Castles of Northumberland

If there's one thing Northumberland is famous for, it's castles.

In fact, we have more castles than any other county in England. Some stand proudly overlooking the sea, others guard peaceful rivers, while a few are little more than romantic ruins waiting to be discovered. Together, they tell the story of centuries spent defending England's northern border.

Growing up here, castles weren't somewhere we travelled miles to visit—they were simply part of life. Even now, after travelling all over the world, I never tire of seeing them.

Bamburgh Castle

For me, Bamburgh Castle is impossible to beat.

Standing high above one of Britain's most beautiful beaches, it's one of those places that leaves you speechless every time you arrive. Whether you explore inside or simply enjoy the view from the beach below, it's a landmark that captures everything I love about Northumberland.

Dunstanburgh Castle

If you're prepared for a walk, Dunstanburgh Castle is something really special.

The route from Craster follows one of my favourite stretches of coastline, eventually revealing the dramatic ruins standing proudly on the headland. On a sunny day, with the waves crashing below, it's easy to imagine what life must have been like hundreds of years ago.

Warkworth Castle

Warkworth has always been one of my favourite villages.

Its impressive castle sits above the beautiful River Coquet before the river winds its way towards the sea. You can spend the morning exploring the castle, enjoy lunch in one of the lovely cafés or pubs, then wander down to the beach or take a walk along the river. It's one of those places where it's easy to lose an entire day.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is probably Northumberland's most famous.

Known to millions as Hogwarts from the Harry Potter films, it's still home to the Percy family and combines medieval history with beautiful gardens, falconry displays and family events throughout the year. It's one of those attractions that appeals to children and adults alike.

Chillingham Castle

Then there's Chillingham...

Widely regarded as Britain's most haunted castle, it's certainly unlike anywhere else I've visited. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the atmosphere inside is unforgettable. During one visit I took photographs that appeared to show things that simply weren't there at the time. I'll let you decide what to make of that!

So many more to discover...

These are only the beginning.

There are dozens more castles scattered across Northumberland, from the striking Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island to the ruins of Norham, the peaceful setting of Etal Castle, the medieval towers of Prudhoe and many hidden gems tucked away across the countryside. With more than 70 castle sites across the county, every trip uncovers somewhere new to explore.

As I continue my travels around my home county, I'll be adding more castles, more photographs and plenty of stories from each visit.

If you love history, breathtaking scenery and places with incredible stories to tell, I don't think there's a better county in England to explore than Northumberland's castles. ❤️