VISIT HYLTON CASTLE WITH ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERSHIP
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TICKETS & PRICES
Entrants: Free
For non-members, guided tours cost : £5 per adult and £3 per child.
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Visiting Hylton Castle
Hylton Castle was a fortified manor in modern-day Sunderland, built in 1072 by the Hylton family. It has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries, so it looks little like it did in its heyday, though it is still historically significant. Today, the site is managed by Hylton Castle Trust on behalf of English Heritage and open for pre-booked tours.
Parking
On-site parking is available at Hylton Castle. When arriving for your pre-booked tour, please park next to Hylton Dene, the castle green space and play area.
Disabled spaces are available. Blue Badges must be displayed when parking in a disabled bay.
Price
Guided tours of Hylton Castle are free for English Heritage members. Visitors are required to show their membership card to receive free entry.
For non-members, guided tours cost £5 per adult and £3 per child.
All tours must be booked in advance.
Opening
Since Hylton Castle serves as a community centre and remains consistently in use, the site does not have set opening and closing times. All visits, including guided tours, must be pre-booked.
To book a guided tour:
- Visit the official website of Hylton Castle.
- Under “Available Tickets,” select a date for your visit.
- Choose a time slot for your tour.
- Check out.
Available dates are listed in green. If there are no dates available for the week you intend to visit, check back as new dates are added weekly.
Location and Access
The physical address of Hylton Castle is:
Craigavon Road
Castletown
Sunderland
Tyne and Wear
SR5 3PA
Hylton Castle is located 5.4 kilometres (3.3 miles) west of the Sunderland centre.
To access the site using GPS navigation, use the following data:
- Latitude: 54.922063
- Longitude: -1.442321
Bus access to Hylton Castle is available via:
- Stagecoach: Service Routes 3 & 13
- Go North East: Service Routes 26 & 56
The nearest railway stations are Seaburn Metro and Pallion Metro:
|
Train Station |
Distance from Castle |
Service Routes to Castle |
|
Seaburn Metro |
4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northeast |
Bus 99 |
|
Pallion Metro |
4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) southeast |
Bus 29, 29A, 39, or 39A |
Know Before You Go
- Visitors must book the site in advance. Walk-in tours and visits are not permitted. The site is regularly utilised, so all visits must be pre-booked.
- Hylton Castle is wheelchair accessible. Access is available within the castle, gardens, and car park. There is suitable access throughout the castle grounds, however some areas are inaccessible due to steep slopes. A lift provides access to all floors of the castle interior except the rooftop viewing gallery.
- Dogs are welcome on the castle grounds. Pets are not permitted inside the castle, though exceptions are made for assistance dogs. All other dogs must remain on a lead. Visitors must clean up after their pets using the bins provided throughout the site.
- Toilets are available on-site. Toileting facilities are located in the castle. A disabled toilet is available on the ground level.
- The tearoom is open for booking and walk-in visits. Visitors who pre-book a tour or other event can access the tearoom from Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Changes to these hours are announced on the Hylton Castle Facebook page.
Hylton Castle Events
Events occur with some regularity at Hylton Castle.
Guests may book a tea room visit for “Friday Afternoon Tea.” This regularly-occurring event costs £15 per guest. Food includes fresh sandwiches, pastries, and desserts. Tea and coffee are also available. Friday Afternoon Tea must be booked in advance.
For guests with specific dietary needs, please contact the site prior to booking so they may accommodate any special requests.
To see a list of current and upcoming events (including bookable events), see the “What’s Happening?” page on the official Hylton Castle website.
Hylton Castle Weddings
When planning to tie the knot, consider Hylton Castle as a potential ceremonial venue or backdrop for your magical wedding photoshoot. Please note, the venue can accommodate up to 60 guests.
Though not currently available, Hylton Castle intends to offer a variety of wedding packages in the future.
To reserve the site for a wedding ceremony or wedding photography session, contact Hylton Castle for booking information.
Hylton Castle Hire
Hylton Castle is available for a broad range of events in addition to weddings.
Whether you’re seeking a venue for a small corporate function, birthday party, or educational trip, the manor has several spaces to accommodate your needs. There are indoor and outdoor areas available to book, including the rooftop viewing gallery.
Please note, Hylton Castle does not currently host specialised events, such as ghost hunts.
Hylton Castle Tours
Visitors may book a Hylton Castle guided tour for select dates.
A tour guide leads guests throughout the 14th-century manor, where they can view the modern renovations. Visitors will also learn more about the site’s history, beginning from when the castle was first erected, as well as information regarding its former occupants. Tours last approximately one hour and must be pre-booked.
