Ragnar the Viking at Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland. Photograph: Stuart Boulton

Famous for being the real Last Kingdom Bamburgh Castle is launching new tours for fans of the cult Saxon saga along with a Viking School for budding Uhtreds.

Once home to the saint kings and queens of Northumbria and the inspiration for the hit historical TV series based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories, Bamburgh Castle is to host a series of exclusive new Last Kingdom tours.

Award-winning Viking expert and tour guide Robert Lundgren-Jones – known as Ragnar the Viking – will bring history to life and show how Uhtred climbed the ladder of power at Bamburgh to become allies with the Vikings and the King of England.

As well as comparing the fantasy of the famous Last Kingdom Netflix Series to the truth and finding out about battle scenes filmed nearby, to crown it all, tour-goers will get the chance to become Queen or King of the North on a warrior throne inside the castle grounds.

A must for fans of the series as well as anyone wanting to discover more about Bamburgh’s extraordinary Saxon history, Last Kingdom Tours take place at 11:00 and 13:30 on Wednesday 17th August, Sunday 28th August, Wednesday 31st August. Tours last two hours are priced £29.95 for adults and £14.95 for children. Tickets include full admission into the castle staterooms and grounds.

Meanwhile budding young Vikings can find out if they have what it takes to become a warrior at the castle’s Bebbanburg Viking School.

Join the Bebbanburg tribe with Ragnar, a young Viking Warrior, on the very spot where real Vikings once stood. Children will be able to name and yield their own sword, find out who has the loudest battle cry and take part in warrior tasks to be crowned Queen or King of the Bebbanburg Tribe.

Bebbanburg Viking School takes place at 11:00, 12 noon, 13:00 and 14:00 on Wednesday 10th August and Wednesday 24th August.

Enrolment for warriors-in-waiting aged five and over is £3 per child in addition to Bamburgh Castle general admission. Place numbers are limited and allocated on a first-come basis.

Francis Watson-Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle said: “Bamburgh has an absolutely phenomenal history and is famous for being the real Bebbanburg and inspiration for the Last Kingdom series.

“We are delighted to have teamed up with Northumberland’s finest Viking Ragnar – the alias of historian and tour guide Robert Lundgren Jones – so people can follow in the footsteps of Uhtred the Bold on the very site where his story unfolded.

“We hope younger children with enjoy learning more about the castle’s amazing history and have fun being put through their warrior paces with Ragnar on the very spot where real Vikings once stood with our new Viking School. I’ll have to look out, for who knows, they may be crowned king or queen of Bamburgh Castle itself!”

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Pups from hit children’s TV show PAW Patrol are heading to Bamburgh Castle for a weekend of historic fun.

The PAW patrol gang are visiting the Castle on Saturday 18 June and Sunday 19 June to celebrate the launch of their latest theme – Rescue Knights.

The new theme sees the gang get a medieval makeover so there’s no better way to celebrate than at Bamburgh Castle surrounded by 3000 years of amazing history.

PAW fans will be invited to find all the pups along a specially created Castle Trail and meet their heroes in real life for a photo opportunity alongside Skye and Marshall. Children (and adults!) can also have their picture taken alongside the all-new pup, Claw, and his dragon companion, Sparks.

Skye and Marshall will be taking a break from saving the world to make five appearances throughout both days between 11am and 4pm. The Pups will be available for meet and greets every hour for 30 minutes – as they will need to have a bowl of water and a little rest in between!

Francis Watson-Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle, said, “We’ve already had  visits from stars from the big screen including famous Hollywood actors but now it’s time to welcome the equally famous PAW Patrol gang! We can’t wait to see PAW Patrol fans at Bamburgh Castle to meet their heroes and enjoy an historic day out.”

PAW Patrol Rescue Knights is a whole new range of themed PAW Patrol toys, including refreshed figures with new themed outfits and accompanying dragons, as well as better than ever medieval themed vehicles, Rescue Knights Sparks the Dragon and Claw figure set and The Castle HQ playset for acting out adventures.

Book admission tickets and come along to meet your favourite PAW pup at Bamburgh Castle.

 

Hop into history and celebrate Easter at Bamburgh Castle with a host of springtime activities for all ages.

