Morpeth Castle
Castle Morpeth Northumberland

Morpeth Castle

Castle In Morpeth, Northumberland

The gatehouse of the original motte and bailey castle in Morpeth.

Although known as Morpeth Castle this building is actually just the gatehouse of the original castle with the remainder of it having been destroyed. The original motte and bailey was built on a hill overlooking the River Wansbeck in the 11th century and destroyed by King John in 1216. A new castle was then built in the bailey of the original in the 1340s, but again nothing much has survived apart from the gatehouse and part of the surrounding wall.

In 1516 Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII and widow of James IV of Scotland, stayed for four months in Morpeth Castle as she fled from her enemies in Scotland and sought refuge with her brother. The one great military event in the castle's history was in 1644 when a garrison of 500 Lowland Scots held it for Parliament for 20 days against 2,700 Royalists. The castle was held by and passed by the female line through several illustrious families; de Merlay, Greystoke, Dacre and Howard, none of whom resided there for any long period. In about 1860 the gatehouse was restored and converted to provide a staff residence. Source - Wikipedia.

Nowadays, the castle is owned by the Landmark Trust and is available as a holiday rental home.

  Add To Bucket List   I Have Visited This Place

Get 3 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 160 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 Morpeth Castle

Where Is Morpeth Castle?

Show Place On Google Maps

Lat / Long

55.163566, -1.6874824

What three words

shoulders.shift.policy

Where To Park For Morpeth Castle?

Show Parking On Google Maps

Lat / Long

55.166518, -1.691086

What three words

suspends.secret.farm

Lots of free disc parking in the town centre.

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 Simon
Simon Hawkins

More Places In Morpeth

Find more fabulous places in Morpeth, Northumberland and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.

William Turner Garden
William Turner Garden
Garden Morpeth Northumberland

A modern take on a 16th Century Physic Garden dedicated to the life of Morpeth native William Turner, also known as the "Father of British Botany"

Emily Wilding Davison Statue And Grave
Emily Wilding Davison Statue And Grave
Statue Morpeth Northumberland

Emily Davison was a militant suffragette who died after throwing herself in front of the king's horse at the Epsom Derby.

Hebron Hill Trig Point
Hebron Hill Trig Point
Trig Point Morpeth Northumberland

This is the trig point for Hebron Hill (130m) near Morpeth.

More Castles

So this castle wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.

Kirkoswald Castle
Kirkoswald Castle
Castle Penrith Cumbria

A historical sliver in pinky Penrith sandstone, Kirkoswald Castle was built to impress and defend.

Belford Castle
Belford Castle
Castle Belford Northumberland

A castellated farmhouse sitting on the foundations of a 15th century motte and baily castle.

Raby Castle
Raby Castle
Castle Barnard Castle County Durham

Medieval, Regency, and Victorian splendour all under several roofs. A wonderful deer park and woods. Oh and of course, it's haunted!

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 Alerts
Sign up to newsletter
Fabulous North On Facebook

Find 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 Group

Morpeth Castle was listed in Castle // Northumberland // Morpeth