Kings, Dragons and Dungeons: A Guide To Castle-Hopping in North East England
North East England packs more castles into its coastline and countryside than almost anywhere else in the UK and this summer, they make for the perfect adventure. From the Hogwarts-famous battlements of Alnwick Castle to the 800-year-old dungeon that lies beneath Newcastle's city centre, this is a region where youngsters can be knights and grown-ups can stand exactly where kings, saints and outlaws once stood!
Whether you've got a week or weekend to explore, here's your ready-made guide to the best castle and heritage experiences across North East England, with real fun facts, real bookings, and real reasons to pack the car for an exciting road-trip.
Why North East England Is A Castle-Lover's Playground:
Centuries of border conflict between England and Scotland, Viking raids, and powerful noble families like the Percys and Nevilles left this region with one of the densest concentrations of castles anywhere in Britain. The result today: a summer holiday where your children can go from Anglo-Saxon kings to Harry Potter film sets to real underground dungeons, often in the same day.
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland - A Real-life Hogwarts
Alnwick Castle is a leading Northumberland attraction and filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, with unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages.
Book now on New Adventures:
- Alnwick and Warkworth: Small Private Group Tour — a full-day exploration of the historic castles and towns of Alnwick and Warkworth, tracing the story of the powerful Percy family, finishing at the picturesque riverside ruins of Warkworth Castle.
- Admission to The Alnwick Garden, right next door — home to the largest collection of European plants in the UK and the largest Japanese Cherry Orchard in the world, with play areas built in for families.
- Multi-Day Castles Tour, extend your trip — combine Alnwick with Bamburgh, Lindisfarne, Raby Castle and Bishop Auckland for the ultimate North East castle road trip.
Tynemouth Priory and Castle - Castle, Coast and Cannons
Fun fact: Tynemouth Priory and Castle's steep-sided headland commands the entrance to the River Tyne, and beneath the ruins visitors can venture down into underground gun batteries used to defend the Tyne through both World Wars.
With 2,000 years of history and beautiful sea views, it's the perfect spot for a family day out, and being clifftop and outdoors a naturally brilliant match for a beach day at Tynemouth's Longsands right next door.
Pair it with: Tynemouth's surfing and watersports experiences for an active-meets-history day out along North Tyneside's coastline; swapping castle battlements for the waves in the same afternoon!
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland - England's Finest Coastal Fortress
Bamburgh is undoubtedly one of England's finest coastal fortress, standing guard 150 feet above the Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years. Perched above sweeping views towards the Farne Islands and Holy Island, Bamburgh's treasure-filled staterooms include the King's Hall centrepiece, and it remains the private family seat of the Armstrong family to this day, having starred in films from Transformers: The Last Knight to Netflix's The Last Kingdom.
Book now on New Adventures:
- Bamburgh and Lindisfarne Private Tour - an 8-hour journey beginning at Bamburgh Castle, once the heart of the Kingdom of Northumbria, before crossing to Lindisfarne to explore the ancient priory and the story of the Lindisfarne Gospels, with a stop in Bamburgh village along the way.
- Anglo-Saxon Northumberland Tour - a full-day guided tour taking in Ad Gefrin, Bamburgh Castle and St Aidan's Church, ideal for families keen to go deeper into Northumbria's Dark Ages history.
- Pilgrim's Path - Holy Island - This atmospheric journey, best experienced at low tide, takes you along the ancient route once traveled by Saxon Kings and Celtic Priests.
Top tip: Check tide times before you go! The causeway crossing to Lindisfarne is timed for safety, which makes for a genuinely exciting part of the day for kids.
Newcastle Castle - 800 Years of History, Right in the City Centre
Fun fact: Newcastle Castle's Keep is one of the UK's finest surviving medieval stone castle dungeons still open to the public, and the city itself takes its name from the "New Castle" built here in the 12th century. It's also said to be haunted by "The Poppy Girl," a former resident jailed for debt who died in the castle prison, a story that delights (and mildly terrifies) young ghost-hunters across the country!
Perfect for a rainy day or a city-break add-on, Newcastle Castle offers picturesque rooftop views alongside in-depth history displays covering the lives of castle inhabitants across the centuries.
Book now on New Adventures:
- Rogues & Vagabonds at Newcastle Castle - Kids create their own outlaw alias and take on interactive challenges throughout the castle, uncovering tales of rebellion and notorious characters like Black Jackey Johnson along the way.
- Medieval Newcastle Tours - A costumed walking tour from St Andrews, Newcastle's oldest church, through the city's hidden medieval history, finishing at the Castle Keep.
- Annual Admission to Newcastle Castle - unlimited visits all year for one ticket price, ideal for local families who want a regular rainy-day escape.
Ready to Start Your Castle Adventure?
North East England's iconic castles can turn any trip into a history lesson nobody complains about. Browse and book every experience above at newadventures.org.uk and start planning your new adventure today.