Whittingham Tower

Overview

Whittingham Tower, sometimes referred to as Whittingham Castle, is a ruined medieval tower house located near the village of Whittingham, close to Alnwick in Northumberland, England. Built in the 15th century, it served as a fortified residence for the local gentry during the turbulent centuries of Anglo-Scottish Border warfare. Though now in ruins, the remains stand as a powerful reminder of the defensive domestic architecture that characterised the Northumbrian landscape in the later Middle Ages.

Early history

The tower was constructed by the Whittingham or Errington family, both of whom held land in the area from the Middle Ages. Its purpose was not as a great fortress but as a pele tower — a small, stoutly built residence offering protection against raiders and reivers who frequently crossed the Anglo-Scottish frontier. The structure’s erection reflected the unstable conditions of 15th-century Northumberland, where fortified houses were a practical necessity for survival and security.

Building and layout

Whittingham Tower was built of local sandstone and originally rose three storeys high. It featured thick walls, narrow slit windows for defence, and a vaulted basement used for storage or as a refuge during attack. The main living quarters were on the upper floors, accessed via a narrow spiral stair. Evidence of a parapet and battlements suggests it was designed for both watch and defence. The tower likely formed part of a larger manorial complex that included domestic ranges, outbuildings, and possibly a surrounding enclosure wall.

Later history and decline

After the union of the English and Scottish crowns in 1603 under James VI and I, the Border region became more peaceful, and many fortified towers lost their defensive purpose. Whittingham Tower was gradually abandoned as a residence, and by the 17th century it had fallen into ruin. Some of its stonework was reused in nearby buildings, and the surrounding manor evolved into a more open estate. Antiquarians in the 18th and 19th centuries recorded the remains, noting their resemblance to other pele towers of the period.

Present condition

Today, the ruins of Whittingham Tower stand within private land near the village of Whittingham. The lower portions of the walls survive to several metres in height, clearly showing the tower’s rectangular plan and the robustness of its construction. The site is not generally open to the public but can be viewed from nearby roads and footpaths. Though modest in scale, Whittingham Tower remains an evocative example of the fortified homes that once dotted the Northumbrian landscape, reflecting centuries of conflict, resilience, and adaptation on the Borders.