Northumberland castles & historic sites

Northumberland is home to more castles than any other county in England. The sheer range of castles is amazing. Some castles are still lived in, while others are ancient ruins. But all are fascinating and have their own unique stories to tell. Take Bamburgh Castle, for example. It dates back to the 6th century and was once home to ancient kings. It was completely restored in 1900 and is now home to the Armstrong family. This rich orangey red structure can be seen from miles away, both across the land and from out at sea. Bamburgh continues to yield fascinating secrets from Saxon times as archaeological digs continue to this day.

In contrast, just a few miles south along the coast sits Dunstanburgh Castle. No two castles could be less alike. Dunstanburgh sits in ruins but its grey remains occupy an equally spectacular spot on the Northumberland coast. It is not as old as Bamburgh, and dates back to the 14th century. But its history is equally dramatic. Dunstanburgh was built at a time when relations between King Edward II and Earl Thomas of Lancaster were at loggerheads. Lancaster began construction in 1313, and the latest archaeological research shows Dunstanburgh Castle was built on a much greater scale than originally thought.

Alnwick Castle is another Northumberland castle which is still inhabited. Considered one of the finest medieval castles in Europe, it has been home to the Percys, earls and dukes of Northumberland since the 14th century. The castle has a long, illustrious history and has stood strong while battles and skirmishes were fought in Northumberland. The castle has been at the centre of many key events in English history, including the War of the Roses in the 1400s. It was abandoned in the late 1600s until the family returned one hundred years later and carried out renovations. The castle has featured in a number of films including Elizabeth and Harry Potter films.

One of the most magnificent keeps in the North of England can be found at Warkworth Castle. Much of the keep structure is still intact, despite the rest of the castle being in ruins. Nevertheless, what is left of this once magnificent 12th century stronghold is impressive indeed and sits atop an imposing hill above the River Coquet. The castle and surrounding area began life in Scotland until the area was retaken by Henry II in 1157. This castle was once owned by the Percy family who had great power at one time in the North. Harry ‘Hotspur’ Percy is a dominant character in the first part of Shakespear’s Henry IV and was a constant threat to the Scots who raided the North in the 14th century. Warkworth Castle is a very impressive reminder of Northumberland's turbulent history and can be seen for miles around.