Pictures of Warkworth Castle

a Castle in the town of Warkworth, in the county of Northumberland

About Warkworth Castle

This once superb castle was, for over four centuries, one of the most important in a long line of defensive castle's built in the North of the country to protect England from the Scots. It has a somewhat obscure history, some say it was begun half-way through the 12th-century by Henry, Earl of Northumberland, who was the son of Kind David I of Scotland. However, that being said, the County of Northumberland was re-granted by Henry II in 1157 to Robert Clavering, an Englishman. It was his family that were responsible for the main outline of the castle as it exists today. They built the massive gatehouse, two towers and made improvements to other areas including the chapel and the Great Hall.

The castle passed to the powerful Percy family in 1332, and it is they who added the unusual square keep in 1390. They also began a large collegiate church, the foundations of which remain visible. The castle became the Percy's favourite home but at the turn of the 15th-century it was taken again by Henry IV when the Percy's became involved in a rebellion against the King led by Archbishop Scrope.

Today, the romantic ruins of Warkworth rise in all their faded splendour above the wooded banks of the sparkling River Coquet. They perfectly reflect an image of medieval strength and the fact that in spite of being kept in good repair until the 16th-century, once the Percy's had retreated back to Alnwick Castle, Warkworth remained continuously abandoned.

Interestingly, Warkworth is the setting of the opening scene in Shakespeare's play Henry VI.

The castle can be reached via the main street in the village of Warkworth and is open daily to the public for most of the year.

Add attraction to favourites

Submit a history of Warkworth Castle

Recommended attractions near Warkworth Castle

	Druridge Bay Country Park (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction S) .. Information \| Hotels
	The Alnwick Garden (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction NW) Adjacent to Alnwick Castle is the Alnwick Garden. The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is one of the most exciting contemporary..... Information \| Pictures (4) \| Hotels
	Alnwick Castle (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction NW) The vast castle of the Dukes of Northumberland remains very much a family home, a living place that is second only to Windsor..... Information \| Pictures (34) \| Hotels
	Hulne Park (7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction NW) This magnificent park covers thousands of acres of glorious countryside. It is mostly enclosed by old stone walls, lying just a..... Information \| Pictures (1) \| Hotels
	Dunstanburgh Castle (9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction N) The romantic remains of this once extensive castle stand high on a cliff above the waters of the North Sea. The castle was begun..... Information \| Pictures (50) \| Hotels

All attractions in Northumberland
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns & villages near Warkworth Castle

	Warkworth (0.3 miles, 0.4 km) Sparkling in high summer and tinged with frosty thin ice in winter, the River Coquet makes its final loop before entering the sea at Amble... Information \| Pictures (112) \| Hotels
	Alnmouth (3.1 miles, 5.1 km, direction N) Alnmouth lies on a coastline famed for its outstanding natural beauty, thus one of its greatest pleasures is found in wandering the coastal paths enjoying uninterrupted sea and coastal views... Information \| Pictures (6) \| Hotels
	Alnwick (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NW) Set magnificently in the heart of the beautiful northern countryside is the great castle that has dominated the life and times of Alnwick for centuries... Information \| Pictures (52) \| Hotels
	Newbiggin-by-the-Sea (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction S) The bay is a major attraction, often lively with fishing cobbles and pleasure craft, it is also a haven for sun-bathers... Information \| Pictures (2) \| Hotels
	Thropton (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction W) This pretty village straggles the banks of the sparkling River Coquet. It is a lively invigorating place, lying amidst the stunning countryside of Simonside, a 1,409 foot high peak... Information \| Pictures (2) \| Hotels

All towns in Northumberland
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Acklington Station	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction SW)
Alnmouth Station	(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction N)
Newcastle International Airport	(21.4 miles, 34.4 km, direction S)
New Bridge Street	(25.3 miles, 40.7 km, direction S)
A1(M) Junction 65	(30.2 miles, 48.6 km, direction S)
Teesside International Airport	(58.0 miles, 93.3 km, direction S)
Warkworth Castle to London	(272.1 miles, 437.8 km, direction S)

Hotels near Warkworth Castle

	The Sun Hotel 6 Castle Terrace, Warkworth, Northumberland, England (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) Directly opposite the castle, the Sun Hotel portrays all the charm of a seventeenth-century coaching inn. Offering superb accommodation in a secluded position, the hotel has ample car and coach parkin... More info and book online.. Price from £55.00
	White Swan Hotel Bondgate Within, Alnwick, Northumberland, England (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NW) This 300 year old coaching inn retains many features from the past. The White Swan Hotel is a 3 star AA rated hotel. Hotel with NO LIFT. In particular, experience the splendour of the historic Olymp... More info and book online.. Price from £100.00
	Macdonald Linden Hall, Golf & Country Club Longhorsley, Longhorsley, Northumberland, England (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction SW) 15 mins north of Newcastle, near Morpeth, a country house hotel with full leisure facilities and an 18-hole golf course. Linden Hall offers Georgian architecture, log fires and a country pub as well a... More info and book online.. Price from £82.00
	The Masons Arms Nr. Rennington, Stamford, Alnwick, Northumberland, England (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction N) A former coaching inn built about 200 years ago, the Masons Arms is 5 miles from Alnwick on Seahouses Road. It has been tastefully extended and modernised to include six new executive rooms with quali... More info and book online.. Price from £65.00
	Longhirst Hall Classic Longhirst, Longhirst, Nr Morpeth, Northumberland, England (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction S) The elegant Longhirst Hall Classic is the perfect blend of business, adventure and tranquillity. Set in 75 acres of woodlands in Northumbria and just 2 miles from the A1 and 18 miles north of Newcastl... More info and book online.. Price from £45.00