Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle is another of Northumberland’s impressive castles, notable for its position on a rocky outcrop allowing for some wonderful views of the surrounding coastline. The area has been occupied for over 10,000 years and there’s been a building there since at least 547 with successive owners from the Normans, Anglo-Saxons and Victorians adding to the castle’s structure.

The weather was exceptionally good for late September so we at first explored the castle grounds. On the Battery Terrace are a series of cannons ranging from an eighteen to a thirty-two pounder. They were placed here as defences against a threatened invasion by Napoleon.

Standing along here allows for spectacular views of the Bamburgh Dunes (featuring in a later post).

Inside the State Rooms were very striking and their layout was quite maze-like with lots of interesting staircases and rooms to explore.  The King’s Hall, for instance, dates from the 19th century with a teak ceiling held together by 1300 oak pins.

There were also plenty of interesting artefacts on display. These chairs for example were used by the 3rd Lord and Lady Armstrong (owners of the castle) at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Some of my other favourite objects on display include these candlesticks and this cute ceramic.

I’d highly recommend a visit. You can find more of my photos here.