OS grid reference NY995135 Region North East Sovereign state United Kingdom Dialling code 01833 | Ceremonial county County Durham Country England Local time Friday 11:26 AM UK parliament constituency Bishop Auckland | |
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Population 471 (2011, including Gilmonby) Weather 4°C, Wind SE at 16 km/h, 92% Humidity | ||
Bowes is a village in County Durham, England. Located in the Pennine hills, it is situated close to Barnard Castle. It is built around the medieval Bowes Castle.
Contents
Map of Bowes, Barnard Castle, UK
Civic history
Bowes lies within the historic county boundaries of the North Riding of Yorkshire, but along with the rest of the former Startforth Rural District it was incorporated into the non-metropolitan county of Durham for administrative purposes on 1 April 1974, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972.
The A66 and A67 roads meet at Bowes.
History
The Roman name for Bowes was Lavatrae. A Roman army station was located there.
The only pub in the village, The Ancient Unicorn, is reputed to be haunted by several ghosts. The pub has closed down as of 2014. This 17th-century coaching inn famously played host to Charles Dickens as he toured the local area. Dickens found inspiration in the village academy, which he immortalised as Dotheboys Hall in Nicholas Nickleby; and the graves of two of the people who inspired characters portrayed by the great author remain in Bowes churchyard to this day.
Until the 1960s, the village was served by Bowes railway station.
Education
Bowes has a single primary school at the centre of the village, Bowes Hutchinson's C of E (Aided) Primary School.
Notable people
Thomas Kipling (bap. 1745, d. 1822), dean of Peterborough, was born in Bowes.
John Bailey (1750–1819), mathematician and land surveyor was born in Bowes.
Richard Cobden (1804–65), the famous manufacturer and politician, was schooled in Bowes.