PRUDHOE CASTLE
The inspiration for writing this blog was seeing a promotion by English Heritage in conjunction with Prudhoe Town Council and Northumberland County Council giving a 50% discount for Prudhoe residents and the surrounding areas for 3 days from Friday 12th July – Sunday 14th July 2019 inclusive. This applies for those in the NE42 and NE43 postcodes and you need to provide proof of address such as a council tax or utility bill.
I am originally from Prudhoe and now live in Edinburgh, although I still have friends and family in Prudhoe and regularly visit the area.
Anyone that lives in Prudhoe will know that Prudhoe stands for ‘Proud Hill’. Prudhoe Castle is a popular local attraction that is highly rated on TripAdvisor by visitors far and wide, yet many local residents have probably never visited it. This discount is a great opportunity for locals to visit and learn more about the history on their own doorstep.
This is a brief snapshot of the extensive history that can only be appreciated by a proper visit, and this Locals Day over a long weekend gives you the opportunity to do that.
Prudhoe Castle is a prominent landmark built on a steep embankment hidden behind woodland overlooking the River Tyne and is partly enclosed by a moat. It was built as part of a series of Norman castles along the River Tyne after 1066 and the Norman Conquest.
It is the only castle in Northumberland to resist the Scots and survived two sieges during the 1170s.
It was continuously occupied for over 9 centuries and belonged to the Umfraville family until 1398, when it was handed over to the Percy family by virtue of marriage. The Percy family’s principal seat and residence has been in Alnwick Castle for over 700 years, although Prudhoe Castle has been restored on more than one occasion and partly let out to tenants over the years. The current Duke of Northumberland still has an influence over decisions around Prudhoe to this day as a landowner.
Prudhoe Castle was virtually left as a ruin in 1776 after remaining unoccupied since the 1660s. The Percy family can be credited for various restoration projects over the centuries and particularly between 1808 – 1817.
It was handed over to the Crown in 1966 and is now managed by English Heritage.
Tip: Allow up to 2 hours to fully explore the facets including the keep, Georgian mansion and towered walls. Take a picnic as there is plenty of outdoor seating areas and picnic tables with ample free parking nearby.
Prudhoe Castle
Castle View
Prudhoe
Northumberland
NE42 6NA
Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Adults £5.90
Children (age 5 – 17) £3.50
Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £15.30
All hours and prices correct at the time of writing this in July 2019.
A Writer in Edinburgh 