Chillingham Castle
Northumberland, England
Photo: TSP, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: TSP, CC BY-SA 4.0 · TSP, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Sir Humphry Wakefield family
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Chathill, 7.8 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Self-catering apartments in the castle
Pinpoint
Chillingham, Alnwick NE66 5NJ
Telephone 01668 215359
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
A medieval fortress restored from near-ruin by Sir Humphry Wakefield and his family, who still live there and let out self-catering apartments within the walls. It has a long-standing reputation - one of the most cited in England - as a haunted castle, built up around its torture chamber and dungeon displays.
At a glance
Who to know
Sir Humphry Wakefield · restored the fortress from near-ruin and still lives there
Worth the trip
The dungeon and torture chamber displays, the centrepiece of Chillingham's reputation as one of England's most talked-about haunted houses.
Before you go
No visitor reviews or rating data were available for this listing - check current opening times and tour arrangements directly before travelling, as access and self-catering bookings are run privately by the family.
What visitors say
Chillingham Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 1,845 Google reviews
Visitors are captivated by the atmosphere of this privately owned, famously haunted castle, praising its eclectic collections and the entertaining, informative ghost tours.
The gardens, lake and woodland walks - with free parking - draw regular mention, as do the deer in the grounds.
Several have also stayed in the castle's self-catering apartments and enjoyed the experience.
“Visited in mid-May and there was lots of bluebells in the woods. The lake walk and on to the woodland walk is lovely with some big old trees and landing stages by the lake. The castle itself is wonderfully eclectic and…”- Andrew Shearsmith, visitor review
Within reach of Newcastle (39 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Walks at Chillingham Castle
Chillingham Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“A nice fountain in the middle of the garden, and a woodland walk plus a lake at the back too Overall we really enjoyed our visit and we'll be coming back soon.”- P O, visitor review
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
Weddings at Chillingham Castle
Chillingham Castle is on our wedding roll because Sir Humphry Wakefield family mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in England, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
late 12th century
Originally a late 12th-century monastery, it was fortified in 1344 under licence from King Edward III. The castle became a residence of the Grey and Tankerville families, then fell into severe disrepair. Sir Humphry Wakefield bought and restored it from near-ruin starting in 1982.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Upon entering the estate, you park up in a woodland area that is free parking.” - P O
- Guided tours
- “Definitely buy the guide book, there is so much history info in it.” - Louise ATKINSON
- Facilities
- “There is a lovely cafe on site and toilet access if required.” - P O
Common questions about Chillingham Castle
Where is Chillingham Castle?
Chillingham Castle is in Northumberland, England, at Chillingham, Alnwick NE66 5NJ.
Do you need a ticket to visit Chillingham Castle?
Yes - Chillingham Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Sir Humphry Wakefield family. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Chillingham Castle?
Yes - Chillingham Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
Are there walks at Chillingham Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “A nice fountain in the middle of the garden, and a woodland walk plus a lake at the back too Overall we really enjoyed our visit and we'll be coming back soon.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Chillingham Castle?
The dungeon and torture chamber displays, the centrepiece of Chillingham's reputation as one of England's most talked-about haunted houses.
