Warkworth

This quaint village is overlooked by the massive remains of Warkworth Castle, one of the most splendid ruins of its type in Northumberland without extensive restoration or change like the castles of Bamburgh and Alnwick. Warkworth Castle was built in the 13th century as the seat of the Percy family, the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland and is now in the care of English Heritage.

Upstream from the castle along a shady riverside path is the Hermitage, carved into the cliff on the riverbank. The Hermitage was built by the first Earl of Northumberland and has a chapel, confessional and sleeping area where a private chaplain was paid to live and perform services.  

St Lawrence’s Church sits at the heart of the village, one of the finest Norman churches in the county. A 14th century stone bridge, complete with gatehouse crosses the River Coquet and makes an ideal spot to watch wildlife. There are 18th and 19th century sandstone houses lining the streets, with the settlement layout still echoing earlier burgage plots. The saltmarshes, sand dunes and long sandy beach is about a mile outside the village.