Make for the coast these holidays and have the best day out in history at Bamburgh Castle –  rain or shine!

The backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Transformers: The Last Night  as well as sword-wielding high octane adventure saga The Last Kingdom,  jump into action and come along to iconic Bamburgh Castle where we’ve great value fun and exciting things to do for everyone all summer long.

Get a taste for action with Bamburgh’s famous hero Uhtred’s School of Warriors. Children can learn what it’s like to be a Viking warrior on the very spot where real Vikings once stood. Name your sword and learn swash-buckling weaponry techniques. Unleash your battle cry and rise to the challenge of Uhtred’s daring Viking challenges. Click here for Warrior School dates.

Hoof it along for Marley Mondays. A must for pony-mad little ones, meet Shetland pony Marley in the Castle grounds and take part in fun activities while learning more about taking care of a pony. Meet Marley and his owner Lisa every Monday.

Settle down for family favourite Peter Rabbit and the Tales of Benjamin Bunny with a special outdoor theatre performance of  Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tales in the Castle grounds on Friday August 4.

You couldn’t script a better film night than our open air cinema screenings. Our stellar line up of feel-good favourites begins with Dirty Dancing on Friday August 11. Dance and sing along to MAMMA MIA! on Saturday August 12. Unleash your inner trouper with The Greatest Showman on Saturday August 26. And topping off with a singing and dancing finale is Grease, on Sunday August 27. You’re welcome to bring your own food and drink or buy on site.

Experience Saxon life at the Castle when the brilliant Acle re-enactors make their camp in the Castle. There’ll be lots going on in their village with celebrations for the arrival of Queen Bebba, including feast preparations, daring displays of combat, storytelling and games. July 29 – 30 and August 26 – 28.

Watch the near magical skills of Viking Blacksmith Alex Sowdon who made a replica of Bamburgh’s famous pattern-welded snake sword. Meet Alex on August 19 and 20.

No The Last Kingdom fan should miss our Follow in the Footsteps of Uhtred tours with award-winning Ragnar viking. Fascinating for anyone hungry to hear more of Bamburgh’s dramatic past and how it changed the course of history, learn more about Bebbanburg’s famous warrior and the hero of the global Netflix hit series and feature film, Seven Kings Must Die.

People have travelled far and wide just to see our exclusive The Last Kingdom costumes and props exhibition. Free with general admission tickets, get up close to clothing, props and curios from the series worn by stars including Alexander Dreymon.

Make medieval – and more contemporary revels on the Inner Ward lawn with free outdoor games and sports, from croquet to giant Jenga and Connect Four.

No day would be complete without four-legged members of the family. Dogs are welcome in the Castle grounds and Victorian Stables but due to the nature of the building and our collections aren’t permitted inside the staterooms or Armstrong & Aviation museum. Our new dog sitting service is sure to get tails wagging – especially as it’s helping raise money for our chosen charity partner Northumberland Dog Rescue. Trained volunteers will be offering a pet sitting service so visitors can explore inside the staterooms while their dog is being made a fuss of by qualified and experienced dog experts inside the Castle grounds.

Plus there’s new interactive and immersive interpretations that bring to life Bamburgh’s amazing past in a fun and exciting way. Channel your inner Indiana with our interactive archaeology dig, sit down to dinner with characters from Bamburgh’s past and pit your wits against warriors who have done battle on this very site

Bamburgh Castle is gracing big screens across the world as it features as a location  in the new action-adventure franchise – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Since 1981, Hollywood legend Harrison Ford has travelled to countless far-flung locations in his role as the daredevil on-screen archaeologist in the Indiana Jones series. But Indy’s final adventure in Dial of Destiny brings him to Bamburgh Castle in the Hollywood blockbuster which can be seen in cinemas now.

In it, Bamburgh Castle doubles as 1944 Nazi-Germany and features in the opening scenes for the movie, starring Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Antonio Banderas alongside Harrison Ford.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle with Bamburgh Castle, was location manager Duncan Broadfoot who said: “We narrowed it down to a couple of options and when we brought our director he immediately knew that Bamburgh was the right choice. We were there for two weeks dressing the castle and it looked really fantastic when we came to film.”

The Indy locations team had scoured the “length and breadth” of the country in their quest for the perfect castle.

“We needed a castle that had a nice entrance, grand court yard and grand interior space and we found that in Bamburgh,” Duncan said.

