Inside Bamburgh Castle — A CITY BY THE SEA

Bamburgh Castle is one of Northumberland’s most historical and iconic locations. The Castle has stood proudly overlooking the Northumberland coastline for thousands of years. We take a look inside this remarkable structure.

Purely from the outside, you can see Bamburgh Castle is likely to house a treasure trove of history between its walls. The Castle has dominated the skyline in this area of Northumberland since Anglo-Saxon times and has long since been a symbol of power and defiance. Sitting atop of this Whin Sill outcrop, the structure of Bamburgh Castle has evolved accordingly with its long and battle scarred history.

After falling into disrepair in the 1600s, wealthy local industrialist, Lord Armstrong, began the arduous work of restoring the site to former glories. Despite passing away before its completion, work continued on its restoration and the castle remains in the hands of Lord Armstrong’s ancestors to this day.

Inside the castle, you can work your way through its historic walls at your own leisure. An interactive video featuring one of the Castle’s current custodians (Francis Watson-Armstrong), provides us with a brief history of the Castle and is accompanied by several items of relevance to create further context.

The State Rooms, King’s Hall and Armoury are all adorned with historical items and detailed descriptions for added insight. Grand ceilings and large detailed windows allow light to flood in, whilst the North Sea is framed beautifully by the aforementioned windows at every turn. Further exploration leads to slightly smaller, more homely rooms, such as The Faire Chamber and the Library - whilst the Castle dungeon provides us with a colder and much more unsettling atmosphere!

At the time of writing (March 2023), the Castle is also host to a special exhibition featuring TV props and costume displays from the hit Netflix series ‘The Last Kingdom’ - a story in which ‘Bebbanburg’ and Northumbria feature prominently. Included in the exhibition, is the series’ very own Wessex Throne (pictured above). Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, the throne provides a photo opportunity not to be missed!

Whilst there is plenty to see within the Castle’s rooms and corridors, your eyes will be just as satisfied with the sights that lie outwards beneath you. Towards the west, the Castle provides you with a picturesque view of Bamburgh village, with rolling green fields stretching out towards the Cheviot Hills. As you would expect, the eastward side of the Castle delivers a far-reaching panoramic view of the Northumberland coastline. Providing the weather is clear enough, you can spot Lindisfarne Castle (to the north) and the Farne Islands (eastwards). On a bright and sunny day, you could argue the views alone are worth the admission charge!