📌 Prudhoe, Northumberland
★★★
Prudhoe Castle sits on a motte and bailey site above the River Tyne, 10 miles to the west of Newcastle city centre. It’s one of a chain of Norman castles guarding this west-east water course, and has the notable distinction of being the only Northumberland castle never to be taken by the Scots – withstanding two sieges in 1173 and 1174. Originally belonging to the Umfravilles, the Percy family (and Earls of Northumberland) later took ownership and carried out major restorations, but the buildings mostly fell into ruin by the 1770s. A Georgian mansion now overlies some of the internal buildings, and today houses exhibitions about the castle. What about the rest of the site? Highlights include the imposing gatehouse, chapel and excellent views of the curtain wall from the outside.
🌍 Location
📌 Station Road, Prudhoe, 0.5 mi north of Prudhoe town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NZ 092634
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 54.965168,-1.858346
🚆 Prudhoe | 🚌 Station Road at castle entrance
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Wednesday to Sunday, April to 3 November 2024, plus bank holidays
🎫 £8.10+ adult / £4.50+ child depending on season / free for English Heritage members – discount for booking online in advance
