Bondgate Tower
Tower In Alnwick, Northumberland
A 15th century gatehouse that was part of the Alnwick old town walls.
Travelling into Alnwick from the east will have you entering the town centre through the Bondgate Tower. Similar to the Pottergate Tower, it was part of the town defences and although it's called a tower it's actually a gatehouse.
Its name derives from the Bondgate Road it crosses, but locally it is also known as the Hotspur Tower or the Hotspur Gateway, named after the local legend Harry Hotspur (Sir Henry Percy), son of the 1st Earl of Northumberland.
The town wall and battlements were built by Harry Hotspur's son, the 2nd Earl of Northumberland, starting in the 1430s taking 50 years to complete it all. The Bondgate Tower was completed in 1450.
The gatehouse was one of four gates to the town with the others being the Clayport Tower, the Narrowgate Tower and the Pottergate Tower, with the latter being rebuilt and the others now demolished.
You can just see the eroded outlines of the Percy Lion on the tower.
Get 2 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 208 VIPs.
Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.
How To Find Bondgate Tower
Where To Park For Bondgate Tower?
Plenty of parking in Alnwick and if you drive through the tower into the town centre, then there is some disc parking right next to it.
Contributed by Simon Hawkins
Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue pele tower up a remote hill, a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.
More Places from SimonMore Places In Alnwick
Find more fabulous places in Alnwick, Northumberland and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
St Leonard's Hospital Chapel
Religious Place Alnwick NorthumberlandThe ruined chapel of an old hospital located in Denwick near to Alnwick Castle.
Alnwick Market Cross
Landmark Alnwick NorthumberlandAn 18th century market cross that would have been used for proclamations.
Ratcheugh Observatory
Tower Alnwick NorthumberlandA flat castle-like observatory on Ratcheugh Crag overlooking Alnwick.
More Towers
So this tower wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.
Smailholm Tower
Tower Kelso BordersA beautiful tower sitting atop the crag of Lady Hill near Kelso.
Marmion Tower
Tower Ripon North YorkshireMarmion Tower is a Garde I listed, 15th-century gatehouse in West Tanfield, North Yorkshire.
Find Walks To Bondgate Tower
Find which walks will visit Bondgate Tower and plan your next adventure.
Blast Beach To Easington Pit Cage
9km (6 miles) Seaham County DurhamThis zig-zag walk takes you from Blast Beach at Noses Point Seaham to Easington Pit Cage, then back over Beacon Hill and through Hawthorn Dene. It goes down and up beaches, a viaduct, and a trig point.
Allensford Park
6km (4 miles) Consett County DurhamCircular route starting from Allensford Park, walking along the River Derwent and through The Heaps Country Park, before heading through Balehill Wood.
Cunyan Crags, Langleeford Crags, Hedgehope And Great Standrop
24km (15 miles) Ingram Valley NorthumberlandA hike from Ingram Valley up to Cunyan Crags and then round the back of Hedgehope Hill to the Langleeford crags, before scaling the hill and then on to the Great Standrop.
Walla Crag
9km (6 miles) Keswick CumbriaA nice gentle wander up to Walla Crag in Keswick with spectacular views over Derwent Water.
Wallington House And Gardens
7km (4 miles) Morpeth NorthumberlandA short circular walk around Wallington Hall and the gardens.
Walltown Quarry To Thirlwall Castle
5km (3 miles) Brampton CumbriaA picturesque circular route from Walltown Quarry Country Park, through stunning countryside to Thirlwall Castle and back.
Auchope Cairn And Cheviot Summit From Mounthooly
15km (9 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandStarting at Mounthooly, this walk takes us up onto the border ridge, along the top of the Hen Hole before hitting the Cheviot Summit.
Windy Gyle And The Cheviot From Cocklawfoot
23km (14 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA walk up to Windy Gyle, The Cheviot and Auchope Cairn from Cocklawfoot Farm.
Durham Riverside
6km (4 miles) Durham County DurhamA walk following both sides of the River Wear in Durham finding lots of gems including the Durham Cow and the Count's House.
Shaftoe Crags
8km (5 miles) Bolam NorthumberlandA short wander around the spectacular Shaftoe Crags finding a Jubilee Stone, a standing stone and bagging a trig point.
Meggie's Burn And Blyth Coast
6km (4 miles) Blyth NorthumberlandA wander to Meggie's Burn in Blyth and then back along the coast and via the promenade.
Shepherd's Cairn Via Hartside Hill And Brough Law
25km (16 miles) Ingram Valley NorthumberlandFinding the Shepherd's Cairn near Alnham by starting at Ingram and wandering over Hartside Hill, down towards Alnham and then back via Brough Law.
