Brancepeth is a village in County Durham, about 5 miles from Durham on the road towards Weardale. Brancepeth Castle is a fine mediaeval castle, until 1570 the fortress of the Neville Earls of Westmorland. The Castle was extensively modified and rebuilt in the 19th century. St. Brandon's Church used to have fine 17th century woodwork until it was destroyed in a major fire in 1998.