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Visiting Brancepeth Castle
Brancepeth Castle, constructed in the 12th century near Durham, is open for guided tours from April to December. There are over 2 hours of sights to see on guided tours, with tours starting every two hours and lasting 90 minutes on average.
Parking
There is free parking on-site beside the Castle. When you get to Brancepeth, pull to the left side of the Castle, where there is a large field for parking.
Unfortunately, there are no accessible parking spots for Blue Badge holders. There are also no paved entrance paths, so take care if you're a disabled visitor.
Price
Adult - £10.00
Child (10-16 years old, must be accompanied by an adult) - £3.00
Child (10 years old and under, must be accompanied by an adult) - Free Admission
English Heritage and National Trust Members - £8.00
Members of Historic Houses - Free Admission
Opening
Brancepeth Castle is open for visitors from April 1st to early December. Weekly, they open their doors at:
Sundays: 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Mondays - Saturdays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location and Access
Address: Brancepeth, Durham, County Durham, DH7 8DF
Brancepeth Castle is 5 miles (8 km) south of Durham centre, and it takes around 15 minutes to get to the Castle from the city. From Durham, take A690 southwest and turn left on The Village Street.
If you're travelling via public transport, take the X46 Crook bus line to the Village stop, then walk down Village Street for 5 minutes to get to the Castle.
Know Before You Go
- Visit Brancepeth Castle in July or November to catch the Brancepeth Craft Fair, one of the best craft fairs in northeast England.
- You don’t have to book ahead of your visit as long as you have less than nine visitors.
- Brancepeth castle is not very accessible for disabled or otherwise impaired individuals. The ground is rough and unpaved at the entrance, so take care when you visit.
Places To Stay Nearby
While you're visiting Durham, you should never have to settle for an uncomfortable or unclean place to stay. That’s why we recommend these fantastic, affordable, and welcoming cottages and hotels, all within two miles of Brancepeth Castle. Check-in at one of these places, and you’ll feel like you’re at home, even when you’re on vacation.
Riding Farm Cottages
Located 0.6 miles (1 km) from Brancepeth Castle, Riding Farm Cottages offers three different cottage stay options. With benefits like private parking, an equipped kitchen, wifi, private bathrooms, easy wheelchair access, and colour TV, these cottages have everything you need to make your stay comfortable.
Riding farm cottages has several locations, but their Brookside Byre, Littlewhite Farm, and Sheep Pen cottages are all a 10-minute walk from the Castle. These cottages are all on farmland, so go for a walk to visit the nearby sheep and livestock for a memorable and relaxing visit.
Bay Horse Inn
The Bay Horse Inn, 2.3 miles (3.7 km) north of Brancepeth Castle, is the perfect place to stay if you're looking for a great value. They offer many amenities, including free wifi, a bar, a restaurant, free parking, and pet-friendly rooms. With such great reviews, this is one of the best places to stay near Durham.
Browney Place
1.7 miles (2.7 km) east of Brancepeth Castle, visit Browney Place, an affordable hotel with loads of great reviews and amenities.
Browney Place also offers en-suite bathrooms, free internet, complimentary parking, and games in the lounge, so you’ll never be bored here! With a shared, fully equipped kitchen and lounge, you can even choose to cook your own meals while you're visiting Brancepeth Castle.
History of Brancepeth Castle
Brancepeth Castle shifted ownership quite a lot over its 1,000+ years history. Many of the Castle’s owners rose to power quickly, only to fall less than 100 years later. The castle also came into the Crown’s hands many times and was often bestowed upon some of the royals’ most trusted advisors.
Time Line
-1099 (Original Castle Constructed)
Before 1099, the land where Brancepeth Castle now stands belonged to a man named Peter de Humet. In 1099, Peter’s daughter was married to Ansketil de Bulmer, the High Sheriff of Yorkshire.
Bulmer inherited the Brancepeth estate and constructed the original Castle there. Parts of this initial structure still stand, but much of it has been restored or rebuilt over the years.
-1174
The last male heir, Bertram Bulmer, died, leaving the estate to his daughter Emma and his son-in-law Gilbert de Neuville, a Norman baron. The Neuville family, later just called Neville, was one of the most powerful families in England. They owned Brancepeth Castle for over 400 years.
