Barnard Castle, River Tees and Egglestone Abbey
County Durham
Barnard Castle is a Teesdale market town built around the ruins of a 12th century castle that was once among the largest in England, with its Balliol Tower still standing above the river. The River Tees runs alongside for much of the route, giving a dog water to drink, though sheep or cattle may be grazing the pasture sections, where a lead goes back on. This 7.4km circuit from Galgate drops to the River Tees by the County Bridge, which has crossed the river for nearly 700 years, and follows the banks downstream through woodland and pasture to Abbey Bridge, built in 1773. Across the river stand the ruins of Egglestone Abbey, founded in 1190 and dissolved in 1536, now cared for by English Heritage and free to visit. The route crosses Thorsgill Beck by Bow Bridge, a cobbled 17th century packhorse bridge, before returning to town. There is about 137 metres of climbing on riverside paths, field paths and town streets.
This dog friendly walk has the Tees alongside for much of the way, for a drink along the way, though the river rises fast after rain and should be treated with respect. The wooded riverbanks give shade and the best chance for a dog with good recall to be off lead. Field sections cross pasture that may hold sheep or cattle, so leads go back on there, and in town by the roads. Barnard Castle has cafes, pubs and toilets close to the start and finish, and the Bowes Museum is a short walk from Galgate.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- River, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafes, pubs and toilets in Barnard Castle; none on the riverside section.
- Parking
- Town centre parking in Barnard Castle, including on Galgate.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Barnard Castle, River Tees and Egglestone Abbey, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
South Lodge - Forcett Hall
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £603 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in County DurhamDog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to Barnard Castle, River Tees and Egglestone Abbey. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
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All dog friendly hotels in County DurhamFrequently Asked Questions
Is Barnard Castle, River Tees and Egglestone Abbey dog friendly?
This 7.4km circular walk scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why — the River Tees runs alongside for much of the route, giving dogs a ready source of water, and the wooded riverbanks offer shade and good off-lead opportunities. Barnard Castle town has cafes, pubs and toilets close to the start and finish, so you and your dog are well looked after before and after the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Barnard Castle, River Tees and Egglestone Abbey?
The wooded riverbank sections offer the best chance for dogs with good recall to run free. However, leads are needed on the field sections, where sheep or cattle may be grazing, and back on in town near the roads — so it's a walk that mixes off-lead stretches with leashed sections rather than being fully free-range throughout.
What should I know before visiting Barnard Castle, River Tees and Egglestone Abbey with my dog?
The River Tees is a lovely constant companion for dogs on this route, but it rises fast after rain and should be treated with respect — keep that in mind if conditions have been wet. There are no facilities on the riverside section itself, so stock up on water in Barnard Castle before you set off, and be prepared to put leads on wherever you encounter livestock in the pasture fields.
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What’s Nearby?
Attraction0.3 mi awayBarnard Castle
Durham
A large baronial fortress above the Tees gorge, with a big open ward for your dog inside the walls and a wooded river walk directly below.
Attraction1.2 mi awayEgglestone Abbey
County Durham
Quiet ruins above a bend in the River Tees, free and usually empty, with a riverside path back into Barnard Castle for you and your dog.
Attraction8.5 mi awayStanwick Iron Age Fortifications
North Yorkshire
An excavated section of the Brigantes' four mile ramparts, part cut into solid rock, on quiet farmland where you and your dog will meet nobody.
Walk9.4 mi awayHamsterley Forest Redway Trail
County Durham
Waymarked forest loop through oak woodland, burns and conifer stands at Hamsterley, dog friendly with plenty of off lead scope on the forest roads.
Attraction10.3 mi awayPiercebridge Roman Bridge
Borough of Darlington
The stone foundations of a Roman bridge stranded in a field because the river moved. A short flat stop, with Tees riverside paths for your dog.
Walk10.7 mi awayReeth to Grinton Circular, Swaledale
North Yorkshire
An easy low-level Swaledale loop between Reeth and Grinton via river meadows and a dramatic suspension bridge, with welcoming pubs at both ends.