Cullercoats To North Shields
8km (5 miles) Cullercoats Tyne And WearA wander from Cullercoats to Tynemouth and North Shields and then back via the coastal route.
Yearning Law, Border Ridge To Windy Gyle
27km (17 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA wander up Yearning Law to find Yearning Hall, then along the border ridge to Windy Gyle, then back down via Ward Law.
4 Hillocks And A Ridge Walk Outside Durham
7km (4 miles) Durham County DurhamA 7km easy walk covering Shincliffe Pinnock Hill, High Woods, Mountjoy, Maiden Castle, and Whinney Hill on the outskirts of Durham.
The Leas
7km (4 miles) South Shields Tyne And WearA 4km stretch of limestone cliffs, grassland and rocky bays. You can visit Marsden Rock, Souter Lighthouse and Whitburn Point Local Nature Reserve on this wander.
Beadnell Bay To Low Newton
13km (8 miles) Beadnell NorthumberlandA circular walk from Beadnell to Low Newton and back. Fairly easy terrain with well marked paths. Perfect for those who enjoy birdwatching.
Old Durham and 6 Bridges
5km (3 miles) Durham County DurhamA walk along The River Wear and into Old Durham Gardens crossing over 6 bridges.
Stonehaugh Circular
7km (4 miles) Stonehaugh NorthumberlandCircular walk starting from Stonehaugh, passing by The Long Drop and ending with a wander through Wark Forest.
Helm Crag
10km (6 miles) Grasmere CumbriaA short and sweet walk up the stunning Helm Crag in Grasmere, Lake District.
Seaton Carew
7km (4 miles) Hartlepool County DurhamA wander around the seaside resort of Seaton Carew in the Borough of Hartlepool.
Cold Law, Great Moor, Coldburn Hill And Views Over Bizzle Crags
21km (13 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA wander in The Cheviots taking in Cold Law, a few crags then over to Coldburn Hill to get some mega views over Bizzle Crags.
Ben Nevis
16km (10 miles) Fort William ScotlandA brutal climb up Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.
Darden Lough
7km (4 miles) Elsdon NorthumberlandA wander across the moors in Hepple to Darden Lough and the Darden Pike trig point.
Brough Law And Ingram Hillforts
14km (9 miles) Ingram Valley NorthumberlandA wander around the hillforts in Ingram Valley including Brough Law.
Urban Artworks In Scarborough
6km (4 miles) Scarborough North YorkshireAn urban walk with steel artwork, stone steps, a castle, a church a lighthouse and sea views.
Northumberland Coastal Challenge Walk
42km (26 miles) Bamburgh NorthumberlandA 42km (26 mile) marathon walk starting at Budle Bay and ending in Alnmouth, ran by Shepherds Walks.
Frosterley Circular
8km (5 miles) Frosterley County DurhamBeautiful walk through the Weardale countryside, passing Bishopley Lime Kilns, the remains of Harehope Gill Lead Mine and some examples of Frosterley marble.
Yeavering Bell And Newton Tors
26km (16 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA wander up in the north Cheviots to Newton Tors, Yeavering Bell and Humbleton Hill including a wonderful encounter with the legendary wild goats of The Cheviots!
Corbridge to Aydon Castle
10km (6 miles) Corbridge NorthumberlandWander from Corbridge village to Aydon Castle via lime kilns and stunning countryside.
Dukesfield Arches and Devil's Water
6km (4 miles) Hexham NorthumberlandLovely wander round the Northumberland countryside, with nods to its industrial past.
Crags Around Hedgehope Hill And Langleeford
18km (11 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA wander to find all the crags near Langleeford including Housey Crags, Long Crags, Tathey Crags, Langlee Crags, Middleton Crags and Steel Crag.
Scale Force from Buttermere
7km (4 miles) Buttermere CumbriaA walk to an impressive 51m waterfall on the south-western banks of Crummock Water.
Buttermere Loop
7km (4 miles) Buttermere CumbriaFairly easy loop around Buttermere lake with stunning scenery all around the route.
Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag And Haystacks
23km (14 miles) Buttermere CumbriaA 23km walk covering four Wainwright Fells, including Haystacks which was Wainwright's favourite.
Great Standrop, Cunyan Crags and Linhope Spout
18km (11 miles) Ingram Valley NorthumberlandA wander up to the Great Standrop on Hedgehope Hill via Cunyan Crags and the smaller crags on Dunmoor Hill with a return visit to Linhope Spout.
Marsden Quarry Nature Reserve and Cleadon Hills
5km (3 miles) South Shields Tyne And WearStunning walk through Marsden Quarry up to Cleadon Hills via Cleadon Water Tower and Cleadon Mill. There's lots to see on this walk and plenty of interesting birds for any twitchers.
