About Dunstanburgh Castle
Built on the most magnificent scale, Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a remote headland in Northumberland.
Dunstanburgh Castle Description
Built on the most magnificent scale, Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a remote headland in Northumberland.
The castle was built at a time when relations between King Edward II and his most powerful baron, Earl Thomas of Lancaster, had become openly hostile. Lancaster began the fortress in 1313, and the latest archaeological research indicates that he built it on a far grander scale than was originally recognised, perhaps more as a symbol of his opposition to the king than as a military stronghold.
Unfortunately the earl failed to reach Dunstanburgh when his rebellion was defeated, and was taken and executed in 1322. Thereafter the castle passed eventually to John of Gaunt, who strengthened it against the Scots by converting the great twin towered gatehouse into a keep.
The focus of fierce fighting during the Wars of the Roses, it was twice besieged and captured by Yorkist forces, but subsequently fell into decay.
Reviews
New arrivals are always welcome onsite at Dunstanburgh Castle.
These little swallows are tucked out of the way inside one of our towers. 🐥🐥😃
Kids grow up quickly. 🐣🐥🦆
The Razorbill chicks have mostly fledged and are now nearly the same size as their parents. Come in to Dunstanburgh Castle and say hello before they all disappear for the winter.
It's amazing watching the sea birds in flight.
Dunstanburgh Castle is home to loads of nesting birds. They all fly differently. The kittywakes and fulmars seem to soar effortlessly but the razorbills seem to flap franticaly just to stay in the air.
Our visitors ask whether Dunstanburgh Castle was built into the cliff.
The pillars you can see below the Lilburn Tower are natural rock formations, made of the same Whin Sill that Dunstanburgh Castle is perched on.
Our cows like to play games. I think this one is peek-a-boo. 🤔
If you don't want to play games with the cows, do tell them to shoo out of the way and they'll move for you. Or you could just walk to Dunstanburgh Castle from Embleton, where there are no cows.
Visitors are suprised how close the sea birds are.
Dunstanburgh Castle has some wonderful resident seabirds. We regularly see kittywakes, fulmars, razorbills and sometimes puffins.
Our birds are having a great year. A recent survey said that there are over 400 nests here at Dunstanburgh Castle.
We've even spotted a few Guillemots on the cliffs.
It's lovely walking along the coastal path beside Dunstanburgh Castle in the late evenings.
If you go for a summery evening walk, do come back during the daytime. There's so much more to Dunstanburgh Castle on the inside than on the outside.
It's stopped raining, but everything's a bit damp...🌧
Take care, Dunstanburgh Castle still has a lot of standing water, and slippery rocks. We look forward to welcoming you.
Some days you just have to build a sand castle.
We love finding sand castles on our walk in to Dunstanburgh Castle. If you build one on Embleton beach, try to post a picture with Dunstanburgh in the background. Don't forget that the tide needs to be out. 🏰🏖
Our bird hotel at Dunstanburgh Castle is full. 🐣
There are loads of Kittywakes, Razorbills and Fulmars all trying to raise chicks on tiny ledges. Sometimes Puffins come to visit too. Come in and say hello to them all.
Dunstanburgh Castle is impressive in wild weather.
The views are still spectacular, the Castle looks more impressive, all you need is the right clothing to keep you dry and warm. We look forward to welcoming you.
The cows are here. Do say hello as you go past. Give them names of you like.
If you really don't want to talk to them, you can walk to Dunstanburgh Castle from Embleton, then you don't even have to meet the cows.
Our nesting sea birds are having great fun onsite.
Come in and say hello to the Razorbills. They look like they are wearing little dinner jackets.
The sheep are getting used to us all. They are quite photogenic too. 🐑🐑🐑📸
Do take care, and keep your dog on a lead. The sheep still don't like being chased.
It's not the nicest of days today. But Dunstanburgh Castle does look even more impressive in the rain.
Possibly the only people picnicing are the snails...
The sheep are getting used to us....
Do say hello, but don't get too close. Mummy sheep can still be protective of their babies.
And don't forget to keep your dog on a lead. The sheep don't know how nice your dog is.
The middle of Dunstanburgh Castle is empty. There were no large buildings in the centre of the site. We just let the grass grow long to hide all sorts of birds and animals. This means that plants like scurvy grass and thrift thrive here.