Mighty Northumberland Castles

A legacy of its turbulent past, Northumberland is home to over 70 castle sites, more than any other county in England.

Many have long since succumbed to the elements, whilst others have been restored to their former glory.

In this guide, we explore some of the great fortresses you’ll encounter on your #nland250 journey.

Warkworth Castle

Warkworth is a mighty stronghold crowning the hilltop above the River Coquet.

Though most of the internal part of the castle is in ruins, its 14th Century keep still remains a strong presence at the head of the Warkworth Village.

Standing in the great hall you begin to imagine the great medieval banquets once hosted between these walls.

Alnwick Castle

Known to many younger visitors as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, this iconic Northumbrian fortress has been the principle seat of the Duke & Duchess of Northumberland for over 700 years.

The present buildings are largely medieval and the castle retains its original layout with a circular keep about a courtyard and an inner and outer bailey.

Look out for the miniature stone warriors guarding the parapets. From a distance, they look life‑size and were intended to give the impression of a well‑armed castle.

Dunstanburgh Castle

Dating back to 1313, the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle cling to the cliff edge of a remote headland overlooking the North Sea.

Its crumbling turrets and curtain walls are seen most often in silhouette. But from the South, Dunstanburgh bears its formidable chest.

What remains of Dunstanburgh can be reached by a stunning 1.3-mile walk from the nearby village of Craster.

Chillingham Castle

One of the eeriest and most atmospheric castles you’ll stumble across on your travels around Northumberland.

Said to be the most haunted castle in Europe, the fortification is formed of four intimidating square‑angled towers enclosing a central courtyard. Stern grey walls, dark windows, and an ominous staircase lead you to Chillingham’s Great Hall.

Pay a visit to the dungeons where still visible are lines carved into the walls by prisoners recording their days in captivity. Not for the faint-hearted, the harrowing torture chamber houses various gruesome implements of punishment.

Bamburgh Castle

Undoubtedly England’s finest coastal fortresses, Bamburgh Castle rises spectacularly from the Northumbrian dunes, towering 150 feet above the North Sea.

The fortress has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Its enviable position has provided a valuable vantage point for settlers and since ancient times to the present day, Vikings, Kings, Earls, and Dukes have seized, pounded, and abandoned the castle in various states of ruin.

Standing on Bamburgh’s battery terrace you can enjoy one of the most unspoiled and dramatic coastal panoramas in the UK, with the Farne Islands to the South, the rocky silhouette of Lindisfarne Castle to the North and the golden sands of Bamburgh’s 3‑mile beach below.

Lindisfarne Castle

A journey across the causeway to the Island of Tides rewards you with a fairytale castle like no other in the world.

Crowning a conical‑shaped mound of Whin Sill Rock at the Southern tip of Holy Island, the Castle seemingly rises from the depths of the North Sea.

The spectacular views from the upper battery offer vistas of the characterful harbour, the peaceful village and the ominous Cheviot Hills in the distance.

Mighty Northumberland Castles

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