Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle is one of the oldest English castles, located on the north-east coast of the United Kingdom, in the county of Northumberland. Chronicles mention the fortress from 547. The majestic and ascetic building rises above the cliff of Win Sill, and is therefore visible from afar.
Video: Bamburgh Castle
General Information
Like any ancient castle, Bamburgh is steeped in many legends. The most popular one tells of the Pink Princess, who was the daughter of one of the previous owners. Her father upset her wedding, and the girl ended her life by throwing herself from the highest tower. Since that time, locals often see a woman in pink robes walking around the castle looking for her lover.
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Nowadays, Bamburgh Castle has been turned into a historical museum. There are collections of antique furniture and dishes. In the halls you can see antique clocks, fireplaces, globes, paintings and tapestries. In addition, medieval knight’s armor, weapons, arts and crafts and jewelry are exhibited here.
.Tourists
For tourists, the doors of Bamburgh Castle are open from February to October from 10.00 to 17.00, and from November to January from 11.00 to 16.30. A ticket for adults costs £5.50, and £2.50 for children between 5 and 15 years old. Children under 5 can get in for free.
.History of Bamburgh Castle
In the mid-6th century, King Ida of the Angles moved the main city of his kingdom to Bamburgh. After a time, the Angles began to rule over the Celtic tribes and took over several small kingdoms. In 603, King Ethelfrith of the Angles conquered the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Deira and created the united state of Northumbria in northern Britain. It was so large that it occupied almost a third of the entire island.
In the beginning, the fortification was wooden, with a palisade around it. Ethelfrith gave the fortress to his wife Bebba, after which it became known as Bebbaburg. At the end of the 12th century, under Count Robert de Mowbray, the fortifications were rebuilt in stone. In 1095 the count rebelled against the English king William II. The monarch’s troops approached the fortress and besieged it. The king managed to take the count prisoner, but the defense of Bamburgh Castle was led by his wife. The fortifications were surrendered only after the king threatened to blind de Mowbray.
.When the War of the Scarlet and White Rose was being fought in the 15th century, Bamburgh Castle was besieged by the forces of Earl Richard Neville. The fortifications were shelled by artillery and the castle walls were badly damaged. At the end of the XIX century the castle was owned by industrialist and engineer William George Armstrong. He restored the old castle and turned it into a personal residence and museum.
.How to get there
Bamburgh Castle is located 88 km north of the city of Newcastle. It can be reached by car. A paid parking lot is open near the walls of the fortress. Those tourists who want to get to the castle by public transportation, first take a train to Beric-upon-Tuida and then take a bus to Bamburgh.
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