Also speaking on BBC Newcastle to presenter Matt Bailey was Claire Watson-Armstrong wife of Bamburgh Castle owner Francis. She said: “We are so excited about seeing Bamburgh on the big screen and how it will be represented after months of anticipation and excitement. It’s a huge privilege that Bamburgh Castle was chosen to star in arguably the greatest film series ever made and will go down in movie history as one of globe trotting Indiana Jones’ locations.

“Welcoming Hollywood royalty including Harrison Ford, director James Mangold and the legendary Frank Marshall to Bamburgh was incredible and the entire production unit were a joy to have with us.”

Visitors can look out for locations used in the film including our Inner Ward courtyard, Crewe Entrance, the King’s Hall and Cross Hall fireplace.

To celebrate Bamburgh’s leading role, visitors can take part in an Indiana Jones trail inside the Castle staterooms. Visitors dressed up as Indiana Jones will also be entered into a draw to win an annual pass.

Don’t miss seeing Bamburgh Castle on the big screen in Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny in cinemas now.

The coronation weekend is just around the corner!

We’ve a majestic events line up to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and for you to enjoy a day out that’s fit for a King.

Follow in the footsteps of monarchs who have lived and visited Bamburgh Castle for a royally good time for all the family with events and activities all based on Bamburgh’s royal past over the centuries.

Have a coronation of your own and be crowned King or Queen of the North on Bamburgh Castle’s Gift Throne – a replica throne upon which warriors once swore allegiance to the King – and see the original throne inside our Staterooms.

If you’re a fan of The Last Kingdom and watched the newly released feature length special Seven Kings Must Die you’ll know Bamburgh Castle is the real Bebbanburg and Uhtred the Bold was once its ruler. Our Coronation special  ‘Follow in the Footsteps of Uhtred’ Tours with Ragnar the Viking include entry into the Castle grounds and Staterooms where our exclusive The Last Kingdom exhibition of costumes and props including the Wessex Throne can be seen. Click here for tour dates, times and to book tickets.

Meanwhile prince and princesses can pit their skills at the Uhtred Warrior School with Ragnar. Click here for Warrior School information, dates and times. 

King Oswald is in the Castle with his army of followers in the form of the brilliant Acle Re-enactors. You’ll step back in time to 633 when Bamburgh was a royal citadel and home to the Kings of Northumbria.  King Oswald will be looking for volunteers to train as his warriors –  but are you brave enough to fight for King and country?

Historian and Bamburgh Castle expert Carol Griffiths will be giving fascinating talks about the monarchs who’ve influenced the Castle over the centuries. Talks are included free with general admission on May 5th, 7th, 9th and 9th.

And to crown it all on Sunday May 7th we’re making our own piece of history and paying tribute to King Charles III by creating a giant sand art design on the beach below the Castle. Claire Eason of Soul 2 Sand will be designing and making the special commemorative artwork – and you could be part of it.

We’d love you to join us and help Claire rake and fill out the design. Places are very limited and are being allocated via pre-booked sessions between 12 noon and 2.00pm. Click here to apply.

Don’t miss the chance to watch history being made. Our battlements 150 feet above the installation will give a bird’s eye view of the artwork as it is created and to see and experience the finished design.

COMING SOON: Her debut historic novel Cecily  is a Sunday Times and Times ‘Top Pick’ and a Waterstones Best Book. Meet author Annie Garthwaite on Friday May 12th for an exclusive ‘Audience With’ event inside the Castle and find out how she brought Cecily to the page. This astonishing story plunges you into the blood and exhilaration of the Wars of the Roses and reimagines the life of Cecily, Duchess of York – mother of Kings, wife and shrewd political player. Bamburgh Castle became the first Castle in England to fall to gunpowder during the Wars of the Roses. A special tour will follow Annie’s talk. Tickets include admission into the Castle and Staterooms.

There were cheers and whoops from Team Bamburgh Castle as we were named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the glittering North East England Tourism Awards.

Judges were wowed by our ‘outstanding customer service’ and new interactive interpretations in the category which recognises large visitor attractions who provide a truly memorable visitor experience and demonstrate excellence across every aspect of their business.

Picking up the award was our visitor services manager Karen Larkin who said: “We are absolutely chuffed to bits to have won. The awards are an outstanding celebration of the very best of the region’s tourism businesses. Winning is a huge accolade and means so much to us.