Whether you fancy hopping around our resident Dragon Hope’s Easter Trail – with a tasty Easter treat at the end, making your very own Easter inspired Bamburgh craft to take back home or being crowned King or Queen of the North by Viking warrior Ragnar there’s lots of eggs-citing things to do in and around the castle. 

From April 9 – 24 hop to it and follow Hope the Dragon’s Easter trail around the castle grounds and learn about our many secrets. Follow Hope’s clues and if you work out the special word an Easter treat awaits as your reward. 

Trotting into the Easter holidays on April 11 and 18 is everyone’s favourite mini pony Marley. Marley loves a cuddle and posing for an Easter selfie as well as giving short rides around the castle grounds in his special cart. 

Take part in craft making and create your own Easter decoration to take home with you, with sessions running in our Craft House on April 12 and 21. 

Learn about Bamburgh’s mighty past as the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg with Viking warrior Ragnar. Ragnar will bring to life Bamburgh’s incredible Viking past and talk about the real Uhtred the bold of Bebbanburg, the star of popular Netflix series and epic Last Kingdom Bernard Cornwell novels. 

And for the ultimate Easter experience, visit Ragnar at his stone throne and be crowned King or Queen of the North.

For a gentler Easter experience, book onto our popular Easter Wreath Making classes. Hosted by award-winning florist Sharon Wright, make a vibrant springtime wreath to celebrate Easter at classes running on Good Friday – April 15 and on April 19. Classes are suitable for adults and children aged eight and over. 

However the weather rolls this Easter, there are magnificent indoor state rooms to explore and over nine acres of grounds with the most instagrammable sea views to take in. 

Visit Bamburgh Castle as many times as you like over Easter and beyond with our new annual passes. With individual and joint passes available – both include free access for up to three children – enjoy unlimited Easter fun and more at England’s finest coastal castle. 

There’s a whole host of fun to lay siege to at Bamburgh Castle this February half-term.

England’s finest coastal castle has lots to do for all ages including roarsome story telling with Bamburgh’s resident dragon – Hope – and the chance for you to be crowned King or Queen of the North.

Famous for being the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg, visitors can step back in time to medieval times and meet Viking warrior Ragnar Lundgren.

Find out about the Uhtred the Bold who appears in Bernard Cornwell’s Last Kingdom books and Netflix series and don’t miss the chance to be crowned King or Queen of the North by Ragnar himself, upon Bamburgh Castle’s unique stone throne.

Hope the dragon will be meeting children inside the castle’s special story telling hut where little lords and ladies can listen to Hope’s spellbinding tales of dragons, castles, kings and queens.

Dragon-themed activity books featuring quizzes, activities and a trail to follow around the castle’s crenelations, cannons and battlements will also be available to purchase for children to have fun and learn more about the castle’s 3000 year-old history.

And for those looking for a relaxing way to brighten up a February day, award-winning florist Sharon Wright is running spring wreath-making workshops for visitors to craft their own sustainable, living wreath with early spring flowers, seasonal foliage, buds and blossom. Suitable for adults and children aged eight and over.

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Bamburgh Castle’s indoor areas have reopened to visitors once again after almost 200 days,

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease across the UK, the doors were opened for visitors to enjoy Bamburgh Castle’s 14 staterooms, The Armstrong & Aviation Museum and newly refurbished Clock Tower Tearoom for the first time since November.

Castle owner Francis Watson-Armstrong was there to open up the castle’s staterooms and welcome visitors back inside, as Northumbrian piper Joanne Kemp played a specially composed piece of music, called Bamburgh, to mark the occasion.

Francis said: “It is a very proud day for us all and wonderful to see the castle staterooms alive with visitors once again. The castle needs people to bring it to life – they make its heart beat.

“The past year – and beyond –  has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone. It is a huge relief to be able to reopen once again – and to see our fellow tourism and hospitality businesses open after what has been a painfully long time.

“The safety and wellbeing of our visitors and our team is our utmost priority We have invested heavily in fortifying Bamburgh Castle as a Covid-secure attraction and are delighted that we can welcome visitors back inside once more and have an exciting line up of events over the coming months.

“I would like to thank our team who have worked incredibly hard conserving the staterooms and their collections throughout our closure and who have done a magnificent job preparing them for visitors to enjoy once again.  We would like to thank everyone who has sent us well wishes and messages of support ahead of our reopening today and we look forward to welcoming you back again.”

