Bowes Castle

Bowes Castle
Bowes Castle
Bowes, County Durham, England
	Keep of Bowes Castle
	Bowes Castle
Coordinates	54°31′00″N 2°00′50″W / 54.5168°N 2.0139°W
Grid reference	grid reference NY992135
Site information
Owner	English Heritage
Open to; the public	Yes
Site history
Materials	Stone
Events	Great Revolt of 1173–74

Bowes Castle is a medieval castle in the village of Bowes in County Durham, England. Built within the perimeter of the former Roman fort of Lavatrae, on the Roman road that is now the A66, the early timber castle on the site was replaced by a more substantial stone structure between 1170 and 1174 on the orders of Henry II. A planned village was built alongside the castle. Bowes Castle withstood Scottish attack during the Great Revolt of 1173–74 but was successfully looted by rebels in 1322. The castle went into decline and was largely dismantled after the English Civil War. The ruins are now owned by English Heritage and managed as a tourist attraction. There is free admission during daylight hours.