Barnard Castle

The handsome market town of Barnard Castle has sights of its own and can also serve as a base for venturing into the Teesdale Valley to the northwest. Its unusual butter-market hall (known locally as Market Cross), surmounted by an old fire-alarm bell, marks the junction of the streets Thorngate, Newgate, and Market Place. Stores, pubs, and cafés line these thoroughfares. In 1838 Charles Dickens stayed at the King's Head Inn here while doing research for his novel Nicholas Nickleby. The local tourist office has a free "In the Footsteps of Charles Dickens" leaflet.