Prudhoe Castle — Attraction in Prudhoe

I love the way the history of this Castle has been presented through the graphic information boards in the exhibition rooms of the manor house. Archaeologists and Historians have been able to chart what this place would have looked like from it's founding back in 1120 as a timber castle to it's current final form of 1850 onwards. The Gatehouse and surrounding curtain walls are the oldest surviving part of the stone castle built around 1150 with the Keep constructed soon after. Unsurprisingly, as the prominent family in Northumberland for much of it's early history, this is another property that was acquired by the Percys (Earls of Northumberland) in 1398 from the Umfravilles through marriage. It's really worth spending an hour in the exhibition area to understand the importance and history of this place across 900 years. Just outside the Castle are the remains of an 18th Century Mill used by the local community to grind their grain. It was a lucrative business for the Castle owners who were paid by taking a portion of the flour produced. The stream that powered the Mill is fed from the pond you pass as you...

Don't go out of your way to visit this castle. Yes it looks spectacular from some angles but beyond the entrance approach there's not much to grab your interest. There's a few rooms to visit with some mediocre displays and storyboards. It's the first castle I've ever been to and not taken a photograph.

It's fairly typical of English Heritage properties and you probably need to be an absolute history or castle enthusiast to get value for money. I appreciate the the importance of entrance fees to help maintain properties like this but on the other hand they had the heating on while doors to the outside were wide open.

At least this site has free parking unlike some of their sites. If you're likely to visit several English Heritage properties per year it might be worth joining as I think you get free parking even when there's a...

A fantastic place for an autumnal walk.

It took perhaps two and a half hours to fully explore the property, there are plenty of information boards dotted around and the house is filled with artifacts, further information, and even some games on the top floor. There is a gift shop in the house, where you buy your tickets, that also sells hot and cold drinks. The staff member working the desk was very friendly. Definitely explore the hall first as there is no boot scraper and walking around the woods and walls will leave you a bit muddy.

The toilets were clean and well maintained with plenty of hot water which is rare for historical properties.

The only downside is other people spoilng it - on the walk around the outside of the walls there was some rubbish...