Northumbria's Coastal Castle Town Bamburgh

Underlined Text & Images are used for Hyper-Links to more Relevant Information

Last modified: March 02, 2004

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Coast - I.Lindsay

Bamburgh has been fortified since the sixth century when Ida the Flamebearer made himself King of Bernicia, his grandson Ethelfrith later became King of Northumbria.

The fortifications held against three assaults from the Vikings in their longboats, but finally fell to the Normans and William Rufus when he captured the husband of Matilda the Countess of Northumberland, who they held as hostage threatening to blind him.

The origins of the present castle was built by the Normans, but much of what exists today is quiet modern being restores and added to by the Industrial Magnet Lord Armstrong who bought the castle in 1894.

Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island can be seen to the north of Bamburgh as can the Farne Islands to the East. The coast south of the castle is a long stretch of sandy beach with Seahouses at the other end where sightseeing boat trips can be taken to the Farne Islands, now a protected sanctuary for seals and bird life.

Grace Darling Museum

Royal National Lifeboat Institute museum commemorates the life of lifeboat heroine Grace Darling who with her father rescued survivors from the shipwreck of the SS Forfarshire in 1838. This small museum in Bamburgh has the original boat used in the rescue on display.

Seahouses

Seahouses a fishing port and tourist attraction has boats sailing daily weather permitting to the Farne Islands off the coast which is a reserve for thousand of sea birds.

Craster & Dunstanbrugh

Craster a delightful small harbour port which still supports a fishing industry famous for it’s Kippers (Smoked Herring) available for sale at the Smoke House with a variety of other fresh seafoods.

Craster named after the family who have owned the area since pre Norman day had it’s harbour enlarged in the early nineteenth century to accept coastal barges, which took the locally quarried road chippings for city streets as far away as London. The Quarry is now used as a tourist car park with tea room and gift shop.

Dunstanburgh Castle - D. Charlton

Beadnell Village

A few miles south of Seahouses and Bamburgh lies the village and harbour of Beadnell, which evolved around the fishing harbour which was built in 1798 by Thomas Wood being unique – as the only west facing harbour on the British east coast

The local kilns produced limestone for export until 1826 along with grain from the Northumbrian farms. Herring fishing continued till 1918, now the harbour is used by a few of cobbles to catching crabs, lobsters, salmon and sea trout.

At Beadnell Point on the same site as a 7th Century chapel, lies the ruins of the 13th Century Ebba's Chapel which was built shortly after Christianity arrived to Northumberland.

Coastal Village in the Shadow of a Great Castle

"Bamburgh according to Charlie Steel is one of the most picturesque villages on the Northumbrian coast, and lies on the gentle slope of a ridge which inclines to the sea, consisting of a number of small villas and cottages arranged around the three sides of the green with the predominant site of the head of the green is the castle perched on its rocky pedestal.

The origins of Bamburgh and some of the first references to it, date back as far as the Romans, prior to AD 547 it was known to be a Celtic stronghold and fortified town called "Dinguayrdi" or "Dinguoaroy".

Its present name was not acquired until shortly after when it was siezed by the English chieftain ”Ida”, legend states that “Ethelfrith” his grandson bestowed the castle and surrounding area on his wife “Bebba”, and called it after her name (Bebban burgh), from which the present day name of Bamburgh was derived.

During the eighth century, Bamburgh was described as a "Strongly fortified city, not very large, but being the size of two or three fields having one entrance hollowed out of the rock and raised in steps"

The mighty castle itself stands 150 feet above sea level, on a basalt rock overlooking the sea to the east, and dwarfing the village to the west. Although considered to be an almost impregnable fortress, the Viking raids wrought destruction on it.

In AD 926, Bamburgh was attacked and taken by Athelstan, from its then defender - King Aldred, then by the Danes in 933 and in 1095, William Rufus led his army against Bamburgh.

In 1164 the Bamburgh Castle was rebuilt by Henry II, since when it never lost any of its fame or importance during the succeeding centuries of warfare.

Royal visits being a regular occurrence with King John in 1201 & 1213, Henry III in 1221, Phillipa of Hainault in 1333 and Edward III in 1356.

