Warkworth Castle is a grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument in Northumberland. It is said to have been built in the 1150s when Henry II took control of Northumberland and has been owned by The Percy family since 1345. Even after the castle later fell into decline, it was said to be used by William Shakespeare as the setting for several scenes of his Henry IV plays. Today, visitors can explore the ruins and enjoy spectacular coastal views from the walls. Discover reasons to visit Warkworth Castle with our guide below.
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Warkworth Castle is located in the village Warkworth in Northumberland less than a mile from the coast. The address for the castle is Castle Terrace, Warkworth, Morpeth NE65 0UJ. Check opening times here to plan your visit
Top tip: Visit the castle in the spring to enjoy stunning views of daffodils blooming across the hill next to the keep
The Percy family, one of the most powerful families in the north of England, resided in Warkworth Castle in the late Middle Ages and it was noted that this castle was their favourite residence. The family owned Warkworth castle and Alnwick castle, where their descendants still live to this day, and are represented by a lion badge that is carved in the walls of Warkworth castle. The lion badge also appears on the north face of the great tower symbolising the location of the earl’s bedchamber, the most exclusive room in the castle.
The cross shaped keep was built by the first Earl of Northumberland over 600 years ago and played a key role in the war between England and Scotland. Today, the walls are mostly intact and visitors can head to the top to enjoy gorgeous views of the Coq river and surrounding Northumberland countryside. There is also a free audio tour available to learn more about the rich history of the fortress.
Hidden on the south bank of the River Coquet, the Hermitage was created by the Earls of Northumberland. It was initially used a form of private chapel where a priest would live in a cave-like dwelling to say prayers for the souls of the Earl and his family. Today, the hermitage can only be reached by boat and requires a ticket from the English Heritage counter at Warkworth Castle. To access it, you have to walk half a mile to the landing stage before being rowed across the River Coquet. The Hermitage is only open on days when the river current is slow and on good weather conditions so it is always worth checking the website before planning a trip.
While this article focused on reasons to visit Warkworth castle you can find a range of Northumberland trip ideas on our blog.
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