Warkworth Castle

Warkworth Castle is a medieval stone castle near the village of Warkworth in Northumberland, England, with origins in the 12th century. It served as a principal stronghold of the Percy family from the later Middle Ages.

The site features a substantial 12th-century keep, surviving lengths of curtain wall and the ruins of domestic buildings within the inner bailey, all set on a loop of the River Coquet. The riverside setting and the compact remains make it straightforward to explore on foot and to photograph from the village bridge.

Construction began in the 12th century and the castle was augmented and remodelled in later medieval centuries, especially while controlled by the Percy earls. It functioned as both a defensive stronghold and a noble residence before declining into ruin and passing into state care.

The castle stands in the village of Warkworth on a meander of the River Coquet in Northumberland. Its location is rural and the site is approached via the village’s streets and footpaths.

• Visitor information: The castle is in the care of English Heritage and is open to the public; riverside perspectives from the adjacent bridge are particularly photogenic.

What to See #

• The Keep: The central keep, a tall stone tower dating to the 12th century, is the castle's most prominent surviving structure and is accessible to visitors.
• Curtain Wall & Gatehouse: Curtain walls and gatehouse remain along sections of the perimeter, illustrating the medieval defensive layout around the inner bailey.
• Great Hall & Domestic Ruins: Ruined domestic ranges including the remains of a great hall lie within the castle enclosure adjacent to the keep.