Barnard Castle has been branded a “must visit” for all tourists to the UK by a Netherlands Historian for its rich history and beauty.
The Dutch teacher has shone an international spotlight on Barnard Castle in County Durham, calling it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history or culture.
Manon Schouten, an avid historian who runs a YouTube channel where she visits historical places, visited Barnard Castle in February 2024 to film the project.
Gary Bankhead and Manon Schouten (Image: MANON SCHOUTEN) Despite the wintery conditions, she found the cold and early darkness of the UK added a unique charm to the experience.
Gary Bankhead, an Underwater Archaeologist from County Durham, welcomed Manon to the UK after they had previously worked together on a project.
In the video, her and Gary Bankhead who is from County Durham, explore how Barnard Castle evolved into an important trading hub, offering a fascinating lens for her students in the Netherlands to study the town’s urban development and historical trade connections.
The video is part of an educational assignment Manon has created for her students in the Netherlands.
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The task is to analyse Barnard Castle’s growth and major historical events, so that the students can then compare it to Dutch cities like Alkmaar or Haarlem, hopefully sparking discussions about how towns develop into economic and political centres.
Manon said: “Barnard Castle is a place that truly has something for everyone. It should be a stop on the way for any tourist visiting the UK because of its rich history as a trading hub that I believe extends far beyond the region.”
(Image: MANON SCHOUTEN) To view the video and learn more about the fascinating history of Barnard Castle, visit Manon’s YouTube channel @AlomHistorisch.