chloedickensonAD | This post about Bamburgh Castle Northumberland contains experiences that were gifted on a press basis, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more.
Over the years, I’d heard so many people rave about Alnwick Castle in Northumberland and how it was one of the must-see castles in the UK, but I’d only really ever heard Matt mention Bamburgh Castle from his childhood trips to Northumberland with his family.
When researching for our trip to Northumberland, I came across numerous pictures and travel guides about Bamburgh Castle and it immediately went to the top of my Northumberland bucket list. After visiting the castle twice now, I’m fairly confident in saying that it’s one of the most breathtaking and mesmerising castles I’ve ever seen, and I think I’d even go as far as to say that it’s the best castle in Northumberland!
As part of our press trip with Visit Northumberland last month, we paid a visit to the stunning Bamburgh Castle and as soon as I saw it, I couldn’t wait to start writing this guide! If you’re planning a trip to Northumberland and you want to add Bamburgh Castle to your list of places to visit, check out my ultimate guide to Bamburgh Castle below for plenty of tips and inspiration!
The history of Bamburgh Castle
The very beginnings of Bamburgh Castle can be traced all the way back to Anglo-Saxon era, when it was originally a fort that passed between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons three times.
Over the many years since then, it has suffered bloody and brutal attacks, battles and wars and thanks to its location and close proximity to the Scottish borders, it became an important border garrison throughout the many battles that Britain faced.
It’s also served as the home to many monarchs, including King Henry VI during the War of the Roses and the castle became the first in England to be destroyed by gunfire.
In 1610 it was gifted to Claudius Forster who was the last-standing royal keeper of Bamburgh Castle and despite belonging to royal inhabitants for over 1200 years, the cost of upkeep was too high and so it passed into private hands. Upon the death of the Forster family, Bamburgh Castle was put into the hands of several different trustees over the years, until it was passed to the Armstrong family who still inhabit the mighty fortress today and keep everything running smoothly so that visitors from near and far can enjoy the spectacular feat!
Castle grounds and views
The mighty Bamburgh Castle stronghold and its magnificent nine acres of noble land sit atop the Great Whin Sill, 45-metres above sea level.
Amongst the spectacular grounds, you’ll find St. Peter’s Chapel, a windmill, ancient lookout points, cannons, archaeological digs, and of course, the most beautiful sea views.
Simply just walking around the grounds of Bamburgh Castle is a pleasure, especially on a clear and semi wind-free day when you can see all the way out to sea, and sometimes even as far out as Holy Island!
The Keep
Bamburgh Castle’s impressive keep is a mighty feat in itself, with it being the oldest remaining part of the castle structure. It’s reinforced by 11ft thick walls to the front and 9ft thick walls everywhere else, and it also sits on a giant plinth to prevent any attackers from digging underneath it or setting it on fire!
Given its age and all the battles it’s been through, I’d say it’s done a pretty good job of standing the test of time!
State rooms
The state rooms at Bamburgh Castle are an enigma in themselves and they contain a plethora of mysterious artefacts and heirlooms from years gone by.
Throughout the state rooms, you’ll find a collection of souvenirs, dating all the way back to the castle’s origins, right through the royal inhabitancy of the castle, plus mementos from guests and visitors to Bamburgh Castle over the years.
King’s Hall
Renowned as a Victorian masterpiece, the imposing King’s Hall was built on the foundations of the medieval Great Hall and to this day, it remains as one of the most alluring and stunning parts of the entire castle complex. The colossal beam ceiling is made from teak from Thailand and you could happily wander around the room, mouth-agape just staring up at the impressive structure.
The Armoury
As we were walking around Bamburgh Castle, we kept bumping into a member of staff who was the kindest gentleman who was so excited to tell us more about the castle, its history and its fascinating contents.
While I’m really not much of a weapons fan, the Armoury was one of the most intriguing parts of the castle, especially when we learned that a vast majority of the weapons inside the Armoury had traces of DNA on them which proved that they were involved in numerous battles throughout time. Approximately 7-9 different samples of blood were found on around 75% of the weapons inside the Armoury, which while rather disturbing, is quite fascinating and is a test of the advancements of the amazing technology we have available today to see these kinds of things.
The Cross Hall
The Cross Hall was my favourite part of the interiors at Bamburgh Castle and it’s exactly the kind of room you imagine to be inside a castle as old and elegant as Bamburgh.
Ornately decorated, the Cross Hall includes a Tudor-style fireplace, numerous tapestries and giant globes that make the room feel as grand as the people who would have once inhabited it.
The Library at Bamburgh Castle
The library at Bamburgh Castle is more of a glorified pool room, but if you look past the awesome pool table, you’ll find collections of works from the mid-17th and 18th centuries.
Opening times
Please be aware that opening times at Bamburgh Castle are subject to change and please check the necessary Covid restrictions and booking policies before visiting the castle.
- Daily – 10am-5pm (last entry at 4pm).
Ticket prices at Bamburgh Castle Northumberland
One great thing to note about Bamburgh Castle, and in fact, the village of Bamburgh itself, is that there are numerous places to park, with the Links Road Car Park having many car parking spots that are ideal for cars, vans, campers, motorhomes and more.
However, you can pay to park at the actual Bamburgh Castle car park which is just up the hill towards the castle. This costs just £4 for the whole day and even if you don’t spend the entire day at the castle and want to wander into Bamburgh village, you can still leave your car there. Spaces do get snapped up quickly here however, so just be aware of that before you visit. If the official Bamburgh Castle car park is full, you can park at the Links Road Car Park, although this is more expensive at £4.50 for 3 hours or £7 for all day.
In terms of ticket prices to get into Bamburgh Castle and grounds, check out the different admission fees below.
- Adults – £12.50
- Children (5-16) – £6.15
- Under 4s – free
Thank you so much to Visit Northumberland for providing us with complimentary tickets to Bamburgh Castle, we had an incredible time and it’s definitely a place that I can see myself returning to time and again over the years.
Related posts:
- The Best Things To Do In Northumberland – Top Sights & Attractions
- The Best Places To Eat and Drink In Northumberland
- The Ultimate Guide To Alnwick Castle – Everything You Need To Know
- Doxford Barns Farmhouse Lodge – Best Places To Stay In Northumberland
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Is Bamburgh Castle on your Northumberland bucket list? What’s your favourite castle in Northumberland? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram @imjustagirl_16.
