Scheduled monuments in County Durham

There are 292 scheduled monuments in County Durham, in North East England.^[1] These protected sites date from the Neolithic period in some cases and include barrows, a medieval hospital, ancient Roman sites, castle ruins, Iron Age forts, bridges and Anglo-Saxon crosses.^[2] In the United Kingdom, the scheduling of monuments was first initiated to ensure the preservation of "nationally important" archaeological sites or historic buildings. Protection is given to scheduled monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.^[3]

Notable scheduled monuments in County Durham

Image	Name	Location	Date	Notes
	Barnard Castle	The market town called Barnard Castle	early 12th century AD	In 1474, Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III became lord of the castle by right of his wife, Anne Neville. It was of his favourite residences.[4]
	Binchester Roman Fort	Bishop Auckland	79AD	The fort was established to guard the crossing of the River Wear by Dere Street, the main Roman road between York, Hadrian's Wall and Scotland.[5]
	Bowes Castle	Bowes	12th century AD	Built on the site of the former Roman fort of Lavatrae. Bowes is the first of three Norman castles on the Stainmore Pass.[6]
	Kepier Hospital	Kepier	1112 AD	Originally known as the Hospital of St Giles, established as an almshouse for old men in 1112 AD.[7]
	Longovicium	Lanchester	2nd century AD	Most of what is known about the site has been determined from studying the large number of altars, dedication slabs and a milestone dedicated to emperor Gordian III uncovered half a mile away from the fort.[8][9]
	Maiden Castle	Durham	Iron Age	Promontory fort with remains of earthworks, covering a 2-acre (0.81 ha) hill top site near Durham city centre.[10][11]

See also

• List of scheduled monuments
• List of World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom