Prudhoe Castle

Prudhoe Castle stands on a ridge above the River Tyne in Northumberland. A Norman motte and bailey was built here in the 11th century, later replaced by a stone castle. The Umfraville family strengthened it after Scottish attacks in the 12th century. A stone keep and great hall were added, and later the Percys enlarged the great hall. The castle passed through many owners, including the Crown and the Duke of Northumberland, who repaired it in the 19th century. The castle’s long history is visible in its walls and buildings. The gatehouse from the early 12th century leads into the outer ward, where the remains of the Great Hall stand. The keep, built in the 12th century, has walls three metres thick. A Georgian mansion was built inside the walls in the early 19th century. The manor house now contains a shop and exhibition rooms for visitors. A deep moat partly surrounds the castle on higher ground. The north side drops steeply to the river below. The entrance is guarded by a 14th-century barbican, with a ruined water mill and mill pond nearby. The inner ward holds the keep, the castle’s strongest feature. From the ridge there are wide views over the Tyne valley.