Craster Tower Gateway

If you've visited Craster for a trip to Dunstanburgh Castle or Robson's Smokehouse, chances are you will have driven through this gateway, that once belonged to Craster Tower.

The gateway was built in the late 1700s and is made from whinstone rubble. This is the same material that forms the Great Whin Sill, where Dunstanburgh Castle stands, and underlies much of the Northumberland coast. The Whin Sill was formed over 295 million years ago - hard to believe!

Craster Tower, a pele tower which still stands today, was first mentioned in a survey of 1415 and was owned by Edmund Crasestir. (or Crawcestre - The name 'Craster' came into use in the late 1400s.) The tower remained in the Craster family after Edmund's death and a two storey Manor house was added to it in 1666 by another Edmund Craster. In the 1760s, it was extended further and a three storey Georgian mansion was also added to the south side of the tower.

In 1785 the estate was in the hands of Shafto Craster who changed the appearance of the pele tower, to give it a gothic style. It was at this time he also built the coach house and the gateway. Shafto was also responsible for starting the kippering industry in Craster which still thrives to this day. Robson's Smokehouse was established by the Craster family in 1856 and taken over by the Robson family in 1906.

Shafto died in 1837 and the estate passed to his nephew Thomas Wood-Craster. Thomas's father, John Wood, also had links to the Northumberland coast and owned the land where the Beadnell Lime Kilns stand. Thomas also made a number of improvements to the tower, with the help of our old friend, John Dobson

Craster Tower is now a luxury apartment and you can book by visiting Craster Tower. It appears to be booked up for the next year or so, but if you do get to visit, we would love to see your pictures.

As you can see, the gateway had suffered some damage when we visited, so we would also welcome any pics of the gateway pre-damage!