Warkworth Castle

Overview

Warkworth Castle is one of the finest and most imposing medieval fortresses in northern England. Standing on a high, river-encircled spur above the River Coquet in Northumberland, it served as the principal seat of the powerful Percy family, Earls (and later Dukes) of Northumberland. Originally founded in the 12th century, the castle evolved over several centuries from an early motte-and-bailey fortification into an impressive stone stronghold crowned by one of the most architecturally distinctive keeps in England. Today, Warkworth Castle is managed by English Heritage and remains a striking symbol of the turbulent history of the Anglo-Scottish Borders.

Early history

The first castle at Warkworth was likely built shortly after the Norman Conquest, possibly by Roger fitz Richard, a vassal of the de Merlay family, who held Warkworth by the late 12th century. Its position overlooking a strategic bend in the River Coquet offered both natural defence and control over the route north towards Alnwick and the border. The early castle consisted of a motte and bailey enclosed by timber defences, later rebuilt in stone as the threat of Scottish invasion grew.

In 1328, Warkworth passed by marriage to the Percy family, whose rise to national prominence would transform it into one of the great seats of northern power.

Building and layout

The castle’s layout is roughly diamond-shaped, enclosed by a curtain wall with towers at key points. The most famous feature is the great keep, begun in the late 14th century under Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland. Built in fine sandstone, the keep is a masterpiece of medieval design — a cruciform structure with projecting turrets and richly decorated Gothic windows. It housed the lord’s private apartments, hall, chapel, and service rooms across several storeys, arranged with both splendour and practicality.

Within the outer walls lay extensive domestic ranges, including the great hall, kitchens, stables, and a gatehouse. Across the river, a short distance from the castle, stands the Hermitage of Warkworth, a 14th-century chapel carved directly into the cliff rock — traditionally said to have been built by a remorseful knight seeking solitude and penance.

Later history and decline

Warkworth Castle played a central role in the political and military conflicts of the 14th and 15th centuries. The Percys were key figures in the Wars of the Roses and earlier rebellions against the Crown — notably Henry “Hotspur” Percy’s uprising against King Henry IV in 1403. After repeated confiscations and restorations, the castle remained in Percy hands until the 17th century. By then, its defensive value had diminished, and parts of the castle were dismantled or fell into ruin after the Civil War.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Dukes of Northumberland undertook preservation work, recognising the castle’s historical importance. Antiquarians, artists, and poets — including William Turner and Sir Walter Scott — celebrated Warkworth as a romantic emblem of medieval grandeur.

Present condition

Today, Warkworth Castle stands as one of the best-preserved and most evocative ruins in northern England. The great keep survives almost intact, offering a remarkable insight into medieval lordly life. The curtain walls, towers, and gatehouse outline the full scale of the fortress, and visitors can explore both the main castle and the nearby Hermitage, accessible by boat across the Coquet. Managed by English Heritage, Warkworth is a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Monument, admired as much for its architectural refinement as for its commanding setting.