Places To Stay Nearby
Premier Inn Sunderland (A19/A1231)
2.1 km (1.3 mi) south
Premier Inn Sunderland is a simple hotel offering guests all the basic amenities at a reasonable cost. Rooms include free WiFi, free on-site parking, a double or king-size bed (depending on the type of room booked), tea and coffee facilities, a hairdryer, and vanity space. Guests also have access to the hotel’s Brewers Fayre restaurant (fare at an additional charge). Premier Inn Sunderland is about a 4-minute car ride or 24-minute walk to Hylton Castle.
Travelodge Sunderland Central
5.8 km (3.6 mi) southeast
Travelodge Sunderland Central is a pet-friendly budget accommodation situated in a busy centre. Guests will enjoy shopping, restaurants, and pubs within a short walking distance. Each room includes free on-site parking, a flat-screen television with FreeView, a spacious desk and chair, tea and coffee facilities, and a private bathroom with a shower. The site is about a 9-minute drive to Hylton Castle.
Royal Station Hotel
15.4 km (9.6 mi) northwest
Royal Station Hotel is located in the Newcastle city centre. The hotel offers multiple luxurious amenities, including an indoor swimming pool, steam room, fitness centre, restaurant, bar, and nightclub. Rooms include a television, phone, work space, private bathroom, free WiFi, contemporary furnishings, and 24-hour room service. Royal Station Hotel is about a 21-minute drive from Hylton Castle.
History of Hylton Castle
Hylton Castle is a fortified manor house once used by the Hylton family. The site has undergone extreme renovations throughout its lifetime, including the changing of the exterior to meet a gothic aesthetic. The site had defences installed and served as a residence for centuries before being used as a community centre.
Time Line
- 895-939 (Land Grant)
King Athelstan gave Henry de Hylton a large stretch of land along the banks of the River Wear. This land would later serve as the site for Hylton Castle.
- 1072 (Castle Built)
Henry de Hylton erected the first castle on the site, likely made of timber.
- 1100s (Chapel Erected)
Historians believe the St. Catherine of Alexandria’s Chapel was already on the site by 1157.
- 1390-1400s (Castle Rebuilt in Stone)
Henry de Hylton’s original wooden castle was reconstructed by Sir William Hylton. He erected a gatehouse-style fortified residence. St. Catherine of Alexandria’s Chapel was also rebuilt in stone around this time.
- 1435 (Castle Inventory)
Around this time, Hylton Castle included a hall, two barns, a kitchen, and several chambers. Other buildings had also been erected on the site, likely made of wood.
- 1559 (Gatehouse Renovation)
The gatehouse, which is the only surviving structure, was listed in a local inventory as the “Tower.” The same year, alterations were made, including the addition of floors and galleries in the Great Hall.
- 1641 (City of London Corporation)
Upon his death, Henry Hylton willed the castle to the City of London Corporation. The will stated the site should remain in their possession for 99 years to be utilised for charitable purposes. It would later be returned to the Hylton family, beginning with John Hylton.
- 1712 (Renovations)
The site was completely renovated, beginning with the complete destruction of the interior to create a three-storeyed chamber. Each floor held a single room. Large Italianate windows were added and a new shield of arms was hung above the doorway. It was later moved to the Golden Lion Inn across the river.
- 1728 (Additional Alterations)
A south wing was constructed and battlements were added along both wings. The portcullis was removed.
- 1746 (Castle Passes to Musgraves)
When the last de jure Baron Hylton died without a male heir, Hylton Castle was inherited by Sir Richard Musgrave. He would later change his surname to Hylton.
- 1749 (Lady Bowes)
Sir Richard Hylton would sell the manor to Lady Bowes of Gibside. It’s unknown whether she occupied the site or not. Upon her death, it passed to John Bowes, 10th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. During this time, he decorated the wine and drawing rooms. Several Gothic additions were added during this time.
- Late-1700s-Early 1800s (Castle Decay)
Hylton Castle underwent a period of decay and abandonment for a brief time.
- 1812 (Castle Restored)
The Strathmores leased the castle to Simon Temple who restored it to a liveable condition. Unfortunately, he was never able to complete his work. It would be abandoned again in 1834.
- 1840 (Boarding School)
Reverend John Wood placed an ad in a local newspaper for Hylton Castle Boarding School. At this time, he and his family lived at the manor along with multiple students and staff. It would close by 1842.
- 1856 (Castle Fire)
A fire occurred within the manor.
- 1862 (William Briggs Purchases the Castle)
The Strathmores sold the castle to William Briggs. He would go on to dramatically change the look of Hylton Castle. He gave the manor the Gothic appearance it still has today.
- 1871 (St. Margaret’s Church)
Colonel Charles James Briggs (William Briggs’ son) inherited the manor upon his father’s death. He would erect a church nearby, though it no longer stands.
- 1908 (Coal Company)
Colonel Charles James Briggs died in 1900 and the castle was passed to the Wearmouth Coal Company. Later, it would be placed under the ownership of the National Coal Board.