Tosson Hill
10km (6 miles) Rothbury NorthumberlandA 10km wander up Tosson Hill to bag the trig point.
Bloodybush Edge, Hogdon Law And Weather Cairn
30km (19 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA 30km walk to bag some trig points and chunky hills including Bloodybush Edge, Cushat Law, Hogdon Law and Weather Cairn.
Yeavering Bell
16km (10 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA circular walk starting at Wooler common taking you around Humbleton Hill and across to Yeavering Bell.
Whittle Dene Reservoir Circular
6km (4 miles) Ovingham NorthumberlandA 6km walk around Whittle Dene Reservoirs with stunning views, lime kilns, a bird hide and a wander along the Hadrian's Wall Path.
Simonside and Fontburn Reservoir
15km (9 miles) Rothbury NorthumberlandA 15km hike around the Simonside area visiting Fontburn Reservoir.
Alnwick Riverside And Railways
14km (9 miles) Alnwick NorthumberlandA walk from Alnwick Castle following the river Aln and then back near the old railway.
Hawthorn Woods, Meadow, and Dene
4km (2 miles) Seaham County DurhamDelightful woods, meadows and coastal surprises with mini challenges. Situated near Seaham, County Durham.
Shill Moor And Little Dod
14km (9 miles) Ingram Valley NorthumberlandA wander up to Little Dod then up to the Shill Moor trig point before returning via the valley floor.
Hepburn Moor And Ros Castle
17km (11 miles) Chillingham NorthumberlandA meander from Ros Castle down the west side of Hepburn Moor finding cairns, hillforts, pill boxes, crags and the Blawearie.
Warkworth To Alnmouth
10km (6 miles) Warkworth NorthumberlandA wander from Warkworth to Alnmouth up the coastal path and then a return via the beach visiting St Cuthbert's Cross and Mortuary Chapel on Church Hill.
Seaton Sluice And Holywell Dene
9km (6 miles) Seaton Valley NorthumberlandCircular walk starting from Seaton Sluice, following Holywell Dene to Holywell Pond then onto the waggonways, before returning via the Avenue.
Newburn To Wylam
11km (7 miles) Newburn Tyne And WearA walk along the River Tyne from Newburn to Wylam and then back on the other side.
Berwick Law
1km (1 mile) East Lothian BordersA short walk up to the top of Berwick Law in East Lothian.
Bewick Moor, Cateran Hole, Ros Castle And Blawearie
20km (12 miles) Chillingham NorthumberlandStarting from Eglingham, this route takes your over Bewick Moor to Cateran Hole, a trip up Ros Castle before a visit to the Hepburn Bastle. Then we're back on the moor to the Blawearie Shepherds Hut and some cairns.
Wannie Line
12km (8 miles) Morpeth NorthumberlandA wander on the route of the former Wansbeck or "Wannie Line" railway line that ran from Morpeth to Reedsmouth and Rothbury.
Clennell Street And Shillhope Law
22km (14 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandHeading up Clennel Street taking in Shillhope Law and bagging a trig point.
Windy Gyle
19km (12 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA loop taking in Windy Gyle, the border ridge and Murder Cleugh.
Dunmoor Hill And Cunyan Crags
19km (12 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA lovely jaunt up Cunyan Crags then onto Dunmoor Hill in Ingram Valley including Reaveley Hill, a stone circle, Long Crag and Cat Crag.
Helvellyn Via Striding Edge
16km (10 miles) Glenridding CumbriaAn autumnal ascent up Helvellyn via the precarious Striding Edge with Trekking Tom Experiences also taking in Red Tarn, Snake Path, Catstye Cam, Swirral Edge and Birkhouse Moor.
Cheviot and Hedgehope Hill
23km (14 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandA wander in the Cheviots bagging seven hills over 500m including Cheviot Summit and Hedgehope Hill, Broadhope Hill, Preston Hill, Scald Hill, Cairn Hill and Comb Fell.
Upper Rothbury And Cartington Hill
21km (13 miles) Rothbury NorthumberlandA wander up on the crags above Rothbury, finding the Rothbury trenches then a trip up Cartington Hill and towards Cartington Castle.
Hen Hole And Cheviot Summit
23km (14 miles) The Cheviots NorthumberlandAn amazing walk sweeping around the back of The Cheviot before ascending up the spectacular Hen Hole and then back down via Scald Hill. Also traversing Cairn Hill, The Cheviot Summit and a visit to Auchope Cairn.
Never Miss A Fabulous Place
If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.
Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.
Sign Up To AlertsFind Us On Facebook
We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.
Join Our Facebook GroupBondgate Tower was listed in Tower // Northumberland // Alnwick