As an English county, Northumberland seems to have had more than its fair share of castles. This was perhaps due at least in some part due to its proximity to Scotland.
Here are just a few of them.
Alnwick Castle
This stunning medieval castle can be found on the outskirts of the small market town of Alnwick in Nortumberland. The castle overlooks the river Aln and guards a crossing point over the river.
Aydon Castle
Aydon Castle is built on a steep hill, overlooking the Cor Burn valley, to the north-west of Aydon Village in Northumberland. Although called a castle, Aydon Castle was actually a fortified manor house.
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle is located by the seaside village of Bamburgh, Northumberland. Perched on a basalt crag this grand castle towers over the village and surrounding countryside.
Berwick Castle
Chillingham Castle
Reputedly the most haunted castle in England, the medieval castle at Chillingham stands in beautiful parkland in the heart of Northumberland.
Dunstanburgh Castle
Dunstanburgh Castle is a medieval ruined castle protected on two sides by steep cliffs and the sea. It stands near the picturesque seaside village of Craster.
Edlingham Castle
Edlingham Castle is a small castle ruin, with both Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I listed building status, now in the care of English Heritage. It is located in a valley to the west of Alnwick,
Etal Castle
Etal Castle is situated close to a ford over the River Till, in the village of Etal, in north Northumberland. All that remains of the fortress today are the gatehouse a tower house and parts of the curtain wall.
Langley Castle
Langley Castle is a medieval castle in the village of Langley in Northumberland. The four storey H-shaped keep was built in 1350 by Sir Thomas de Lucy.
Lindisfarne Castle
Lindisfarne Castle dates back to the 16th century. It stands atop a rocky crag on Holy Island near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England. Holy Island was accessible at low tide via a causeway from the mainland.
Norham Castle
The first castle at Norham was a wooden motte and bailey structure that was designed to defend the area against the Scots. Standing on the south bank of the river Tweed, it protected a vital ford over the river.
Prudhoe Castle
Prudhoe Castle is situated in the Tyne valley in the town of Prudhoe in Nortumberland. It stands on a steep ridge overlooking the River Tyne and is surrounded to the west and south by a deep 13th century moat.
Warkworth Castle
The castle of Warkworth stands on a hill near the Coquet River, approximately a mile from the river’s entrance to the North Sea. The town and the castle occupied a loop in the river.