One of the most important museums outside London, the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle contains the greatest collection of European fine art and decorative arts in the north of England. The collections are displayed over three floors of this French-styled building. Look out for the excellent fashion and textiles gallery for its amazing costume displays including the wardrobe of Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III). Highlights of the gallery include The Tears of St Peter by El Greco, Prison Scene by Goya, Trevisani's Portrait of Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, Fruit and Flowers by Fantin Latour and Gruber stained glass panels in triptych.