The castle remained in Royal hands, and had a strong historic role, particularly during the Border Wars and during the Wars of the Roses, it was used by Queen Margaret, wife of Henry VI as her fortress.

The ravages of time bombardment of fierce wars that were fought over the years took its toll on the castle until 1704, when it came into the posession of the Bishop of Durham Lord Nathaniel Crewe who bequeathed it in his will for charitable purposes.

A trust was established and in 1757 the trustees for Bishop Crewes Charity commenced the long task of restoration work began, the castle eventually passed to Lord Armstrong, who at considerable expense continued the restoration to its present state.

The parish church of St. Aidan which stands at the top of Bamburgh village is on a site of great historic interest, as it is believed to have been built on the site of the original Saxon church where St. Aidan died in AD 651.

Apart from the castle the church is probably the oldest building in the village, the square tower at the west end of the building dates from the 13th. century, but perhaps some of the most striking features are inside the church where there is a thirteenth century vaulted crypt discovered by accident in 1837 during restoration work.

The crypt may originally have been used for the exhibition of relics connected with St. Aidan and consists of two chambers with a groined roof on the dividing wall where a Saxon sundial has been inserted.

Other striking features inside the church are the large nave with two arcades of four arches, with an additional richly arcaded series of eight lancet arches running around the upper section of walls.

In the churchyard there is a Victorian Memorial to the heroine, Grace Darling, who died on 20th. October 1842, a museum to here memory is directly opposite to the church. Being rich in history Bamburgh has over the centuries, witnessed some savage battles and changed for the better into the pleasant and peaceful village that it is today.

Coastal Hotels

Guest Houses

Country Cottages

Parkland Camps

This Web Site was Created without Banner or Pop Ups Adverts by Northern Walker
Please report any Problems or Enquiries to:
admin@Northern-Walker.co.uk www.Northern-Walker.co.uk

LOCAL WEATHER

© Copyright 2004

Underlined Text & Images are used for Hyper-Links to more Relevant Information

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Coast - I.Lindsay

Bamburgh has been fortified since the sixth century when Ida the Flamebearer made himself King of Bernicia, his grandson Ethelfrith later became King of Northumbria.

The fortifications held against three assaults from the Vikings in their longboats, but finally fell to the Normans and William Rufus when he captured the husband of Matilda the Countess of Northumberland, who they held as hostage threatening to blind him.

Grace Darling Museum

Royal National Lifeboat Institute museum commemorates the life of lifeboat heroine Grace Darling who with her father rescued survivors from the shipwreck of the SS Forfarshire in 1838. This small museum in Bamburgh has the original boat used in the rescue on display.

Seahouses

Craster & Dunstanbrugh

Dunstanburgh Castle - D. Charlton

Beadnell Village

Coastal Village in the Shadow of a Great Castle

The origins of Bamburgh and some of the first references to it, date back as far as the Romans, prior to AD 547 it was known to be a Celtic stronghold and fortified town called "Dinguayrdi" or "Dinguoaroy".

During the eighth century, Bamburgh was described as a "Strongly fortified city, not very large, but being the size of two or three fields having one entrance hollowed out of the rock and raised in steps"

The mighty castle itself stands 150 feet above sea level, on a basalt rock overlooking the sea to the east, and dwarfing the village to the west. Although considered to be an almost impregnable fortress, the Viking raids wrought destruction on it.

In AD 926, Bamburgh was attacked and taken by Athelstan, from its then defender - King Aldred, then by the Danes in 933 and in 1095, William Rufus led his army against Bamburgh.

In 1164 the Bamburgh Castle was rebuilt by Henry II, since when it never lost any of its fame or importance during the succeeding centuries of warfare.

Royal visits being a regular occurrence with King John in 1201 & 1213, Henry III in 1221, Phillipa of Hainault in 1333 and Edward III in 1356.

The castle remained in Royal hands, and had a strong historic role, particularly during the Border Wars and during the Wars of the Roses, it was used by Queen Margaret, wife of Henry VI as her fortress.

The ravages of time bombardment of fierce wars that were fought over the years took its toll on the castle until 1704, when it came into the posession of the Bishop of Durham Lord Nathaniel Crewe who bequeathed it in his will for charitable purposes.

