County Durham is a non-metropolitan county of historic starting point in North East England. The County is still known as the 'Land of the Prince Bishops' referring to the period in history when the Bishops of Durham were approved the right to rule this part of northern England. The county has an industrial heritage and its economy was historically based on coal and iron mining. It is an area of revival and promoted as a tourist destination. Tourism in County Durham often begins in the Durham Dales in the west of the County, one of Britain's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The county had a number of exclaves: Bedlingtonshire, Islandshire and Norhamshire within Northumberland, and Craikshire within the North Riding of Yorkshire. Visit the Bowes Museum, an inspiring mansion in the style of a French chateau, which houses one of the finest collections of European art, ceramics and furniture. A few miles to the north is Raby Castle, whose history dates back nearly 1000 years. You can walk the 11 mile Durham coastal footpath, enjoying fine views. Grassland meadows, wooded valleys and wildlife habitats have been restored and east County Durham has been designated a Heritage Coast.