Warkworth Castle

Good to Know

Warkworth Castle stands on a grassy mound above the village, with the River Coquet looping around it on three sides. Its great cross-shaped keep is one of the most complete medieval keeps in England, and the view down Castle Street towards it is one of Northumberland's classic sights.

The castle is cared for by English Heritage, though it still belongs to the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland. From here, the riverside path leads upstream to Warkworth Hermitage, and the medieval bridge is a short walk through the village.

Tom's Notebook

• Best for: History lovers, Shakespeare fans, families with curious children and anyone who likes poking around passages and staircases.
• Dog friendly: Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.
• Admission: Free for English Heritage members. During Warkworth Show weekend, castle entry was included in our show ticket.
• Make a day of it: Combine the castle with a walk along the River Coquet and breakfast at Bertram's.
• Parking: On busy days, parking up the hill and walking down into the village saves a lot of frustration.
• H&S tip: Don't judge it from the road. Warkworth is a castle you have to get inside to appreciate. Allow longer than you think.

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Warkworth Castle — A Brief History

For centuries Warkworth was a stronghold of the Percys, one of the most powerful families in the north, and the backdrop to rebellion against the crown.

Mid-1100s — The First Castle
A castle is probably first built here by Henry, Earl of Northumberland, son of King David I of Scotland, at a time when Northumberland was under Scottish control.

1173 — Border Raids
The Scots under William the Lion sweep through Warkworth. The castle is too weak to hold out, and the townspeople shelter in the church.

1332 — The Percys Arrive
Edward III grants Warkworth to Henry Percy, beginning the castle's long association with the family.

Late 1300s — The Great Keep
Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, builds the extraordinary keep that still dominates the castle, as much a statement of status as a defence.

1403–1405 — Rebellion
The Percys turn against Henry IV. The Earl's son, Harry Hotspur, is killed at the Battle of Shrewsbury, and in 1405 the king brings cannon to Warkworth, which surrenders after only a few shots.

1590s — Shakespeare
Warkworth appears as a setting in Shakespeare's Henry IV plays, with Hotspur as one of their most memorable characters.

1600s — Decline
With the Border more peaceful and the Percys living elsewhere, the castle is neglected, and much of it falls into ruin.

1850s — The Duke's Rooms
The 4th Duke of Northumberland has architect Anthony Salvin restore rooms in the keep, now known as the Duke's Rooms.

1922 — Opened to the Nation
The castle is placed in the guardianship of the state. Today English Heritage looks after it, while the Percys remain the owners.

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