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To understand Startforth, you first have to look at the River Tees, which defines it. Though it sits directly across the water from the bustling market town of Barnard Castle, this side of the bank actually belonged to the North Riding of Yorkshire until the boundary changes of 1974. Today, it remains a quieter, primarily residential parish that climbs the hill away from the river. The name itself reflects its practical origins - a ‘street-ford’ where an old Roman road crossed the water. While the dramatic ruins of the castle dominate the view from most garden gates, Startforth has its own distinct character, centered around the local primary school and the remains of the old Low Mill. It is a place of steep lanes and gritstone walls, offering a more peaceful vantage point while remaining just a short walk across the County Bridge from the shops, bakeries, and amenities of 'Barney.' For those who live here, it offers the balance of a rural village feel with the convenience of a town right on the doorstep.