Discover Northumberland National Park: A Guide
One of the least-visited of it’s kind, Northumberland National Park is a hidden jewel in the crown of northern...
by Jack Price / Things to do
Northumberland is a treasure trove of history, boasting some of the most impressive and well-preserved castles in the UK.
Whether you are into your history or you are just looking to marvel at the stunning architecture that these fortresses possess, exploring the best castles in Northumberland is a must!
Take a look at our guide to the 8 must-visit castles in Northumberland…
First on the list of the Best Castles in Northumberland is Alnwick Castle, home for the last 700 years to the Duke of Northumberland.
As one of the best days out in Northumberland, Alnwick Castle has a lot to live up to but boy does it, its impressive medieval architecture shines, with the castle itself dating back to 1096 for early construction.
The castle was built to control and protect the border; this has resulted in the castle boasting numerous defences, including 2-metre thick walls, a 7-metre deep moat and thick oak gates. There is plenty more, but I do not want to spoil the joy of finding it all out on your visit. In 1173 and 1174, the castle was attacked by William the Lion, the then King of Scotland. During the second battle, the King of Scotland was captured and ultimately forced to pledge allegiance to King Henry II.
41 TV shows and Movies have been filmed at Alnwick Castle, including Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves and, more recently, Downton Abbey, where it featured as Brancaster Castle. It is probably best known as a filming location for the first two Harry Potter films, where the grounds of Alnwick were highlighted as the outside of Hogwarts.
Want to feel like Harry Potter? At Alnwick Castle, you can head along for broomstick training, which takes place on the castle grounds, the exact same location that Harry did in the first film. As you would expect, this is extremely popular, and tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited availability.
There is a café and gift shop on-site should you wish to enjoy a quick pit stop on your tour and pick up a little reminder of your visit to this stunning location.
Tickets: Adults – £22.80 | Children (5-16 years) – £12.00
Next on the list of the best castles in Northumberland is Bamburgh Castle. This stunning castle, perched on the cliffs of the Northumberland coastline, looks impressive and is also steeped in history.
Bamburgh Castle was home to Henry VI during the War of the Roses, the red rose of Lancaster. After centuries of withstanding a wide variety of battles, it became the first castle in England destroyed by gunfire. The castle is believed to have been occupied for over 10,000 years, evolving from a wooden palisade to the stunning fortification you see now.
Bamburgh Castle was also one of the world’s first ‘coastguard’ stations and the testing location of the world’s first ‘lifeboat’. The First Lord Armstrong purchased it in 1894, and the family still owns it today.
Head out into the castle grounds and hear the sound of the waves crashing underneath you, look along the coastline, and on a good day, you will be able to see the Farne Islands and Holy Island in the distance.
Bamburgh Castle has also starred in a number of film and TV productions, with films including Transformers: The Last Knight to Netflix’s hit The Last Kingdom.
Dogs are welcome at Bamburgh Castle, but they must be well-behaved and kept on a short lead at all times. Food and drink options include a visit to either the Clock Tower Café or the Tack Room Takeaway, which serves a selection of hot and cold food for you to enjoy while marvelling at this magnificent structure.
Tickets: Adults – £17.00 | Children (5-16 years) – £8.50
Chillingham Castle is next on the list of the best castles in Northumberland. This stunning castle offers great halls, staterooms, dungeons, and a very scary torture chamber.
Chillingham Castle has been owned by the same family since the 1200s and became fully fortified in 1344. In 1245, King Henry III came to Chillingham, as did the Kings Edward I and James. Edward I also visited the castle in 1298. After this, a number of Royal visitors have stayed at Chillingham Castle.
Throughout the centuries, the castle’s details and walls have remained unaltered, ensuring that the character of this great castle has remained throughout the years.
Head to the gardens, formed in 1828 and the work of royal designer Sir Jeffry Wyatville, who also designed Windsor Castle. The grounds around the castle also boast cattle, so be on the lookout for them, as well as other animals such as red squirrels, deer, and a wide range of bird and plant life. Both the gardens and surrounding woodland are open during the season.
If you are feeling extra brave, why not head on one of the castle’s ghost tours? Some last into the early hours. Chillingham Castle is also highlighted as one of the most haunted castles in England.
There is a café on-site, open daily from 11am until 5pm. Offering a variety of hot and cold food. Hot food is available at the café until 4pm.
Tickets: Adults – £12 | Children (5-16 years) – £7.00
The first ruin on our list of the best castles in Northumberland to visit is Dunstanburgh Castle, a short walk from the village of Craster, the castle is around a 1.3 mile walk along the Northumberland coastline. This iconic castle ruin was once one of the largest fortifications in Northern England.
Now managed by English Heritage, the castle costs a small fee to enter the grounds and marvel at it. It was originally built in the 14th Century by the wealthiest nobleman in England at the time, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster.
This castle played a role in the Wars of the Roses as a Lancastrian stronghold. However, the fortress fell into disrepair at the end of the Middle Ages.
The castle was also used during the Second World War, the occupation of Norway by the Germans in the summer of 1940 saw Dunstanburgh Castle as a potential site in the possibility of a German invasion along the North-East of England. The defences around the castle grounds at the time included pillboxes (small concrete gun emplacements), anti-tank trenches and a minefield.
The castle also functioned as an observation post for a small detachment of the Royal Armoured Corps.
Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available at the site, but there are a number of cafés and restaurants available in the town of Craster when you return from your adventure!