-1346
In October, during border conflict with the Scots, Lord Ralph Neville and William Zouche, commanders under King Edward III, planned an ambush at Brancepeth Castle. This battle would be called the Battle of Neville’s Cross, and it resulted in a victory for the Crown of England.
-1398 (Castle Expanded)
Brancepeth castle was expanded and rebuilt for Ralph Neville. Neville, the 1st Earl of Westmoreland, moved to Brancepeth to support Henry Bolingbroke, who would become King Henry IV of England. After Henry’s coronation, Ralph Neville was showered with honours and lordships, bringing fame to the Neville name. The succeeding Nevilles would all be Earls, Barons, Bishops, Countesses and Duchesses.
-1569
During the Rising of the North in 1569, the crown confiscated Brancepeth estate from the Neville family since Charles Neville, the 6th Earl of Westmoreland, was part of the conspiracy to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I of England.
The crown owned Brancepeth for several more years.
-1609-1613
King James VI and I of England granted Brancepeth Castle to Robert Carr, the 1st Earl of Somerset. Carr was a dear friend and favourite of King James, and rumours got out in 17th century England that the two may have been lovers.
Whether that rumour is true or false, Carr’s relationship with King James bestowed even more honour upon the Neville family.
-1615
Robert Carr was put on trial for the alleged murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, who was a poet and close friend of Carr. Carr pleaded innocent, but he was found guilty in his trial. As a result, Brancepeth castle fell into the hands of the crown again.
As for Carr, he was sentenced to death, but he was never executed. Instead, he was held in the Tower of London from 1616 to 1622. After years of living in the tower as a prisoner, he was released and pardoned. Still, Carr never gained his status back.
-1633-1636
King Charles I of England was almost constantly in debt. During his reign, he used Brancepeth as the collateral for a loan. When the king did not repay the loan, Brancepeth Castle was sold to Ralph Cole, later Baronet of Brancepeth, in 1636.
-1701
In April, Ralph Cole’s grandson, also named Ralph, sold Brancepeth to Sir Henry Belasyse, a Member of Parliament and military official.
Belasyse’s daughter, Mary (or sometimes called Bridget Belasyse), was in love with Robert Shafto, who lived across the river Tyne. Supposedly, Mary’s love for Bobby inspired the popular folk song, Bobby Shafto.
-1796
Brancepeth Castle was sold to William Russell, a mine owner. Luckily, Russell found coal beneath Brancepth, and he made a large fortune from his estate.
-1818-1821 (Castle Improved)
The Russell family made many improvements to Brancepeth after gaining such extreme wealth from coal mining. Over four years, Matthew Russell had the Castle redesigned at the peak of regency-style fashion. The estate was designed by John Paterson, a famous Scottish architect, and through his plans, the court gained much of the glory that it still has today.
-1828
Gustavus Frederick John James Hamilton-Russell, 7th Viscount Boyne, married Emma Russell. From this marriage, Viscount Boyne inherited Brancepeth Castle.
-1864- 1865
Viscount Boyne had the interior of Brancepeth Castle redesigned by interior architect Anthony Salvin.
-1914- 1918 (Castle Served as WWI Hospital)
During WWI, Brancepeth was used as a military hospital for convalescents. During this time, the Hamilton-Russels moved from Brancepeth, never to return.
-1939- 1962
During WWII, Brancepeth was the main headquarters of the Durham Light Infantry. The infantry finally left Brancepeth Castle in 1962, and no one lived at the estate for several years following their departure.
-1978
Margaret Dobson, the wife of publisher Dennis Dobson, purchased Brancepeth Castle to house backlogged books. Although a widow by the time that she finally moved to Brancepeth, she put a lot of work and time into the restoration of the estate. Dobson replaced the slate roof, fixed up the Castle’s interior, and started welcoming visitors to the estate.
Dobson is responsible for the popularity of Brancepeth Castle as a tourist site today. She started the craft fairs, staged Shakespearean plays, and rented out rooms to students at Durham University.
