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Visiting Castle
Edlingham Castle is a 13th century ruined fortified castle in Northumberland. Now managed by English Heritage, it once belonged to the Feltons, prominent knights, and nobles of the 14th century. Today, the public can visit the castle for free and explore its scenic solar tower and rich history.
Parking
Parking is available at St. John the Baptist Church, 161 meters (0.1 miles) west of the Edlingham Castle.
Price
Edlingham Castle is free to visit.
Opening
The castle is open during daylight hours, seven days a week year-round.
Location and Access
Edlingham Castle is located at Edlingham, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2BW.
The castle is 9 km (5.8 miles) southeast of Alnwick via B6431.
The nearest hamlet is Edlingham, only 0.6 km (0.4 miles) east of the castle.
Know Before You Go
- Access to the castle is via a grassy walking path, and vehicles aren’t allowed on it, so be prepared for a short walk when you visit.
- The Edlingham Castle grounds can be muddy, so wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting messy.
- The castle isn’t wheelchair-accessible for the most part due to uneven, muddy ground and the walk from the car park.
- There are no restroom facilities or shops on-site.
- It takes most visitors about an hour to see everything on the castle grounds.
Places To Stay Nearby
Lemmington Hall Cottages
If you want a historical place to stay near Edlingham, consider Lemmington Hall Cottages, only 2.3 km (1.4 miles) north of the castle. They offer two stunning self-service cabins, and both are Grade II listed Historic Sites.
The cottages come equipped with kitchens, full en-suite bathroom facilities, roaring fireplaces, living areas with large TVs, patios, and much more. Their cottages are superbly comfortable and well-decorated, so you can’t go wrong about staying here!
Castle View Guest House Alnwick
If you want to stay in the nearest city, Alnwick, book your stay at the Castle View Guest House. This stunning, top-rated, Georgian manor-turned bed-and-breakfast is only 9.6 km (6 miles) away from Edlingham Castle, and it offers spectacular views of Alnwick Castle.
It’s also conveniently located near the high street, where you can find all of the food and entertainment you need to make your holiday unforgettable. Still, The Castle View Hotel offers breakfast at the hotel and free parking and wifi.
The Shepherd’s Rest
8.2 km (5.1 miles) east of the Edlingham Castle is the Shepherd’s Rest, a quaint and affordable pub, inn, and caravan park that offers everything you need for a pleasant stay in Alnwick.
They provide free breakfast and a complimentary evening meal. There is plenty of outdoor/indoor seating and a beer garden so that you can relax after a long day of sightseeing.
The inn also offers free WiFi and parking.
History of Castle (Time Line)
Built in 1174 by John De Edlingham, Edlingham Castle remained largely the same until Sir William De Felton bought the manor in 1295. Renovations began in 1340, with each inherited owner making additions until it eventually fell into disrepair in the 17th century.
-ca. 1174 (The Original Edlingham Manor Is built)
By 1174, John De Edlingham owned a fortified manor house at Edlingham. The original house had a great hall, chambers, parlours, a bakehouse, a brewhouse, service rooms, and a moat.
It also had four turrets that marked each corner of the relatively small castle.
-1295
In 1295, Thomas De Edlingham, John’s son, sold the castle to Sir William De Felton, Sheriff of Northumberland.
After Felton’s death, his son inherited Edlingham Manor. Sir William’s son, also named Sir William De Felton, was a powerful man in Northumberland and Shropshire, and he had gained fame as a highly capable knight.
-1340 – 1350 (the Feltons Renovate and Enlarge the Castle)
From 1340 to 1350, Sir William De Felton made many improvements to Edlingham Castle, and most of his renovations and projects can still be seen today in the castle’s ruins.
Felton had a substantial solar tower built, which is still the most well-preserved part of the castle. He also had a large curtain wall and a gate tower built on the estate.
-1387- 1390
After the death of Sir William De Felton, his grandson, John, continued to enlarge the castle, adding more walls around the estate’s perimeter and expanding the gatehouse.
-1403
After John De Felton’s death, his daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Sir Edmund Hastings, inherited Edlingham Castle.
Thus, the castle belonged to the Hastings family for the next hundred years, although they owned many properties and rarely came to Edlingham.