Tickets: Booked in advance – Adults – £6.50 | Children (5-17 years) – £3.50
Next on the list of the best castles in Northumberland to visit is Etal Castle. Close to the Scottish Border and alongside the river Till, Etal Castle dates back to the 14th Century, with the estate itself going back as early as 1180.
In 1513, the castle was involved in the Battle of Flodden Field. The Scots, led by the Scottish King James IV, had over 30,000 men at their disposal and attacked both Wark and Norham Castles. Once both fell, they turned their attention to Ford and Etal Castle. This was all done while Henry VIII and the English Army were fighting in France.
The defenses of both Ford and Etal Castle were not built to hold off a significant battle, after a very brief attack, the castle fell to the Scots.
On September 9, 1513, the Earl of Surrey brought together an army of around 20,000 men and ultimately defeated the Scots in a tough battle. James and many of his noblemen were killed during the battle.
The castle was given to the crown in 1547 but, over the years, became abandoned and fell into disrepair. English Heritage now looks after the castle.
There are no eateries on-site, but there are a number of cafes and pubs in the town of Etal. After your exploration of Etal Castle, you can head for a walk along the river Till. Why not have a ride on the Heatherslaw Light Railway, which goes alongside the river from Etal Castle to Heatherslaw? It’s around a 20-minute journey each way and is a great way to explore the countryside surrounding Etal Castle.
Tickets: Free to visit
Next on the list of the best Castles in Northumberland to visit is Lindisfarne Castle.
The history of Lindisfarne Castle dates back to the 16th Century, a time of religious and political upheaval. From the 1550s until 1893, the government used Lindisfarne Castle as a defence. During this time, the castle had up to 21 cannons ready to defend against attack.
The castle was important during the 1500s in what was the middle of the Scottish Wars. The castle saw action as part of the Civil Wars and in 1715 in the Jacobite Rebellion. The striking landmark was renovated by Edward Hudson, founder of Country Life Magazine, in the 20th century.
Lindisfarne Castle is now looked after by the National Trust and is open to visitors from March to October each year. However, visiting times may vary due to the tides, so please check before you visit.
For more information on the island, take a look at the best things to do on Holy Island.
Tickets: Adults – £11.00 | Children (5-16 years) – £5.50
Next up is Prudhoe Castle, situated in the Tyne valley in the town of Prudhoe, the castle stands tall, overlooking the River Tyne.
The name Prudhoe actually means “Proud Hill,” which is perfectly named given that is stands in a high position, built originally to stop invasion from the Scots via the river.
Prudhoe Castle was built as part of a number of Norman Castles along the Tyne after the Norman conquest of 1066. It went on to survive two sieges in the 1170s and was lived in for over nine centuries. Prudhoe Castle was famously the only castle in Northumberland to resist the Scots.
Light refreshments and a gift shop are also available at Prudhoe Castle, making it a definite on the list of the best castles in Northumberland.
Tickets: Adults – £7.50 | Children (5-16 years) – £4.00
Last but certainly not least on our guide to the best castles in Northumberland is Warkworth Castle.
Historians believe the castle you see today was probably built around 1200 and was the preferred residence of the Percy family from the 14th to the 17th centuries, who would later become Dukes of Northumberland.
The long war between England and Scotland in the late 13th century saw castles such as Warkworth become vital. With that in mind, royal funding saw the construction and maintenance of private fortresses, but in 1327, the Scots besieged Warkworth.
Warkworth Castle was declared an ancient monument in 1915, and by 1922, it went into state guardianship. The Percy family stayed a part of the castle, having ownership of some of the rooms until 1987.
Take the whole family to this incredible castle, which offers exhibitions, audio tours, wide open spaces in the gardens, and interactive trails to explore. A small facility on-site sells tea and coffee, and there is also a small gift shop to remember your visit.
So explore Warkworth Castle today and explore the history of this stunning region of the UK.
Tickets: Adults – £8.50 | Children (5-16 years) – £4.50
There are over 70 castles in the county of Northumberland. So whether you are looking for old ruins to explore or a complete castle standing tall along the coastline, Northumberland has it all.
The oldest castle in Northumberland is Bamburgh Castle, although you would not know it. Although it is over 1,400 years old, it is still one of the prettiest castles in Northumberland and maybe the whole of the UK.
With its close border to Scotland, Northumberland was always under threat from invasion. Whether it be from the Vikings in the early years or from the Scots in the coming centuries, there was a need for protection and fortification; this is why Northumberland is home to more castles than anywhere else across England.
Get ready to head back in time and explore these wonderful castles in the stunning region of Northumberland!
If you want to explore the county in more detail, take a look at the best things to do in Northumberland.
Stay in Northumberland in style, like a King or Queen and view a collection of luxury cottages in Northumberland. Or make sure you have a hot tub ready to retire back to in the evening with a selection of hot tub cottages.
Check out the full collection of Northumberland cottages!
by Jack Price / Things to do
I joined the Sykes team in November 2021, helping to produce content for existing and potential owners. I love a good film, tr...
Read More About Author
One of the least-visited of it’s kind, Northumberland National Park is a hidden jewel in the crown of northern...
A pint-sized tidal island sitting off the coast of Northumberland, there’s a wonderful collection of things to do on...
Idylically positioned amongst some of the most awe-inpsiring and dramatic landscapes in England, it’s easy to see why visitors...
