County guide · The Castle Rolls
Best castles in Northumberland
15 castles survive in Northumberland — the highest concentration of any English county, a legacy of thirteen centuries as the most fought-over border in Britain.
15Castles listed here
Map
Every castle on this list — 15 in total, 5 free to enter, 4 you can stay overnight in
| Castle | Access | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamburgh Castle | Ticketed | 4.7 (19,110) | The view of the castle from the beach below - reviewers consistently rate the exterior,… |
| Alnwick Castle | Ticketed | 4.6 (15,737) | The library-like Book Room, which reviewers consistently flag as the best-designed… |
| Warkworth Castle and Hermitage | Ticketed | 4.6 (4,082) | The Great Hall, with reviewers recommending the guidebook for its reconstruction… |
| Lindisfarne Castle | Ticketed | 4.5 (3,624) | The seal colony visible from the castle grounds on the right day, alongside the Lutyens… |
| Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens | Ticketed | 4.7 (2,677) | The Quarry Garden, cut into the old stone quarry and planted up - reviewers repeatedly… |
| Dunstanburgh Castle | Ticketed | 4.6 (2,357) | The coastal walk itself - several reviewers say the approach across the headland, with… |
| Langley Castle | Hotel guests only | 4.7 (1,279) | The battlements tour, the one way to see inside without staying or eating there, and it… |
| Etal Castle | Free | 4.3 (1,106) | The miniature railway link to Heatherslaw Mill - reviewers flag it as a fun, unexpected… |
| Prudhoe Castle | Free | 4.2 (653) | The position above the river, which several reviewers say is worth the trip even without… |
| Norham Castle | Free | 4.5 (607) | The wooded walk around the site, which reviewers rate highly even when the main structure… |
| Berwick-upon-Tweed Castle and Ramparts | Free | 4.5 (600) | The full ramparts walk - reviewers say it beats the castle ruins themselves for both… |
| Edlingham Castle | Free | 4.6 (576) | The setting - reviewers repeatedly describe the walk down through the church and along… |
| Aydon Castle | Ticketed | 4.4 (514) | The restored interior floors - reviewers who've seen plenty of English Heritage ruins say… |
| Morpeth Castle | Hotel guests only | 4.3 (24) | The spiral staircase to the upper levels, open on Landmark Trust open days, when… |
| Chillingham Castle | Ticketed | — | The dungeon and torture chamber displays, the centrepiece of Chillingham's reputation as… |