Amenities Barnard Castle

The nearest shop to the Mill is the Peel House at Greta Bridge, Barnard Castle, three miles away on the A66 which is a complex offering quality meat, delicatessen, vegetables, coffee shop, wine for sale and hampers.

For a special occasion hamper to greet you on your arrival contact Sue Ellwood at www.trencherman.co.uk.  If you let us know when you book we can order a bag of mixed organic local vegetables to be ready for you on arrival.  Price on application.

Also at Greta Bridge is the closest bar – in the Morritt Arms Hotel which is well worth a visit for the original murals painted in the Bar room. These are listed and are of some artistic merit. They represent the amusing goings on in a public bar. Good quality meals are also served.

Recommended restaurants within Teesdale are the Rose and Crown in Romaldkirk and Blagraves House in Barnard Castle.   The Fox and Hounds at Cotherstone does an excellent Sunday lunch.

Barnard Castle (Barney) is the local Market Town and is under five miles away in the centre of Teesdale. It has a supermarket and all the usual local shops including three butchers and fruit and vegetable shop. There is a market on Wednesday mornings and a Farmers Market monthly. It is the main market town in Teesdale although Middleton in Teesdale, smaller and higher up the Dale, is well worth a visit.

There is a GP surgery in Barnard Castle, several dentists, a tourist information centre and a library. Also a Sports complex.

The local paper is the Teesdale Mercury (Google their website to find out what will be happening when you come to stay) which comes out on Wednesdays and punches far above its weight. Buy it to find out what makes Barney tick… The local humorous columnist Barney Liar is a must-read.The newspaper office is on Horsemarket in Barney.

In the late summer there are many local agricultural shows which you will find advertised in the Mercury and they are the perfect way to experience traditional life in the Dales – Reeth is very good for sheep enthusiasts (did you know a top class Swaledale tup with a good pedigree is worth thousands?) and Bowes show not to be missed for carriage driving and horse showing.

Here you will find local farmers hanging over the pens prodding the animal inmates gently and chewing over their merits and demerits and be able to see all kinds of local produce in hot competition for the judges attention. There are also craft displays and draws such as terrier racing and duck herding which vary from year to year.

Barnard Castle is a bit of a Northern Mecca for antique shops and craft shops and art galleries are getting established.