-2014
Margaret Dobson died, leaving many children and grandchildren to inherit Brancepeth.
Brancepeth Castle Occupants
Although the ownership of Brancepeth castle changed many times throughout history, it was only owned by elite members of society. Starting from its establishment, some of the most famous residents included:
- Ansketil de Bulmer, High Sheriff of Yorkshire
- Bertram Bulmer
- Ralph de Neuville, 1st Earl of Westmoreland
- Ralph Neville, 2nd Earl of Westmoreland
- Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset and favourite of James VI and I
- Ralph Cole of Newcastle
- Sir Henry Belasyse and his daughter Mary/Bridget Belasyse
- William Russel of Newbottle
- Matthew Russel, Member of Parliament who reconstructed Brancepeth
- William Russel, High sheriff of Durham
- Gustavus Frederick John James Hamilton-Russell, 7th Viscount Boyne
- Margaret Dobson
Images of Brancepeth Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Brancepeth Castle Facts
Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote “Come into the Garden, Maud” into the Brancepeth gardens.
In the 1960s, Brancepeth castle was a research facility for Pyrex.
The Golf Course used to be a hunting range.
Brancepeth Castle Q&A
Can You Visit Brancepeth Without a Tour Guide?
Since Brancepeth is a private residence, some areas are off-limits, and you'll need to have a tour guide to see the parts of the Castle open to the public.
What Rooms Can You See on the Tour?
Brancepeth Castle takes you on a tour of Durham’s history, starting with its construction in the 12th century, all the way to its place as a stunning tourist site today. Castle tours will take you through all of the main rooms on the 1st floor of the building. Then, you can go into the medieval cellars beneath the Neville towers.
Trace the course of time, learning more about the many powerful families who owned Brancepeth castle, only to fall and leave the scenic estate to another family. With so much to see and do at Brancepeth, don’t hesitate to plan your visit today!
Are There Bathroom Facilities at Brancepeth?
Toilets are available for castle visitors.
Are There Cafes at the Castle?
Cafes are available only on Craft Fair days, usually held on one weekend in July and one Weekend in November.
Location of Brancepeth Castle
Brancepeth Castle is located at Brancepeth, Durham DH7 8DF, United Kingdom, in Durham County.
Other Places To Visit Near Brancepeth Castle
While you're in Durham county, you have to see some of these other memorable and spectacular museums. Durham County has tonnes of history, making it one of the best museum and historical building destinations in all of Northern England.
St. Brandon’s Parish
While you're at the Castle, you can’t miss St. Brandon’s Parish. The Parish is just a few metres from the Castle, and all of the Castle’s Lords historically owned it. Built around 1050, the Parish’s history is intertwined with that of Brancepeth, so make sure you stop by to learn more!
Durham Museum and Heritage Centre
In Durham, 5.4 miles (8.7 km) northeast of Brancepeth Castle, stop by Durham’s Museum and Heritage Centre. The museum has fascinating exhibits that trace the history of Durham and Brancepeth Castle from Medieval times to today.
While you're there, be sure to look at the Victorian prison cell, the Neville stained glass windows, and the medieval city models.
Durham Castle
While you're in Durham, you must see Durham Castle, only 5.3 miles (8.4 km) northeast of Brancepeth. Constructed in 1072 after the Norman Conquest, this Castle has a vast collection of artefacts, including sculptures, paintings, weapons, armour, stained glass, the Durham University special collections, and much more.
Oriental Museum
The Durham University Oriental Museum is another perfect site to see while you're near the Castle. Boasting Northern England’s only Northern African and Asian collections, stop by for a look at some marvellous artefacts, only 4.6 miles (7.4 km) northeast of the Castle.
Binchester Roman Fort
5.8 miles (9.3 km) south of Brancepeth Castle lies Binchester Roman Fort, a must-see historical site. Right on the banks of the River Wear, this 1st century Roman fort features well-preserved bathhouses and the ruins of the original Roman-era fort.
Take a tour to learn more about Britain’s conflict with Rome and how it impacted all of England for the rest of the country’s history. Stop by in the summer to see some of their popular reenactment events or festivals for a truly memorable visit to Durham.