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.
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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 or a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.
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