-1514 (the Swimburnes Move In and Modify the Castle)
In 1514, George Swinburne, constable of Prudhoe, bought Edlingham Castle from the Hastings. The Swinburne family lived in the castle’s upper floors and towers, but they converted the first floor of Edlingham into lodging for livestock.
They also made several renovations, rebuilding the courtyard buildings in the centre of the estate.
-ca. 1650 (The Swinburne Family Abandons the Castle)
The Swinburne family lived in Edlingham Castle until the mid-17th century, but the castle had begun to fall apart by then, so they abandoned it.
After abandonment, many locals used the castle’s materials to build other structures, leaving Edlingham in pieces.
-1975
After hundreds of years of abandonment, the state seized Edlingham Castle and secured the loose and falling masonry around 1975. At the time, the castle’s history was mostly unknown.
-1978
In 1978, English Heritage led an excavation at Edlingham Castle, revealing its historical importance.
Castle Occupants
Founded by the Edlinghams, the Edlingham Castle passed through the hands of some of Northumberland's wealthiest families, including the Feltons, Hastings, and Swinburnes.
The castle was often used as a primary residence for these families until the Swinburne family abandoned it in the mid-17th century.
Some of the most prominent residents and the dates that they lived at the castle include:
- John De Edlingham
- Thomas De Edlingham
- Sir William De Felton, Sheriff of Northumberland
- John De Felton
- Elizabeth (Felton) Hastings and Edmund Hastings
- George Swinburne
Images of Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Edlingham Castle Facts
The Hall is the earliest remaining structure at the castle, and it was likely built by Sir William De Felton around 1300.
Although the Castle never saw combat, it was frequently refortified to defend the English border from Scottish invasions.
The viaduct in the distance was once a track for the Victorian Cornhill Branch Railway’s route from Alnwick to Cornhill-on-Tweed.
Edlingham Castle Q&A
Are Dogs Allowed on Site?
All pets are welcome at Edlingham Castle. There’s no strict management or tours at the castle, so it’s much more laid back than most other English Heritage sites. Feel free to bring dogs and picnic on the lovely green!
What Can You Still See at the Ruins?
You can still see the tower, which is relatively unstable and lean, although English Heritage has installed supports to prevent further ruin. Also, you can see parts of the curtain wall, which are just raised mounds at some points.
Parts of the hall house walls are still visible, and you can see vaulted buttresses in some regions, indicating that the ceilings were once incredibly high. The courtyard is also well-preserved.
Location of Edlingham Castle
Edlingham is southeast of Alnwick, and it stands in the Edlingham Burn valley right next to a spring.
The address is Edlingham, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2BW.
The nearest city is Alnwick.
Other Places To Visit Near Castle
1. Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle, only 8.2 km (5.1 miles) northeast of Edlingham, is another lovely historical site you can’t miss while you are in the area. The castle has belonged to the Percy family for over 700 years. In fact, the Duchess and Duke of Northumberland still live there!
Featured in tonnes of films, including Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, Transformers, and many more, this beautiful and scenic castle is the perfect historical site to visit before heading over to Edlingham Castle.
Be sure to take a tour, walk along the walls for an ideal view, visit the museum, and try your hand at archery and flying on a broomstick!
2. Alnwick City
Alnwick, 10 km (8.2 miles) from Edlingham Castle, is full of art galleries, shops, cafes, museums, and more. Walk through town for the perfect day out! While you’re there, be sure to stop by some of my favourite places in town:
- Barter Books in Alnwick has everything you need to take a rest. While you’re here, look through the stacks of secondhand books, browse their elaborate model train collection, grab a cup of tea or coffee and some lunch at their cafe, and curl up on one of their luxurious armchairs next to the fire.
- The Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland is a lovely historical museum that covers the military history of Northumberland. Walk through to see original garments, weapons, and other artefacts left behind by the Regiment of Northumberland.
- In the city centre on the high street and next to Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Markets is the perfect place to shop while staying in Northumberland. With dozens of booths from artisans, farmers, and brewers, there is no better way to spend market days, usually on Thursdays and Saturdays.
3. Cragside
Cragside, the historic home of Victorian inventors Lord William and Lady Armstrong, is often called “the original smart home.”
While you’re here, you can walk through the vast gardens or view the home’s restored interior, complete with scientific innovations left behind by the manor’s former owners.
The entire estate, rich in natural science and technological innovations, is full of many wonders for the whole family.