“This award is very much for our amazing team. They are 100% dedicated and invested in the Castle and making our visitor experience phenomenal. This award is for you all.

“It was fantastic being surrounded by so many outstanding businesses and organisations and the people behind them who are passionate about the tourism sector. Everyone there was a winner.”

It was the 20^th anniversary of the North East awards which champion the very best of the region’s tourism industry. TV presenter, actor and Bamburgh Castle fan Robson Green picked up a special Outstanding Contribution to North East Tourism award in praise of his efforts to champion the region through his programmes, including his most recent, Weekend Escapes.

He said: “It’s an absolute privilege and honour to receive this award and I feel incredibly humbled and to be honest incredibly surprised. It really is a recognition of the talent I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked alongside, the majority of whom are from the North East of England. All I’ve done during my career is help to tell stories some of which showcase an area I’m really proud to call home and the fact that this has been recognised with this award gives me the inertia to do more!”.

Thank you to NewcastleGateshead Initiative who organise the event and to the judges and facilitators who make these brilliant awards possible.

Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred of Bebbanburg © Carnival

Fans of the hit Netflix series The Last Kingdom will be able to get up close to costumes and props worn by actors in the sword-wielding saga in an exhibition at Bamburgh Castle – the original fortress of Bebbanburg in Northumberland.

The exhibition includes costumes worn by Alexander Dreymon who plays Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Thea Sofie Loch Næss who starred as Skade, Ola Rapace who played Viking warrior Bloodhair, and Cavan Clerkin who played warrior-priest Father Pyrlig.

The Last Kingdom is produced by leading drama specialists Carnival Films, whose shows include television and film sensation Downton Abbey.

Nigel Marchant, Producer, Carnival Films said: “It’s truly wonderful that Bamburgh Castle are putting on this exhibition and giving the show’s loyal fans and members of the public the chance to step into the real Last Kingdom. The props and costumes are such an integral part of the series, it seems only right they get to stand proudly on display at Uhtred’s ancestral home of Bebbanburg.”

Karen Larkin, visitor services manager at Bamburgh Castle, said: “Fans of The Last Kingdom will be able to see for themselves that Uhtred’s sword has returned to Bebbanburg as he said it would!

“The exhibition includes a bespoke selection of key props and costumes from the series. It’s  located in the Castle’s King’s Hall on the very footprint of Bebbanburg’s medieval banqueting hall – our Valhalla – where the real Uhtred could have feasted. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!”

“Even if you haven’t watched the series, the exhibition will bring to life characters based on Bamburgh’s epic past as capital of the kingdom of Northumbria and the kings and queens of its Golden Age.”

News of the exhibition comes as Carnival Films announced the release date for the feature-length movie – Seven Kings Must Die – on April 14^th on Netflix.

The Last Kingdom at Bebbanburg exhibition opens on Saturday February 18^th  2023 when the Castle reopens daily to visitors from 10am until 5.00pm (last admission 4.00pm). The exhibition will be open until Sunday 5th November 2023.

From 5th November 2023 – 9th February 2024, the exhibition will not be available to view. However, it will be back from 10th February 2024 until 3rd November 2024!

Included in general admission.

Excitement is mounting as award-winning theatrical designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber and her team have begun their fairy tale job of creating the region’s largest indoor Christmas experience at magnificent Bamburgh Castle.

To keep their magic a surprise for visitors, the Castle will be temporarily closed from Monday November 7 while Charlotte and her team from CLW Events transform the Castle’s staterooms in to a whimsical world of festive wonder, ready for The Christmas Kingdom at Bamburgh Castle’s official opening on Saturday November 12.

This year’s theme is The Twelve Days of Christmas. Promising to be one of the best Christmas events in the UK, families and adults alike will be able to leap into an enchanting wonderland of dazzling decorations, twinkling trees and festive flourishes including swans-a-swimming, pipers playing, gold rings and of course a partridge in a pear tree!

Owner of Bamburgh Castle Francis Watson-Armstrong said: “There’s a wonderful festive feel in the air which means Charlotte and her team have returned to Bamburgh to work their Christmas magic!

“We are so excited to see this year’s experience, The Twelve Days of Christmas. It promises to be absolutely fantastic and mesmerising for all ages and will get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

“So that Charlotte and her team can keep this year’s experience a complete surprise for our visitors, the Castle will be temporarily closed from Monday November 7^th until The Twelve Days of Christmas grand opening on Saturday November 12”.

