Promotion

Discover mighty Bamburgh Castle

January 5, 2016

Bamburgh-Castle-web — Bamburgh Castle, Northumbria

Visit the King of Castles on the stunning Northumbrian coastline with a history stretching back to 600AD.

PROMOTION

Bamburgh, the King of Castles, is a mighty fortress dominating the Northumbrian coastline, at the heart of the Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Around 600AD the first written records tell of a wooden palisade surrounding the hill top as Bamburgh became the capital of Northumbria, a mighty Anglo-Saxon kingdom.

It was from here that Christianity spread out across England, introduced by the king, Oswald, later to become St Oswald, and the monk Aiden also a saint. In the early 1100s a great Norman tower was erected on the site followed by centuries of building and re-building as the castle evolved.

The-Cross-Hall — The Cross Hall, Bamburgh Castle

Its last incarnation was paid for by the brilliant inventor and industrialist 1^st Lord Armstrong who bought the castle for £8000 in 1894 and spent over £1,000,000 restoring it and creating the ultimate English castle.

It wasn’t until after the Second World War that it was opened for the first time to the public for two or three afternoons a week and welcomed a few hundred visitors each year. Over the years, this number has grown and Bamburgh, now open all year round welcomes over 140,000 visitors each year.

There are 14 State Rooms to explore including the stunning Kings Hall, built on the original medieval great hall with its amazing teak beamed roof. Visitors will discover more than 3,000 items on display. There paintings, pieces of artwork, furniture, arms and armour and an incredible collection of china and porcelain.

Housed in the old Victorian laundry is Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum. This wonderful collection of models and artefacts gives us a glimpse into the life of the 1^st Lord Armstrong and his achievements. The aviation artefacts span two world wars and include pieces from several crashed aircraft including a Spitfire.

kingshallweb — The Kings Hall, Bamburgh Castle

Outside visitors can enjoy the spectacular views from the Battery Terrace complete with canons. In the summer months the country’s most important Anglo-Saxon excavations take place, offering visitors the opportunity to watch live archaeology and share in the excitement of new finds.

Throughout the year there is an ongoing programme of live events with re-enactors, living history and traditional crafts and outdoor theatre.

The cafeteria offers light meals and refreshments with lots of local produce and the gift shop stocks hundreds of locally made products and souvenirs.