Sunrise over Bamburgh Castle by Alan Leightley

Bamburgh has been named best seaside destination by Which? with Bamburgh Castle helping to win votes for our village and claim the top spot out of almost 100 towns across the UK.

Bamburgh Castle was highlighted by members who also gave top marks for Bamburgh’s beach, stunning scenery, peaceful surroundings and value for money, pipping friendly rivals in popular destinations including Cornwall, Devon and Wales.

More than 4,000 Which? members voted in the survey for where they would choose to have a staycation or day out, based on their recent UK visits to seaside towns and villages.

Francis Watson-Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle said: “This is absolutely fantastic news – not just for Bamburgh Castle but for the whole community here. There is something truly magical about Bamburgh which captures people’s hearts, as Which members have shown.

“During the lockdown we were absolutely staggered – and very grateful – to receive so many heartfelt messages of support from people across the world who just love Bamburgh. We had beautiful handwritten cards and letters, emails and astounding posts on social media. Bamburgh is a destination that means so much to so many people and it is on their bucket list to visit.

“It is a destination that really does have something for everyone – from its incredible beaches where you can walk for miles without hardly seeing a soul, to its array of attractions and things to do – whether that’s building sandcastles on the beach, to picnicking on the Green to exploring the village’s more hidden attractions like the Bamburgh Bones in St Aidan’s Church ossuary to visiting Bamburgh Castle itself. We have great restaurants, shops, hotels and inns and an array of places to stay from self catering properties to our friends the inns and holiday parks.

“The lockdown has had a devastating impact on tourism businesses and being named the UK’s best seaside destination means a great deal to us. It will play an important part in helping businesses get back on their feet again, showcasing Bamburgh as a year-round destination for a staycation or a day out.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Which? and their members who voted for Bamburgh as the UK’s best seaside destination. We can’t wait to welcome you back to visit us again.”

Read the full Which? survey here.

Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland has received a grant  from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help organisations recover and reopen as the fortress emerges from months of lockdowns and social distancing.

Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Bamburgh Castle, which was awarded  £137,400 in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund.

Known as the jewel in Northumberland’s crown, Bamburgh Castle is an irreplaceable cultural asset for the north east of England. Covering a vast nine-acres of the famous Whin Sill, in a dramatic but exposed site 150 feet above the Northumberland coast, the 1400-year-Grade I listed building requires ongoing specialist maintenance to safeguard the fabric of the castle and its contents against the elements.

Usually open all year round, the pandemic lead to Bamburgh Castle having to lock its doors for 70% of its usual trading year, resulting in a loss of around 125,000 visitors. While the castle grounds reopened to visitors on 29 March, its 14 staterooms and Armstrong & Aviation museum remain closed due to national lockdown restrictions.

As well as contributing to ongoing vital structural maintenance to the castle, the investment from the Culture Recovery Fund will help Bamburgh Castle transition from over 40-weeks of closure to reopening fully, safeguarding jobs, providing staff training and development and supporting a series of family friendly, outdoor events.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

This brings the Government’s total investment across grants, capital and repayable finance from the Culture Recovery Fund so far to more than £1.2 billion across over 5,000 individual cultural and heritage organisations and sites.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.

Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”4Francis Watson Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle, said:“It is absolutely fantastic to have been awarded this very signifant grant which will help buffer us, as we move towards reopening England’s finest coastal castle and seeing it return to life with visitors once more.

“Like so many of our fellow heritage and culture organisations, the pandemic has had a devastating impact, cauterising vital income from visitor admissions and events that is the castle’s lifeblood for over 70% of the year.”

“This funding is helping us give Bamburgh Castle a future as a living, breathing attraction to be enjoyed by future generations for centuries to come. This funding will help fortify not just the castle but our community as we move towards reopening out of lockdown. The castle plays a huge role in the community working with the inns, the shops, the attractions and other tourism businesses and together we make Bamburgh a brilliant cultural and heritage destination to visit all year round.”

Ros Kerslake, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Spring is definitely here, bringing not only sunshine but that sense of optimism and  hope for the future. We are all looking forward to heritage places and other visitor attractions reopening and I am very pleased that we have been able to support DCMS in delivering this vital funding to ensure the UK’s heritage sector can rebuild and thrive, boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting personal  wellbeing.”

