Bamburgh Castle reopens indoor areas on Monday May 17th

Monday will see the reopening of all of the castle’s 14 staterooms and Armstrong and Aviation Museum, after being closed for six months.

A Northumbrian piper will pipe in visitors with a piece of music composed especially for the castle, called ‘Bamburgh’ as the public is welcome over the castle’s threshold to explore 14 staterooms with their collections of armour, fine china, artwork and objets d’art that have been loved and treasured over the generations by castle owners, the Armstrong family.

Bamburgh Castle has been an Anglo Saxon royal citadel and a Norman stronghold. It was the first castle to fall to gunpowder during the Wars of the Roses in 1464 and one of the Crown’s most northerly outposts, defending against the infamous Border Reivers.

It served as a mini welfare state to the community for over 100 years during the 18th and 19th centuries, when it operated as a school, a hospital and launched the world’s first lifeboat and established a coastguard station from its arresting site which overlooks the Farne Islands and Holy Island.

The castle was bought by Victorian innovator and engineer William Armstrong in 1894 who restored Bamburgh Castle into the quintessential castle that stands to this day, dominating the Northumberland coastline on its mighty outcrop of the Great Whin Sill. The castle reminds the private family seat of the Armstrong family to this day.

The castle is open daily as a Covid-secure attraction from 10am until 5pm (last admission 4pm). There are also incredible self catering apartments in its very walls – The Clock Tower and Nevill Tower, while the grounds play hosts to events throughout the year, including an Anglo Saxon re-enactment weekend (May 29 – 31) and open air cinema nights in its Inner Ward during August.

Bamburgh Castle is a dog friendly attraction with dogs permitted in its grounds and Armstrong and Aviation museum.

Tickets to Bamburgh Castle can be pre-booked at www.bamburghcastle.com and are priced at £12.50 for adults; £6.15 for children and family tickets priced at £32.95. For more information please visit www.bamburghcastle.com

Members of the media are invited to join us on Monday May 17th from 10am for picture, interview and filming opportunities inside the castle’s staterooms and grounds. Members of the Armstrong family will be available to interview as the castle emerges from lockdown fully, marking a historic day in its 1400 year old history.