For centuries Bamburgh Castle  was the first and last line of defence.

But in World War Two it was Bamburgh Beach that found itself on the frontline during Britain’s ‘darkest hour.’

Now the pivotal role this three-mile stretch of pristine sand played in protecting our shores from invasion, is to be brought dramatically to life on a unique World War Two walk on February 9, hosted by North East-based historical re-enactors, The Time Bandits.

The living history group is inviting the public to follow in the footsteps of the soldiers whose job it was to defend this remote stretch of beach that more than 80 years on from the start of the global conflict, is still littered with the physical reminders of its wartime past.

Dressed in period 1940s costume, the Time Bandits will share stories on the wartime events that took place along this stretch of coastline, introduce the weapons and kit used by the Home Guard, and even instigate a brush with a German spy.

The two three-mile walks for which tickets cost £20 per person are part of Bamburgh Castle’s winter events programme. It is hoped they will show there is more to the iconic landmark than just its Anglo Saxon and medieval past.

Karen Larkin, Bamburgh Castle’s Events and Marketing Manager, says: “There is a huge amount of information out there about the castle and its ancient history. But these two walks are an opportunity for people to get a better understanding of the history outside rather than inside the castle’s walls.

“Visitors often ask what the concrete blocks and other manmade remains are on the beach below. In fact, they are reminders of the coastal defences built in the wake of the Dunkirk evacuation to help protect Britain against a Nazi invasion.

“There was a very real threat that Germany would invade, and Bamburgh Beach with its long, wide stretch of flat sand running all the way from Seahouses, was seen as an ideal location for an enemy landing.

“During the war, the shoreline was covered with barbed wire, mines, and the massive concrete anti-tank blocks that are still visible today. They would have run the length of the beach in a double row, but over the decades they have been moved around by the sea.

“There is even the remains of a World War Two pillbox that had been hidden beneath a dune until uncovered in a storm. It is a very evocative reminder of an important part of not just Britain’s history, but Bamburgh’s.

“With this year marking both the 80^th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation and Winston Churchill’s famous ‘We shall fight them on the beaches’ speech, it seemed the right time to host these two walks and to show the public what this now peaceful beach would have been like when it was on Britain’s domestic frontline.”

Both walks will be led by Time Bandits’ founder, John Sadler. He says: “The Northumbrian beaches are studded with tank traps, concrete and steel gun emplacements, pillboxes and some superbly restored batteries.

“In quiet Northumbrian lanes and in most unexpected places one comes across further emplacements, seemingly in the most random pattern. These are, in fact, traces of the various ‘stop’ lines set up as a defence in depth against invasion.

“There was a genuine threat, and Bamburgh Beach was seen as a weak spot in Britain’s coastal defences.

“We hope people will be excited to see this dark period in our history brought to life. The wartime remains on Bamburgh Beach show that even when our backs were against the wall, we were not prepared to give in.”

Pillboxes were partly buried concrete guard posts with narrow slits through which weapons could be aimed and fired. They were so named because they were shaped like the small metal containers people carried pills in. A number were built along the Northumberland coast during World War Two, but only a handful have survived.

The one on Bamburgh Beach would most likely have been manned by the Home Guard, who John says, “would have been charged with resisting the initial onslaught on the beaches and then holding a series of fall back positions. Most would have died or been captured.

“Our modern-day view of the Home Guard has been shaped by the BBC sitcom Dad’s Army and its ill-assorted heroes manning the barricades. But if their mettle had been tested the results would have been swift, brutal and anything but comic.”

The walk will start at 11am from Bamburgh Castle car park and last approximately two hours each. Participants will need to be able to walk up to three miles unaided. The walks will end back at Bamburgh Castle, where a hot drink will be provided.

Tickets cost £20 per person and include admission to the castle. To book call 01668 214208.

Bamburgh Castle Estate have contribute to a stunning new War Memorial for Bamburgh Village, which was officially rededicated on Remembrance Sunday.

The striking sculpture, set in a recess hewn from the castle’s base, was carved from a single slab of Green Hornton stone by Andrian Melka and Classic Masonry of North Shields. It is a perfect replica of the original figure of Christ on the cross sculpture that was erected in 1921 by the second Lord Armstrong in recognition of those who gave their lives for their country, including men from Bamburgh village who were killed in action.

The War Memorial Trust contributed to 75% of the cost of replacing the memorial which had eroded over the years, despite restoration efforts to salvage the original stonework. Bamburgh Castle Estate and Bamburgh Parish Council donated along with donations and support from various organisations including  the Bamburgh Heritage Trust.

Francis Watson Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle laid a wreath at the memorial on Remembrance Service. He said: “The Bamburgh Village War Memorial is a stunning and very moving tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Bamburgh Castle Estate was proud to contribute to this memorial and to ensuring the memory of those who lost their lives in conflict will never forgotten.”

A cauldron full of scary delights is being conjured up at Bamburgh Castle this Hallowe’en.