Charlotte Lloyd Webber said: “We are very excited to be returning to beautiful Bamburgh Castle to create The Twelve Days of Christmas that will be utterly enthralling for visitors.

“Bamburgh Castle simply oozes history, drama and more than a little magic.  We are excited to be weaving this into the fabulous festive wonderland that is The Twelve Days of Christmas, with added shine and sparkle from Bamburgh’s own rich history.”

• The Twelve Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle runs from Saturday 12 November – Sunday 8 January, daily from 10am – 4pm.

• Entrance included free with general admission tickets: Adults £15.50 / Children £7.65 / Children aged four and under free of charge. Family tickets are also available priced at £37.10. New joint and individual annual passes are available to purchase (£55/£35) both include free admission for up to three children under the age of 16. BOOK TICKETS 

This Halloween visitors to Bamburgh Castle might bump into Alfgred the Anglo Saxon doctor – and be warned – she’s not for the faint-hearted!

Anglo Saxon physician Alfgred will be at Bamburgh Castle on Saturday October 24 and Sunday October 25 showing how patients were treated centuries before things like Paracetamol, anaesthetic and Elastoplast were invented.

Karen Larkin events manager at Bamburgh Castle said: “Life was very different for people living in Anglo Saxon times, but just like us today, they went to see a doctor or physician when they were unwell or had been injured.

“They also had to deal with some grisly injuries in combat on the battlefield. Let’s just say the treatment was a little different then and those who are squeamish might have to look away during Alfgred’s Anglo Saxon Doctor sessions.

“Please be aware there will be blood, guts and maybe even gore, Alfgred is quite brutal so be prepared!”

Sessions with physician Alfgred are suitable for children aged six and over and take place in the Castle’s West Ward Bell Tent at 11am, 1pm and 3pm each day.

Uhtred’s Viking School returns for the half term holidays with Ragnar the Viking putting youngsters through their warrior paces on October 20^th and 26^th. Discover who has the loudest blood-curdling war cry, name your Viking sword and get the chance to be crowned King or Queen of the North.

There’s a special Halloween Hope the Dragon trail around the castle grounds. Follow the clues and if you discover Hope’s special Halloween word there’s a sweet treat reward at the end!  Hope the Dragon’s Halloween Trail runs from October 15 to October 30.

And if you fancy doing something that’s completely unrelated to Halloween, why not make a beautiful Autumnal Wreath using locally foraged foliage from Bamburgh Castle Estate. Workshops take place on Tuesday October 18 and Tuesday October 25.

Sessions take place in The King’s Hall and all materials and instruction is provided. Wreath making workshops must be  pre booked.

For more information about Halloween and half term events at Bamburgh Castle visit our What’s On page.

Bamburgh Castle owners, staff and visitors have been paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Hundreds of people have signed a Book of Condolence in the Castle’s King’s Hall, expressing their feelings about the loss of the Queen and paying their respects to the UK’s longest reigning monarch.

Bamburgh Castle owner Francis Watson-Armstrong wrote the first tribute inside the book which stands alongside a portrait of the late Queen.

Mr Watson-Armstrong said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Royal Family.

“Her Majesty was the bedrock of our nation. A defining and impactful figure of our times, she had an unshakeable sense of duty and was a remarkable and tireless leader who provided our nation with resilience, stability and continuity through decades of great change.

“The Queen was a constant presence in all our lives across many different generations. The loss of our monarch has had a profound and deep effect on so many.”

Bamburgh Castle’s Book of Condolence will remain in place for people to add their own tribute to Queen Elizabeth until after Her Majesty’s State Funeral on Monday 19 September.

A selection of the messages will be passed on to members of the Royal Family, while the Book will remain in Bamburgh Castle archives as a legacy to Queen Elizabeth and her unfaltering devotion to her country and Commonwealth.

After being raised for the proclamation of King Charles III, Bamburgh Castle’s Union Flag was lowered to half-mast again in honour of the Queen and her passing.

Bamburgh Castle will be closed on Monday 19 September for the Queen’s State Funeral.

A herd of life-size sheep lit up in bright colours are flocking to Bamburgh Castle celebrating the homecoming of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the North East.

