Bamburgh Castle

Standing guard from its rocky outcrop above miles of empty beaches it’s easy to see why this majestic building has such an impressive film and television pedigree.

From the 1927 drama Huntingtower directed by epic British filmmaker George Pearson to modern day TV series like How the Celts Saved Britain, the castle has welcomed some of the greatest actors and presenters during the course of television and movie history.

Richard Burton came to Bamburgh to shoot scenes for “Becket” with Peter O’Toole in 1964 bringing screen idol Elizabeth Taylor on location with him. It’s harsh beauty and history has captivated directors like Roman Polanski who filmed a violent interpretation of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” at the castle in 1971. In the same year acclaimed director Ken Russell chose Bamburgh as the backdrop for cult film, “The Devils” starring Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave.

The castle enjoys more than its fair share of legends and myths. The medieval fortress is thought by many to be the original site of Sir Lancelot's castle, Joyous Garde. In 2004 Bamburgh Castle featured in the £80 million "King Arthur" movie starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley.

Over the years the castle has starred in many a historical epic including the 1952 adaption “Ivanhoe” starring Elizabeth Taylor, “El Cid” with Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren in 1961, the 1972 film "Mary Queen of Scots" with Glenda Jackson and more recently “Elizabeth” with Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes in 1998.

The castle’s archaeological and historical discoveries have featured in the recent BBC series of How the Celts Saved Britain, Coast, Meet the Ancestors and Time Team as well as Sky’s Discovery channel.

Why not follow in the footsteps of the movie greats and visit Bamburgh Castle?