Young and old will be left spellbound by the tricks and treats awaiting them within our centuries old walls. From creepy crafts to a ghoulish trail, hauntings, slimy All Hallows Eve activities, and a spooky take on ten pin bowling that will have you literally ‘squashing’ the opposition, there’s plenty of bewitchingly brilliant fun to be had over the half-term holiday between October 26-November 3.

Visitors and their pooches to the dog friendly attraction are also being invited to share in the magic of the season by donning a scary Hallowe’en costume, with the most ghoulish two and four-legged outfits in with the chance of winning a prize.

Even better, most of the activities are included in the standard castle admission.

Castle owner William Watson Armstrong says: “With its thick stone walls, secret tunnels, creepy crypts, eerie dungeons, and shadowy corridors, Bamburgh is the perfect backdrop for some genuinely haunting Hallowe’en thrills and spills.

“With a history stretching back more than 1400 years to the ancient kings of Northumbria, Bamburgh Castle is not only wound up in our nation’s folklore and myth, but has been witness to countless battles and bloodshed.

“So it will come as no surprise to learn that Bamburgh is home to its fair share of ghostly goings-on, from visitors who claim to have been touched by unseen hands, to stories of music playing in empty rooms, and the sound of feet running along gloomy corridors in the dead of night.”

New this year is Pumpkin Bowling taking place on the grassy expanse of the East Ward. Using real pumpkins, players will have a rolling good time as they chance their arm trying to knock down the googly-eyed bowling pins with a ‘ball’ that refuses to run straight.

Flying in on her broomstick will be Bamburgh Castle’s very own Madame Pumpkinspook, who will be press ganging visitors into helping her mix up a heady brew of slimetastic lotions and potions, including her infamous Dragon’s Breath Gloop complete with floating eyeballs!

You can also take your chance on Madame Pumpkinspook’s Unlucky Dip. Plunge your hand into the Hallowe’en slime to find an object and receive a sweet-tasting prize.

With regular slime making and a pumpkin volcano fizzing into action too, you’d be mad not to join in one of Madame Pumpkinspook’s smoke and dagger classes.

Tabitha, the ghost of a lively Victorian serving maid, will be making her presence felt between October 26-28. Her ghostly schedule will include general hauntings, lots of waltzing, and even the occasional bit of feather dusting. If you’re really unfortunate, Tabitha might even serenade you.

The Pumpkin Trail runs throughout October. Find all the letters on the trail to spell a magic word and claim a prize. This is part of the children’s activity pack which can be bought with the admission ticket on arrival at the castle.

Also joining in the fun will be Marley the Pony. A popular regular during holiday times, Marley will be dressing up for the occasion with themed cart rides on the area outside the State Rooms. A small charge will apply.

And, of course, there is the chance to show-off you and your dog’s darker side in a gruesome Hallowe’en-inspired costume that’s sure to send shivers down the spine of even Bamburgh Castle’s resident ghosties and ghoulies.

We are excited to be launching our brand new website and with it a whole new look and identity that befits such a national treasure as Bamburgh Castle.

Creating a wow-factor website and new identity that would inspire and enthralled people was no mean task, with lots of planning, brain storming and creative wizardry pokery along with lots of tea, cakes and even Bamburgh Castle inspired pancakes!

Bamburgh Castle owner William Armstrong said: “It’s been an adventure and a real labour of love for everyone involved. Our whole family as well as the Bamburgh HQ Team were involved along the journey with our design partner Blumilk who we chose to carry out our rebrand and new website.

“My ancestor William George Armstrong bought Bamburgh 125 years ago. Today, we are excited to be taking Bamburgh forward as a new chapter begins and continuing the legacy he created.

As a privately owned and run attraction, we rely on visitors to the castle to help keep the castle standing and to preserve and enhance it so it can be enjoyed by many more generations to come and we continue to employ and inter trade with local people and businesses.

“Our new website is helping us to share our castle and its incredible past in an exciting new way and will, we hope, inspire you to visit and enjoy the absolutely unique experience stepping inside Bamburgh Castle brings.”

Lauren Hindhaugh is client director at Blumilk. She said: “We’ve just celebrated our 20th Birthday at Blumilk and what better way to celebrate than to say we have been working with one of the North East’s most loved and recognisable icons, Bamburgh Castle, to help them on their exciting journey.

“It has been an absolute pleasure right from the very start working with the senior team at the castle, winning the professional yet friendly tendering process for Blumilk to be able to create the new brand identity and website. The senior management team, visitor experience staff, catering staff and everyone in between have made us feel part of the family right from the outset and we have formed a brilliant working relationship, always knowing that a meeting with Bamburgh means leaving with a smile on our face.

“The professionalism, commercial awareness and marketing expertise that the team at Bamburgh have is second to none, making our job of creating a brand and website for us all to be proud of all the more easy and enjoyable! The Armstrong family really have created something special and we know that we have may years ahead of us as a partnership to be reckoned with, creating amazing things together.”