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “The value of our heritage sites and the people who run them has been amply                  demonstrated, as they have provided an anchor for so many of us through the dark days of the last year. Vital grants from the Culture Recovery Fund have helped them survive and will now help them recover, as the places we all cherish start to reopen in the months ahead.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England as well as the British Film Institute and Arts Council England.

Bamburgh Castle will reopen later this month in line with the Government’s easing of England’s national lockdown restrictions.

From Monday 29 March the gates to 1400-year-old Bamburgh Castle will open to visitors once again, when the Government’s planned roadmap gives the green light for heritage sites to reopen their grounds for recreational purposes.

It is also the earliest date when the ‘Stay at Home’ message is set to be lifted, allowing people to meet outside in groups up to a maximum of six, or with one other household.

Francis Watson-Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle said: “We are excited to be working towards Bamburgh Castle opening for visitors once again after being closed for almost 150 days. We are, however, acutely mindful that the lockdown roadmap is subject to change and we will be following Government advice and regulations closely.

“While the castle has been closed for an unprecedented period of time, we’ve been busy behind the scenes carrying out essential maintenance to conserve the fabric of the castle and its collections and making ongoing preparations to welcome visitors and staff back securely.”

Mr Watson-Armstrong added: “Bamburgh Castle was one of the first attractions in the country to be awarded the industry standard ‘We’re Good To Go’ in recognition of our rigorous Covid-secure measures. We’ve bolstered that with the addition of a further quality assurance, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s global Safe Travels stamp.

“The safety of our visitors and staff remains our absolute priority. As before, we’ll be operating enhanced cleaning, social distancing and one-way routes, limiting visitor numbers and installing additional WC facilities and hand sanitiser stations throughout the site. The rule of six or visiting with one other household regulations will also apply.”

Once the Anglo-Saxon capital of Northumberland, Bamburgh Castle is famed for being the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg in Bernard Cornwell’s epic television series and historical novel set. Visitors exploring the castle’s grounds will be able to discover why England’s finest coastal fortress has been the ultimate defensive stronghold for thousands of years with guides and outdoor re-enactors narrating its past.

Mr Watson-Armstrong said: “While the castle’s indoor areas remain temporarily closed, until 17 May, reopening our grounds will give visitors the chance to explore one of the region’s most spectacular open-air locations and experience one of the most unique coastal viewpoints Britain has to offer.

“It will be a tremendous opportunity for people in the region to visit a landmark they’re so familiar with from the outside, but perhaps have never managed to step within its gates and see the views from inside our walls.”

Regular four-legged castle visitor Marley the mini pony will be one of the first to trot into the castle ready to welcome visitors when it re-opens at 10.00am.

Due to current Government restrictions, the castle’s staterooms and Armstrong and Aviation Museum will remain closed until May 17 at the earliest. A takeaway food and drink outlet will temporarily replace the castle’s indoor Clock Tower Tearooms.

While tickets will be available to purchase at the gate, visitor numbers will be restricted to allow for safe social distancing. Pre booked advance tickets are recommended priced at £6.00 for adults / £3.00 children / £16 family (two adults and up to three dependants aged up to 16) can be booked here.

Bamburgh Castle is home to a diverse collection of ceramics, collected over the years by those living at England’s finest coastal castle. Castle curator Lisa Waters tells us about some of the more unusual pieces in the castle’s treasure trove of ceramics.

Saint-Cloud

Carrying his own cutlery with him, Sir John Fenwick of Wallington Hall travelled widely in the 17^th century.  He was MP for Northumberland several times and an army officer.  With military encounters on the continent, he may have brought his cutlery back with him.  Forks, or flatware, were fairly new in England at this stage.  The two tines became four in the 18^th century and hosts then provided matching sets for guests, when plates began to be used more often than bowls.

This set gives an intimate view of the dynamic life of John Fenwick.  Made by the first major pottery in France, the Saint-Cloud forms and designs often copied earlier metalwork pieces and included paintwork of stylised drapery called ‘lambrequin’.

With previous connections to Bamburgh Castle, the Fenwick family had been Constables of the castle and married into the Forster family when the Forsters became the first private owners of the castle.  Sir John Fenwick bred horses.  He became involved in Jacobite plotting in favour of James II and was mistakenly arrested over a plot to assassinate William III.  Found guilty, Sir John Fenwick was executed for High Treason in January 1697.  Five years later William was riding Fenwick’s horse, Sorrel, when it stumbled and King William died from his injuries.