A trust was established and in 1757 the trustees for Bishop Crewes Charity commenced the long task of restoration work began, the castle eventually passed to Lord Armstrong, who at considerable expense continued the restoration to its present state.

The parish church of St. Aidan which stands at the top of Bamburgh village is on a site of great historic interest, as it is believed to have been built on the site of the original Saxon church where St. Aidan died in AD 651.

The crypt may originally have been used for the exhibition of relics connected with St. Aidan and consists of two chambers with a groined roof on the dividing wall where a Saxon sundial has been inserted.

Other striking features inside the church are the large nave with two arcades of four arches, with an additional richly arcaded series of eight lancet arches running around the upper section of walls.

This Web Site was Created without Banner or Pop Ups Adverts by Northern Walker
Please report any Problems or Enquiries to:
admin@Northern-Walker.co.uk www.Northern-Walker.co.uk

LOCAL WEATHER

© Copyright 2004

Underlined Text & Images are used for Hyper-Links to more Relevant Information

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Coast - I.Lindsay

Bamburgh has been fortified since the sixth century when Ida the Flamebearer made himself King of Bernicia, his grandson Ethelfrith later became King of Northumbria.

The fortifications held against three assaults from the Vikings in their longboats, but finally fell to the Normans and William Rufus when he captured the husband of Matilda the Countess of Northumberland, who they held as hostage threatening to blind him.

Grace Darling Museum

Royal National Lifeboat Institute museum commemorates the life of lifeboat heroine Grace Darling who with her father rescued survivors from the shipwreck of the SS Forfarshire in 1838. This small museum in Bamburgh has the original boat used in the rescue on display.

Seahouses

Craster & Dunstanbrugh

Dunstanburgh Castle - D. Charlton

Beadnell Village

Coastal Village in the Shadow of a Great Castle

The origins of Bamburgh and some of the first references to it, date back as far as the Romans, prior to AD 547 it was known to be a Celtic stronghold and fortified town called "Dinguayrdi" or "Dinguoaroy".

During the eighth century, Bamburgh was described as a "Strongly fortified city, not very large, but being the size of two or three fields having one entrance hollowed out of the rock and raised in steps"

The mighty castle itself stands 150 feet above sea level, on a basalt rock overlooking the sea to the east, and dwarfing the village to the west. Although considered to be an almost impregnable fortress, the Viking raids wrought destruction on it.

In AD 926, Bamburgh was attacked and taken by Athelstan, from its then defender - King Aldred, then by the Danes in 933 and in 1095, William Rufus led his army against Bamburgh.

In 1164 the Bamburgh Castle was rebuilt by Henry II, since when it never lost any of its fame or importance during the succeeding centuries of warfare.

Royal visits being a regular occurrence with King John in 1201 & 1213, Henry III in 1221, Phillipa of Hainault in 1333 and Edward III in 1356.

The castle remained in Royal hands, and had a strong historic role, particularly during the Border Wars and during the Wars of the Roses, it was used by Queen Margaret, wife of Henry VI as her fortress.

The ravages of time bombardment of fierce wars that were fought over the years took its toll on the castle until 1704, when it came into the posession of the Bishop of Durham Lord Nathaniel Crewe who bequeathed it in his will for charitable purposes.

A trust was established and in 1757 the trustees for Bishop Crewes Charity commenced the long task of restoration work began, the castle eventually passed to Lord Armstrong, who at considerable expense continued the restoration to its present state.

The parish church of St. Aidan which stands at the top of Bamburgh village is on a site of great historic interest, as it is believed to have been built on the site of the original Saxon church where St. Aidan died in AD 651.

The crypt may originally have been used for the exhibition of relics connected with St. Aidan and consists of two chambers with a groined roof on the dividing wall where a Saxon sundial has been inserted.

Other striking features inside the church are the large nave with two arcades of four arches, with an additional richly arcaded series of eight lancet arches running around the upper section of walls.

This Web Site was Created without Banner or Pop Ups Adverts by Northern Walker Please report any Problems or Enquiries to: admin@Northern-Walker.co.uk www.Northern-Walker.co.uk

This Web Site was Created without Banner or Pop Ups Adverts by Northern Walker
Please report any Problems or Enquiries to:
admin@Northern-Walker.co.uk www.Northern-Walker.co.uk