Due to the current situation we strongly recommend that you contact places direct that you wish to visit to make sure they are open.
Thomas Wright House is situated in the heart of the small village of Byers Green, in a quiet rural setting off the A688 between Durham and Bishop Auckland.
This newly renovated building ; formerly The Marquis of Granby was renamed 20 years ago in recognition of Thomas Wright, ‘native of Byers Green , natural Philosopher ‘. It is set back from the High Street opposite the Village Green with a large front car park. The rear garden and sitting area look across open countryside; with panoramic views towards the West from the first floor bar/lounge.
The village of Byers Green Village is situated within 20 minutes’ drive of the historic city of Durham with its mainline rail link, and 10 minutes’ drive from Bishop Auckland, home of the Prince Bishops at Auckland Castle which plays host to the magical Kynren spectacular in August and September 2020.
Kynren is a dramatic re-telling of English history featuring horse-drawn chariots, Viking longships, battling armies, jousting knights, a full-sized recreation of Locomotion 1, joyous celebrations and heart-breaking tragedies. New for 2020 – The Park is an exciting new development offering visitors an action-packed afternoon of thrilling and fun experiences including a truly spectacular Horse Stunt Show, immersive family attractions, live music and all-new dining options.
Byers Green at the gateway to the Durham Dales provides an ideal central location to explore the attractions of the North East from hills to coast. Country walks from the door, fishing on the River Wear (permits available) and cycle tracks. The wild beauty of Weardale and Teesdale; historical splendour at Raby Castle and Bowes Museum; industrial heritage at Killhope, Beamish and Shildon all within an hours drive; a little further Keilder Water, Hadrians Wall, the Northumberland Coast and the Lake District.
The village has no shops, the nearest shop being 2 miles away; but we serve food Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Located in the grounds of Thomas Wright House is “Hidden Beauty” offering a variety of beauty treatments.
Bishop Auckland
Within walking distance of Byers Green along the Auckland Way Railway Path, Bishop Auckland is the home of Auckland Castle and Deer Park and the centre of an exciting local regeneration project, Eleven Arches.
Auckland Castle is one of the UK’s most important historical buildings. Since the days of the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century, Auckland Castle has been a seat of power. For almost 900 years, it has been the palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham. Thomas Wright designed the Deer Park for Bishop Trevor in 1757.
The tourist information center is housed in the impressive Flemish style Town Hall in Market Place with library, art gallery, events & shows, popular cafe with excellent cheese scones!
Also within the immediate area are:
Escomb Church and Binchester Roman Fort, with an exceptional Bath House was first’dug in the 1870’s under the auspices of Rev Hooppell of Byers Green. Archeological digs that many locals are involved in as volunteers take place every summer – there is much more to discover at this extensive site.
Durham City
Durham City of course; consider driving via Spennymoor (A167, turn right onto A177) and using Howlands Park and Ride DH1 3TQ buses every 10 minutes till 7pm, and only £2 per person, Durham City isn’t really for cars !
Musts are the Cathedral & Castle on Palace Green, UNESCO World Heritage Site ;Oriental Museum; walk by the river or take a boat, good shopping and interesting indoor market, lots of cafes, Gala Theatre and Cinema, Botanical Gardens and Crook Hall.
Main East Coast rail line – Newcastle only 10 minutes, rather than driving & parking in the city.
York 45 minutes, Edinburgh 2 hours, fabulous Northumberland coastal scenery on the way, and London less than 3 hours. Make sure you book ahead for the longer journeys to get a good price. www.eastcoast.co.uk and www.thetrainline.com
Raby Castle
One of England’s finest medieval castles, home of Lord Barnard; just outside Staindrop on the way to Barnard Castle.
Well worth a visit for all the family with architecture and rich interiors spanning the ages set in acres of Deer Park- with deer- and walled gardens with links to Thomas Wright of Byers Green.
Find out more about Raby Castle here
Barnard Castle
A small old fashioned market town on the River Tees with the original castle remains an English Heritage site. Here you will find interesting independent shops, and many antique shops including one owned by David Harper of TV fame.
Market on the cobbled main street every Wednesday.
Farmers Market 1st Saturday of the month
Charles Dickens stayed here in 1838 . He is said to have based characters in Nicholas Nickelbey on people he met with William Shaw, who ran one of the notoriously harsh ‘Yorkshire schools’ in the town being the inspiration for Wackford Squeers.
Find out more about Barnard Castle here.
BOWES MUSEUM a short walk on the edge of Barnard Castle
A French chateau, created in the late 19thC , housing the exquisite treasures of John and Josephine Bowes and added to over the centuries. Internationally renowned permanent collections of paintings and ceramics, with important visiting exhibitions
WEARDALE – follow the River Wear going West towards wild open moorland country, once the home of leadminers and quarryworkers ;still the home of hill sheep farmers .You will pass through the villages of Wolsingham – traditional 2 day Agricultural Show the first weekend in September. Frosterley where black limestone was dug for 700years from Rogerley Quarry, the Frosterley Marble of Durham cathedral. Stanhope with it’s fossil tree in the market place, and Open Air swimming pool (summer only & heated!) St John’s Chapel call into The Chatterbox Cafe, and Weardale Museum (limited opening, check website).
From here you can ‘go over the tops’ for spectacular scenery on your way to Teesdale (return to Byers Green via Barnard Castle) or continue on ‘up the Dale’, just as scenic, past Wearhead to Killhope Lead Mining Museum and on across the moors to Alston in Cumbria.
BEAMISH The Living Museum of the North.
Travel by tram through this vast open air museum that tells the story of North East people in Georgian,Victorian and Edwardian times. Most of the houses, shops and buildings you visit have been dismantled and rebuilt as they originally were from across the region. Guests can enjoy 25% off entrance fees to Beamish ask us for complimentary vouchers during your stay.
SALTBURN – the seaside! The world’s oldest water balanced cliff tramway to take you to the wide sands, often surfing, a long pier and tales of smugglers, this was a favoured Victorian resort. Don’t miss the second hand bookshop at the top of Amber Street. You can take the train from Bishop Auckland, but that’s more than an hour and not very scenic.
NEWCASTLE – the city ! (only 10 minutes by train from Durham) Super shopping and nightlife, theatres, cinemas & concert venues, museums and art galleries. A compact city, easy to walk around.
If you like playing golf the nearest course is at Brancepeth , about 10 minutes drive away,it was designed by Harry Croft in 1924 and laid out on what was Brancepeth Castle Deer Park.
There are other courses at Crook and Bishop Auckland.
Quality Fishing is on your doorstep, only a short stroll down to the River Wear, and courtesy of Bishop Auckland Angling Club, we have Thomas Wright House fishing permits available at a special day rate.
The seasons are:
- Salmon Feb 1 to Oct.31
- Sea Trout April 3 to Oct 31
- Brown Trout March 22 to Sept 30
- Grayling June 16 to March 15 the following year
Lots of opportunities for Cycling and local cycle hire, as well as Walking.
You will find more information about all these activities in your Cottage Information Pack.