- 1940s (Castle Vandalised)
The original sheet-lead roof was stolen from the site.
- 1950 (Ministry of Works)
The Ministry of Works took over care of the site and began completing alterations.
- 1984 (English Heritage)
Today, Hylton Castle and the nearby chapel are cared for by English Heritage and, together, an Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Hylton Castle Occupants
- 1072: Henry de Hylton built the first-ever castle on the site using timber.
- 1390-1400s: Sir William Hylton inherited the land and fort and rebuilt the site in stone.
- 1600s: Henry Hylton (12th Baron Hylton) lived in the site. Upon his death, he passed the castle to the City of London Corporation for 99 years.
- 1746: Sir Richard Hylton (Musgrave) inherited the castle when the last de jure Baron Hylton died without male heirs.
- 1749: Lady Bowes of Gibside purchased the castle and used it as her residence.
- 1812: Simon Temple purchased the castle after it had been abandoned and made it habitable again.
- 1819: Thomas Wade used the site as his personal home.
- 1840: Reverend John Wood, his family, students, and staff lived on the site while it served as a boarding school.
- 1842: The kitchen was occupied by a poor family.
- 1856: A farmer, Mr. MacLaren, lived at the site.
Hylton Castle Architecture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hylton_Castle_-_Buck_1728.png
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hylton_Castle,_c.1800.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hylton_Turrets.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emery_FP_Hylton_Castle.png
General Layout
Hylton Castle is a fortified manor that long served as a private residence. Over the centuries, the structure has undergone numerous renovations. As such, it does not look much like it did during its heyday. The site originally included a great hall, kitchen, oratory, great chamber, and additional rooms and accommodations.
Castle Exterior
The exterior of Hylton Castle is quite striking, and includes intricate carvings along the west and east façades. Along the western wall is the heraldry of numerous political alliances of the Hylton family. The eastern wall boasts the Hylton shield of arms.
Carved stone figures adorned the roof (which was once made of sheet lead). Though there were originally 16 figures (four in each corner), only five survive today.
Towers on the western wall are octagonal in shape and boast floor openings for defence. They were used to pour boiling water or oil atop enemy heads. The roof also included braziers used for heating the liquid.
Castle Interior
Prior to entering the manor, visitors would cross a courtyard and walk through a vaulted passage. This 3.4 metre (11 foot) wide passage included a portcullis for protection. On each side of the portcullis-guarded passage were two chambers. A guardroom sat on the right and the rooms on the left were likely used for storage or served as staff accommodations.
- Great Hall - The Great Hall stood three storeys high and was the first room accessed in the manor from the ground level. It also included a small passageway and private staircase. A Minstrels’ Gallery overlooked the hall.
- Kitchen, Butlery, and Pantry - Standing two storeys tall, the kitchen sat next to the single-storeyed butlery and pantry. Above these two rooms was the Butler’s Chambers which were accessed via a gallery staircase.
- Oratory - Hylton Castle’s Oratory was accessed via a pointed-arch entrance. It originally included an altar. Today, only a space in the wall remains.
- Great Chamber - Behind the north wall of the Great Hall was the Great Chamber. This space included a garderobe, fireplace, and window seating. It rose two-storeys high.
Additional accommodations in Hylton Castle included two family rooms on the third floor, a guest room, servants’ accommodation, ward’s chamber, and multiple garderobes and fireplaces.
Modern Layout
Though the site once included various ranges, the gatehouse is all that survives — and it remains a striking structure. It still boasts the decorative carved stone heraldry.
Since the manor’s construction, it has been significantly altered. During the 1700s, Sir John Hylton completed major repairs and renovations, redesigning the entire interior and switching out the windows.
Simon Temple and Lady Mary Bowes of Gibside also altered the castle, creating a beautiful surrounding landscape and transforming the interior into an elegant residence.
Throughout the 1800s, the site was used as a workshop, farmhouse, and boarding school. During this time, it also underwent more changes. In 1862, William Briggs altered the site leading to the gothic aesthetic it has today.
Images of Hylton Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
What Can I See During Visit to Hylton Castle?
- Admire the highly-decorated gatehouse and surrounding landscape. Hylton Castle is a stunning piece of architecture. From the outside, visitors can view the detailed heraldry carvings and the gothic-style additions created by William Briggs. Inside the building, visitors can tour numerous areas that once served as accommodations for castle guests.
- Consider booking the space for an event or tour. Driving past the site may be enough for some people, but for those who want more, consider booking a guided tour. Through the tour, you’ll learn more about the castle and dene’s history, the local heritage, and the history of the surrounding area. Knowledgeable tour guides share fascinating stories about the site and those who once lived there.
