Warkworth Castle

Warkworth Castle

Warkworth Castle

Where is it – England, North East England

Who looks after it –  English Heritage 

What is it –  Castle or Fort 

When is it from – Medieval

Once a favourite residence of the powerful Percy family, mighty and massive Warkworth Castle and its lovely village occupy a natural defensive position on a spur in the River Coquet, about a mile from the sea. The Percys were involved in many feuds and plots, not least playing a key part in the Wars of the Roses. Though ruined, their castle at Warkworth displays more than a hint of its previous grandeur, with rich heraldic carvings, including the great lion of the Percys looking down from the 14th century great tower, beautiful Gothic-style windows and grand rooms. The 4th Earl even planned to build a church inside the castle walls – though it was never finished. Warkworth even features in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, where it is referred to as “this worm-eaten hold of ragged stone!”

Nearby and included in the entrance fee, is the Hermitage – a medieval chapel carved out of rock and accessible (at limited times) only by boat.

And don’t miss the village!

 


Address

Castle Terrace, Warkworth, Northumberland NE65 0UJ 

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