NORTHUMBRIA

 

The most northerly of the English counties, Northumberland has been much fought over by the British and the Scots for centuries. In fact, Berwick-on-Tweed must wonder if it's actually Irish!

It is an historic, spectacular and desolate place.

BAMBURGH

BAMBURGH

Standing high on a basalt outcrop, overlooking the North Sea, Bamburgh Castle is one of the most impressive looking castles in England. It is visible for many miles, and from its battlements offers views of Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island, the Farne Islands and the Cheviot Hills. 

In mythology, it is often considered to be the site of Sir Lancelot's 'Joyeux Gard' castle. The site of the castle has a history of occupation dating back to the 1st century BC. In 547. Bamburgh appears in history as the seat of an anglo-saxon king. It originally had a Celtic name, given as Din (fortress) Guayardi. It appears to have been an important place in the battles between the British and the English In the end, it lost its old Celtic name and acquired a new English one - Bamburgh

 One of the oldest buildings remaining is a large Norman Keep, probably built by Henry II. In 1464, during the Wars of the Roses, Bamburgh became the first castle to succumb to cannon fire, suffering heavy damage. The ruins of the castle were restored and extended in the 18th and 19th centuries leaving little of the earlier fortifications.

When we got to the castle, we asked the man in charge of the parking, if there was any hard standing where we could safely park the bikes, as following rain, the ground was a bit soft. He let us into the castle precincts, and told us to park on the tarmac in front of the entrance to the dungeons. He also offered to look after our helmets for us. Nice man!

What's left of Bamburgh Castle windmill (below) It was built in the mid 18th century and is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England.

Defensive Bamburgh - from arrow slits to cannon, Bamburgh has always been a main point of defence for the north-east coastline