Northumberland is home to some of the finest medieval castles in England, particularly along the coast, where fortresses such as Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh are situated in striking locations overlooking the sea.
Stronghold of the immensely powerful Percy family, built in 14th century on Norman foundations. This is a real castle, not a Victorian fake, but inside the severity turns to 18th and 19th century opulence. Solid marble staircase. Magnificent art collection, particularly 16th century Italian. Show rooms are incomparably sumptuous.
Alnwick,
Northumberland,
England, NE66 1NQ
A superb example of a late fortified 13th century manor house. Aydon Castle was constructed as a simple manor, but almost immediately fortified in the light of escalating conflict between Scots and English in modern Northumberland. The fortifications did not stop the Scots from sacking Aydon in 1315. The castle changed hands several times over subsequent years.
Corbridge,
Northumberland,
England, NE45 5PJ
A wonderfully situated castle, built atop an outcrop of basalt high above a sandy beach, looking out across the North Sea to the Farne Islands. There has been a castle on this spot since the 6th century, but the current building dates from the 12th century, though it was subsequently heavily restored by the first Lord Crewe in the 1750s and later by the first Lord Armstrong in the late Victorian period. The castle was attacked during the Wars of the Roses, and became the first English castle to surrender to an artillery siege.
Bamburgh,
Northumberland,
England, NE69 7DF
Bellister Castle is not one, but several fortifications located on the south bank of the River Tyne, across from the town of Haltwhistle. The first castle was built on the motte and bailey plan in the late 11th century. Of this, little remains beyond the earthworks and the tall mound of the motte. A second castle, or, more properly, a hall house, was built atop the mound in the 13th or 14th century. Some time later a tower was added to the stone castle, and still later, 16th and 17th century additions helped produce the structure we can see today.
Featherstone,
Haltwhistle,
Northumberland,
England, TD12 4TJ
Belsay Castle is a ruined medieval fortification in the grounds of Belsay Hall. The castle was built sometime in the 14th century by the powerful Middleton family, who were also responsible for the nearby Jacobean mansion and early 19th century hall. The castle is dominated by a tall pele tower. The tower was first and foremost a fortified residence, but it was also built to impress, with a grand great hall. Traces of wall paintings can still seen on the walls of the hall. The castle is a shell, but an imposing shell nonetheless, and it looks out on carefully manicured lawns, with level paths giving access to the Hall and lovely gardens.
Belsay,
Northumberland,
England, NE20 0DX
A ruined 12th century castle built by King David I of Scotland, and later strengthened and extended by Edward I of England. Edward also added the extensive town walls of Berwick, much of which still survive. The castle passed back and forth from Scottish to English hands and back again many times over the following centuries. Elizabeth I rebuilt and strengthened the walls and added two artillery towers. The tower declined in importance after Elizabeth strengthened the town walls, and the stones were used for local buildings. The 13th century White Wall, and the steep stair known as Breakneck Stairs are the only substantial parts of the castle to survive.
Berwick-upon-Tweed,
Northumberland,
England, TD15 1DF
Blenkinsop Castle is a 13th century pele, or tower house, built by the Blenkinsop family. The castle was later incorporated into a 19th century mansion (now demolished). A license to crenelate the castle was granted in 1340, and the Blenkinsops lived here for several centuries before moving to their other properties at Bellister Castle and Dryburnhaugh.
Greenhead,
Northumberland,
England, TD12 4TJ
An 11th century Norman castle probably built by Guy de Ballliol around 1090. The castle stands on the north bank of the River Tyne. The original Norman fortification was later restored and strengthened in the 14th and 15th centuries by the Neville family, with the addition of a curtain wall and gatehouse. The crenellated tower and curtain wall were later built into a 19th century house. The castle is private property, and not usually open to visitors, but it can be viewed easily from the outside.
Bywell,
Northumberland,
England
A partially restored castle on the banks of the River Coquet two miles from the market town of Rothbury. It is not known exactly when the castle was constructed, but the first record of an owner of Cartington Castle comes from 1154. To this early castle a pele tower was added in the 14th century. In 1422 John Cartington was granted a license to crenellate. It was probably this same John Cartington who extended the buildings to include a great hall and courtyard. The castle is on private land, but is visible from surrounding properties.
Cartington,
Northumberland,
England
A superb medieval fortress, rich in historical interest, Chillingham Castle was built in the 13th century as a monastery. Chillingham has been in the hands of the Grey family and their descendants since the year 1246. At the centre of the castle is the Great Hall, an Elizabethan chamber overlooked by a medieval minstrel's gallery. Visit Edward I's room, named for the the visit of Edward in 1298, on his way north to battle William Wallace. There are magnificent state rooms decorated in Elizabethan fashion, while a stark reminder of the castle's past is provided by the dungeons and chilling torture chambers.
Chillingham,
Northumberland,
England, NE66 5NJ
The George Hotel is a country house hotel with beautiful gardens and picturesque walks along the riverside which offers trout and salmon fishing. Located near to Hadrian's Wall, the hotel is an ideal base for exploring the local countryside. All 47 bedrooms are well-equipped. A leisurely evening meal can be … more >>
Situated in the historic town of Alnwick, the hotel has recently undergone a οΎ£3/4 million refurbishment. Oozing character and steeped in history the White Swan offers a unique insight into life in years gone by. For example, the Olympic Suite, salvaged from the SS Olympic, sister ship of the ill … more >>
