Who owns Bamburgh Castle?

The Armstrong family, descendants of the Victorian industrialist William Armstrong, who bought it in 1894.

Was Bamburgh Castle in The Last Kingdom?

Yes. It was a filming location for the TV series, and Bamburgh (Bebbanburg) is Uhtred's home in Bernard Cornwell's novels.

What is the history of Bamburgh Castle?

The site may have been a royal centre of Bernicia; the Normans built the core of today's castle, which fell to gunfire in 1464 and was restored by William Armstrong from 1894.

Is there a beach at Bamburgh Castle?

Yes, a long sandy beach with dunes lies below the castle.

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Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle stands on a crag of volcanic dolerite, part of the Whin Sill, above the Northumberland coast. The site may have been a royal centre of the early kingdom of Bernicia; the present castle grew from a Norman fortress and was restored by the industrialist William Armstrong from 1894.

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Philip stone

What it is and why it matters

Known in early sources as Din Guarie and later Bebbanburh, the rock has been fortified for well over a thousand years. The Normans built the castle whose core survives today. In 1464, during the Wars of the Roses, it fell after a nine-month siege by the Earl of Warwick, becoming the first British castle taken by gunfire. Victorian industrialist William Armstrong bought it in 1894 and finished restoring it in 1905, and his family still own it. It is Grade I listed and appears as Uhtred's home in Bernard Cornwell's Last Kingdom novels.

Visiting practicalities

The castle is open to the public and sits above Bamburgh village on the B1340. Inside are state rooms and the Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum in the former laundry, which covers William Armstrong, the Armstrong Whitworth company and aviation material from both world wars. Allow two to three hours for the castle and grounds, and check the official website for tickets and seasonal opening before you travel.

Nearby and combining your visit

The wide sandy beach and dunes below the castle are ideal for a walk with the castle rising behind you as a backdrop. Seahouses, where boat trips leave for the Farne Islands, is a short drive south along the coast.

Highlights

Built on a Whin Sill dolerite crag above the sea
First British castle taken by gunfire, in 1464
Restored by William Armstrong between 1894 and 1905
Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum
Grade I listed

Good to know

Still owned by the Armstrong family and open to visitors.
Check opening times and tickets on the official website.
Seahouses, for Farne Islands boats, is nearby along the coast.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: en.wikipedia.org