The Illuminated Sheep have been created by artist Deepa Mann-Kler and are inspired by the Gospels’ themes of light, sheep and pilgrimage and will form part of a new visual art trail to light up Northumberland this Autumn.

The sheep will be taking up residency in the castle’s West Ward which faces The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, birthplace of the Gospels, from Friday 30 September until Sunday 2 October 2022. To mark the flock’s arrival and launch the new arts trail, Bamburgh Castle will be offering extended evening admission on Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October  2022 so visitors can experience the Illuminated Sheepflock at dusk. During this time, the Castle will be open from 5.00pm until 8.00pm (last admission for staterooms 5.45pm).

Bamburgh Castle owner Francis Watson-Armstrong said: “We are delighted to be launching the Illuminated Sheep art trail which will light up Northumberland in a wonderfully unique way, while helping people to learn more of the culture and heritage across our remarkable county.

“Given Bamburgh’s rich Anglo Saxon history, it is especially relevant that the Sheep are beginning their journey on the very site that is so intrinsically linked with the Gospels and their formation. We look forward to sharing this experience with visitors and celebrating the homecoming of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the region.”

Bamburgh Castle was once home to the Anglo Saxon Kings and capital of the kingdom of Northumbria. In 634 AD and after 30 years in exile, King Oswald returned to Bamburgh Castle to reclaim his throne. He brought Aidan, a monk and missionary from the island of Iona on the west coast of Scotland to convert the Anglo Saxons to Christianity. Oswald gave Aidan land to establish a monastery on Lindisfarne where the famous illuminated manuscript was later created.

Visitors will also be able to view the flock during the Castle’s usual daytime opening hours of 10.00am until 5.00pm.

Following the launch, the Illuminated Sheep flock will disperse to different locations creating art trails from Berwick to Hexham. Locals and visitors are being encouraged to channel their inner shepherd and #FindTheFlock while exploring Northumberland’s landscape, heritage and culture.

Internationally renowned and multi-disciplinary artist Deepa Mann-Kler will put her unique stamp on the flock of model sheep. Deepa explores concepts of belonging and identity by creating artwork that is deeply rooted in the communities surrounding her. She has exhibited internationally in solo and group exhibitions in China, America, Germany and Ireland, and has featured prominently in Lumiere Festivals.

For more information visit her websites at www.deepamannkler.com and www.discoverneon.com.

Illuminated Sheep is being developed and managed by Hexham Cultural Network on behalf of Hexham High Street Heritage Action Zone Cultural Programme (HSHAZ) and led by Queen’s Hall Arts.

HSHAZ is an ambitious scheme seeking to deliver major improvements to boost the town centre and enhance the Conservation Area. It is a partnership between Historic England, Northumberland County Council, Hexham Town Council and the Hexham Community Partnership, working with the local community.

Illuminated Sheep is part of Lindisfarne Gospels 2022 – a programme of events inspired by the display of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the North East in autumn 2022. On loan from the British Library, the spectacular manuscript will take centre stage in an exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne from 17 September – 3 December 2022. www.lindisfarnegospels2022.com

• Buy evening tickets to see the Illuminated Sheep flock here or purchase at the gate (up until 5.30pm). Refreshments will be available on the night.

• Daytime tickets for Bamburgh Castle including the Illuminated Flock, State Rooms, Grounds and Armstrong & Aviation Museum are available here.

The Christmas Kingdom at Bamburgh Castle is returning – and it’s going to be more spectacular than ever before.

This year, Bamburgh Castle’s staterooms will be transformed into a whimsical, enchanting world of  lords-a-leaping, swans-a-swimming, gold rings gleaming,  a partridge in a pear tree and many more magical things besides, as we present The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Launching on Saturday November 12th and included with general admission tickets to Bamburgh Castle, The Twelve Days festive wonderland will include stunning theatrical sets and lighting, fabulous floral displays, thousands of baubles and twinkling lights as well as a magnificent Christmas tree.

Award-winning theatrical designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber and her team – CLW Event Design – are returning to the castle  to create this festive spectacular following the success of our first-ever major Christmas installation last year – Saints & Angels.

While this year’s Meet Father Christmas experiences and festive wreath making have sold out, sign up to our newsletter for early subscriber booking access next year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle runs from Saturday 12 November – Sunday 8 January. Entry is included with general admission tickets.