Dunstanburgh Castle

About this place

Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a headland on the Northumberland coast between Craster and Embleton.

Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster began building it in 1313, raising one of the largest castles in northern England on the site of an Iron Age fort.

Today it survives as a ruin, reached by a walk along the coast path with no road access.

English Heritage manages the site, though the National Trust owns the land.

Read more on Wikipedia

History

Thomas of Lancaster built the castle between 1313 and 1322 as a stronghold against Edward II. He was captured fleeing towards it after the Battle of Boroughbridge and executed soon after. John of Gaunt strengthened the defences in the 1380s against Scottish raids. The castle changed hands repeatedly during the Wars of the Roses, damage from which it never recovered. It fell into decay over subsequent centuries, and eventually passed into private ownership.

Architecture

The castle was laid out on a grand scale for its date, with a massive twin-towered gatehouse. John of Gaunt later converted this gatehouse to serve as a keep in the 1380s. The design was meant to rival the nearby royal castle at Bamburgh.

Worth knowing

J.M.W. Turner painted the ruins more than once, drawn by the drama of the site.

Facilities

Shop

Plan your visit

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Nearest station: Chathill Rail Station (5.5 miles)

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