Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle
England · Northumberland · Near Newcastle upon Tyne
Built 547 · Norman / Victorian restoration
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Quick Facts
- Hours
- Daily 10:00–17:00
- Day trip from
- €73.31
- Duration
- 2–3 hours
- Best time
- April to October
- Nearest city
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Featured Tour
From Edinburgh: Day Trip to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle
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Highlights
- ✦One of the most dramatically situated castles in England
- ✦Rises 46 metres above a basalt outcrop on the Northumberland coast
- ✦Norman keep with 11 floors of state rooms and collections
- ✦Views over the Farne Islands seal and puffin colonies
- ✦Film location for Ivanhoe, Elizabeth, and Transformers: The Last Knight
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Skip-the-line tickets & expert guides
Bamburgh Castle stands on a dramatic basalt outcrop rising 46 metres above the Northumberland coast, its Norman keep visible for miles along one of England's most beautiful and remote shorelines. A fortification has existed on this rock since at least 547 AD, when it was the capital of the Anglian kingdom of Bernicia. The massive Norman keep was built by Henry II in the 12th century, and the castle remained a royal and baronial stronghold through the medieval period, playing a significant role in the Wars of the Roses. Restored in the late 19th century by the Armstrong family — Victorian industrialists who are still the castle's owners — Bamburgh today houses exceptional collections of arms, armour, porcelain, and furniture spread across its 11-floor great tower, all set against a backdrop of coast, islands, and wide Northumberland sky.
History
The rock at Bamburgh has been occupied since the Iron Age. The Anglian king Ida of Bernicia fortified it around 547 AD, establishing one of early medieval England's most important power centres. The Norman keep was built under Henry II in the 1160s. The castle was the last English fortress to fall in the Wars of the Roses, taken by cannon bombardment in 1464 in the first use of artillery against a castle in English history. It fell into ruin in the 18th century before being purchased and comprehensively restored by industrialist William George Armstrong from 1894. His descendants live there today.
How to Visit
Getting there: Bamburgh lies in Northumberland, 75 km north of Newcastle upon Tyne and 25 km south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. There is no direct train; the nearest stations are Chathill (12 km, taxi needed) or Alnmouth (25 km, taxi). Driving from Newcastle takes around 1h30 via the A1 and B1342; parking is available in the village.
Tickets: Walk-up admission is £16 for adults and £8 for children, covering 11 floors of the great keep and all collections including the arms, armour, and porcelain displays. The GYG day trip from Edinburgh (t435550, from £64, 4.7★/279 reviews) includes Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle with coach transport — an excellent option for visitors travelling from Scotland without a car.
Practical tips: Arrive when the castle opens at 10:00 to beat tour coaches and have the King's Hall to yourself. The castle is fully exposed to North Sea winds year-round — bring a windproof layer even in summer. The beach directly below the walls is one of Northumberland's finest and merits an hour after your castle visit.
Combine with: [Alnwick Castle](/castles/england/alnwick-castle), 25 km to the south — Harry Potter's Hogwarts filming location — and [Chillingham Castle](/castles/england/chillingham-castle), a reputedly haunted medieval stronghold around 20 km inland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — boat trips depart from nearby Seahouses (5 km south) to the Farne Islands, famous for grey seals and nesting puffins, particularly in May and June.
Location
Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7DF, England
Nearby Castles
Tours & Tickets
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From
€73.31/ person