Bamburgh Castle

The rock is a dolerite outcrop of the Whin Sill standing forty-five metres above the sand, occupied since at least the Iron Age and the royal seat of the Northumbrian kings from the sixth century; excavations have produced the Bamburgh Beast, a gold plaque of intricate interlace, and a sword made by a technique not otherwise known in Europe at that date. The medieval castle fell into ruin and was bought in 1894 by William Armstrong, the Tyneside armaments and hydraulics engineer, who rebuilt it as a residence with his own electrical and hydraulic systems and an armoury; the family still owns it. The beach below is a long stretch of pale sand with the Farne Islands offshore, and the castle is one of the most filmed in England.

The main sights

• The Whin Sill rock - a dolerite outcrop forty-five metres above the beach.
• The Anglo-Saxon finds - the Bamburgh Beast and sword in the archaeology room.
• Armstrong's rebuild - Victorian engineering and armoury inside the medieval walls.
• The beach - a long pale strand with the Farnes visible offshore.

When to go

April to October for full opening; the castle closes for parts of winter and in high wind. The beach is at its best at low tide with the castle behind. Sunrise from the dunes is the standard photograph.

Things to know

Much of the interior is Victorian rather than medieval, which disappoints some visitors. The site is exposed and the walk up from the village car park is steep. Tickets are relatively expensive and parking is charged separately.

Nearby

Seahouses and the Farne Islands boats are south; Lindisfarne lies north.

Key facts