Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England. Due to its position on the northeast coast it was constantly attacked by the Vikings and Scots and has played pivotal parts in many turbulent periods of British history.

Most notably, Northumberland was where the Vikings first landed in England and attacked the nearby Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island, spreading shockwaves of horror across the continent and heralding a new period of British history. To read more about Lindisfarne and Holy Island, have a look at my trip report.

Why Does Northumberland Have So Many Castles?

• The frequent battles and invasions led to the construction of fortresses to defend the territory.
• Threats of raids from Scotland required defensive castles along the border.
• The castles were built on high points along the coastline to maximise the impenetrability.
• After the conquest of 1066 the Normans built castles to assert their power over England.

From family homes to ruins, there are 70 castle sites in Northumberland. Some have succumbed to the elements, some have been restored to their former glory. All are fascinating places in their own right, but here are my favourite castles to visit in Northumberland.

Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunstanburgh is the largest castle in Northumberland. Built in the 14th century and sadly now only a ruin, the castle sits in a remote position on a stunning coastal headland. On a clear day the views are stunning.

Dunstanburgh can only be accessed via a 1.5 mile coastal walk from the village of Craster. The walk along the coast is part of the appeal of visiting the castle, with open countryside on one side and the sea on the other.

Once you reach the castle you can explore the ruins of this once-magnificent castle including the Great Gatehouse, which is the best-preserved part of the castle.

Read my full guide to Dunstanburgh Castle here.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is a large and superbly well-preserved castle in the town of Alnwick. Built in the 11th century and still the seat of the Duke of Northumberland, the castle has been lived in by the Percy family for 700 years.

You may recognise Alnwick from various film and TV appearances including its role as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and as the backdrop to the first series of Blackadder.

There’s a lot to do at Alnwick Castle, including touring the State Rooms, the castle museums and the grounds where you can try archery and have a broomstick lesson.

Alnwick Castle is a great family day out, and don’t forget to take some time to also explore the pretty market town of Alnwick with its cobbled streets.

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK and is perched atop a rocky headland right on the beach. This once impenetrable fortress is a looming presence watching over the village of Bamburgh. It’s still lived in by the Armstrong family who are committed to preserving its priceless contents and legacy.

If you’ve watched The Last Kingdom TV show you’ll recognise Bamburgh as Bebbanburg, Uhtred’s beloved home. In fact inside the castle there is a temporary exhibit displaying props and costumes from the show.

With an incredible amount of history on display and majestic state rooms you can walk through, Bamburgh is perhaps Northumberland’s most iconic castle. Don’t miss the magnificent views of the castle from the large green in the village, and from the beach.

Read more about my visit to Bamburgh here.

Langley Castle Hotel

If you’ve ever wanted to stay overnight in a medieval castle, Langley Castle Hotel is the place for you. Built in the 14th century and now run as a luxurious 4 star hotel, the castle stays true to its medieval roots. Visitors can get a taste of medieval castle life with all the modern luxuries of the 21st century.

Check out my full review of Langley Castle Hotel here.

We recently visited these castles as part of a month-long road trip around England. Read the full trip reports here.

What Castles Have You Visited in Northumberland?

Let me know in the comments below!