- Climb to the roof to access the viewing gallery. The rooftop views are a must-see for those touring Hylton Castle. Visitors climb an original spiral staircase all the way to the top of the gatehouse. From here, guests enjoy impressive views of the surrounding landscape and Wear Valley.
- Examine the twenty shields of arms. Just above the entrance along the western wall are the coat of arms of twenty different families. Thes
Hylton Castle Facts
- The castle is reportedly haunted by the “Cauld Lad.” Robert Skelton was a young stablehand who worked for Sir Robert Hylton, the Castle Lord. Skelton was to prepare the horse for Hylton, but overslept. When the horse wasn’t ready for the Lord in the morning, he decapitated the young man as punishment. Local tradition says the lad haunted the site, before finally disappearing when castle servants set out a cloak for him.
- “How Haunted?”, the podcast, did an episode on Hylton Castle. The basis of their investigation was the story of Robert Skelton, mentioned above. In the podcast, they dive into some of the castle’s history with the goal of determining just how haunted the site actually is.
- It once served as a military camp. Throughout World War I, Hylton Castle was used as a military training site. Here, it housed two training battalions, including the 3rd Battalion Yorks and Lancaster Regiment and the 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.
- The Hylton family held the castle for over 700 years. From its initial construction to its first being sold, Hylton Castle remained in possession of the Hyltons. For centuries, it served as a representation of the family’s power, connections, and wealth. They kept the castle in the family until 1746, when it was sold to Sir Richard Musgrave (who later took the Hylton surname).
Hylton Castle Q&A
What Happened to Hylton Castle?
Hylton Castle served as an elegant manor home for the Hylton family. It remained in the family’s possession from 1072 to 1746 before being sold. It was later Gothicised and eventually abandoned before falling into disrepair. Over the centuries, it has been renovated and altered many times. The state took ownership in 1950.
When Was Hylton Castle Last Lived In?
Hylton Castle was last occupied as a residence around 1856. Mr. MacLaren, a farmer, is reported to have lived on the site when a fire broke out inside. Some sources claim a poor family was squatting in the castle kitchen in 1842.
Who Built Hylton Castle?
Henry de Hylton built the first castle on the current site in 1072, though this fortification was made of timber. Around the late 1300s or early-1400s, Henry de Hylton, a descendant of the original builder, reconstructed the site in stone and built the gatehouse-style structure seen today.
What Was Hylton Castle Used For?
Hylton Castle was used as a private fortified residence for the Hylton family. In the 1800s, it served as a boarding school. During World War I, it was used as a military training camp. Today, the site is used as a community centre and venue.
Location of Hylton Castle
Hylton Castle is located in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, in the United Kingdom, just west of the town centre. Settlements in this area date as far back as 674, likely due to the city’s proximity to the River Wear and the North Sea.
Sunderland sits in a scenic area, complete with a hilly landscape that runs along the North Sea coastline. The River Wear crosses directly through the centre of Sunderland, forming the Hylton Gorge. This port city boasts numerous natural public parks, many of which are historic.
Other Places To Visit Near Hylton Castle
St. Paul’s Monastery
4.3 miles from Hylton Castle
St. Paul’s Monastery at Jarrow has a long history dating back to the 7th century. It once served as the continent’s most renowned and prestigious religious learning centre. Although part of the original structure serves as a chancel at St. Paul’s Church, visitors can still see the mediaeval structure at St. Paul’s Monastery, Jarrow. It is about 6.9 kilometres (4.3 miles) from Hylton Castle.
Tynemouth Priory and Castle
Over 2,000 years ago, Tynemouth Priory and Castle acted as one of the largest defensive areas in the country, thanks to its strategic location overlooking the North Sea and River Tyne. Today, visitors can access the site and take in spectacular views while enjoying a picnic, family outing, or a day of photography. Tynemouth Priory and Castle is about 10.8 kilometres (6.7 miles) away from Hylton Castle.
Finchale Priory
The Finchale Priory sits in an enchanting woodland along the River Wear. It dates back to 1196 and once served as a retreat for Durham monks. Today, visitors can walk among the surviving ruins of the site while learning more about those who lived at the priory. The site is about 13.2 kilometres (8.2 miles) from Hylton Castle.
Sources
- English Heritage: Hylton Castle - Opening Times
- Hylton Castle: Castle Tours
- English Heritage: Hylton Castle - Directions
- Hylton Castle: Opening Times
- Facebook: Hylton Castle
- Hylton Castle: Community & Commercial Event Spaces
- Hylton Castle: What’s Happening?
- Wikipedia: Hylton Castle
- English Heritage: Hylton Castle - History
- Hylton Castle: History
- Google Podcasts: How Haunted? Podcast | Episode 25 - Hylton Castle
- The Wartime Memories Project: Hylton Castle Camp in the Great War
- Britannica: Sunderland | Coastal City, Wearside, Tyne and Wear