Sevres

The Sevres dessert service, ‘Service des vues diverses’, was made between 1830-1840.  This elaborate style originated with Louis XVI, Napoleon then using the Sevres factory and porcelain to convey political campaigns.  The Bamburgh set lacks an overt message but is important as an early set depicting scenes from contemporary life when interest in landscape painting was increasing in more tranquil times. Pictured is Le Belvedere a Morfontaine, others include Jardin Anglaise d’Ermenonville, Une partie de Besancon.  Sometimes the factory bought in oil paintings for expert ceramic painters to refer to for different views, coherence given through the border work. Guests could read the view in front of them before being served dessert.  This set may have been presented to Queen Victoria as a diplomatic gift.  It was bought by the 2^nd Lord Armstrong from the 1904 Duke of Cambridge sale at Gloucester House.

Derby

This elaborate, large set was used by the Armstrong family and friends but with a good balance of care means it has survived well.  In 2014 a descendant of Leonard Lead visited the castle and identified him as the painter of this dinner service from the early 19^th century.  Many ceramic artists remain anonymous so this was an exciting moment.  Leonard Lead worked prolifically at the factory for nearly 50 years, executing paintwork quickly and to order.  Bright pinks and yellows balance with purples and the finely gilded edge.

Minton

The Lord Crewe Trustees administered the running of the castle charity during the 19^th century. They were also involved in local work including at Seahouses harbour with the growing herring fisheries and exports of corn and lime.   The Minton earthenware was commissioned for their use while here and includes the printed Keep design.   A large set, hard wearing and utilitarian, it would be used during their regular stays and to entertain tenants and local people.

Clement Massier

For fun, our favourite tortoise illustrates the Armstrong family collection as being hugely diverse, with pieces of interesting, creative, high quality manufacture.  Massier pieces were unusual to find in this country at the time, showing that Lord and Lady Armstrong were keen to search out eclectic ware.

Bamburgh Castle owner Francis Watson-Armstrong  become the first member of the Armstrong family to marry in the castle for over 125 years.

In an enchanting candlelit service, Francis Watson-Armstrong married his fiancé Claire Thorburn in a socially distanced ceremony within the castle’s King’s Hall.

In line with national Covid restrictions the wedding was attended by 15 people including the couple’s family and friends, with three generations of the Armstrong family at the ceremony.

Around 500 guests around the world watched the ceremony via new state-of-the-art live streaming technology the castle has invested in from E-There which allows guests to attend a physical wedding virtually. 

Bamburgh Castle wedding coordinator Karen Larkin said: “Every single wedding is very special to us and it is a privilege to be such a huge part of a couple’s special day. 

“This is the first Armstrong wedding to take place at Bamburgh Castle since it was bought by Victorian innovator and engineer William George Armstrong in 1894 so it is a day that will go down in history for us here.

“It was a truly momentous and wonderful day for all involved and on behalf of the team at Bamburgh Castle we wish Francis and Claire lots of love and laughs together but most of all endless happiness.” 

Northumbrian Piper Joanne Kemp piped guests into the castle with a piece she had composed especially for the occasion called ‘Bamburgh’. 

Claire paid a surprise, social distanced visit to wave to residents at older people’s housing and care charity The Abbeyfield Society at Armstrong House in Bamburgh, who are shielding during the lockdown, before being walked down the aisle by her father. 

The Castle’s King’s Hall was adorned with candles and floral displays by Northumbrian Flowers while pianist Mark Deeks played the grand piano in the castle’s Cross Hall where the couple signed the register. 

Castle owner Francis Watson-Armstrong said: “It was a tremendous privilege to be marrying my beautiful bride Claire in our wonderful family home with our family and friends by our sides.

“Bamburgh Castle is a truly magical, awe-inspiring place. The restrictions made our wedding even more special and intimate. It was a truly unforgettable time.

“My wife and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to congratulate us. It is wonderful to hear that our wedding has been a ray of light bringing joy and good cheer to so many in these dark times.”

For more information about getting married at Bamburgh Castle visit our weddings page or email weddings@bamburghcastle.com

PICTURE CREDIT: OWEN HUMPHREYS / PA