Surrounded by 9ha of gardens, the Bowes Museum is a French-style castle constructed in 1869 to house the rich art collection (pictures, tapestries, furniture, ceramics, costume and books) amassed by John Bowes and his wife Josephine. Among the finest examlpes is The Tears of St Peter by El Greco, two works by Goya and 19C French pictures (Le Primatice, Boucher, Boudin and Courbet).