Top 7 Castles around Ponteland

History: Mitford Castle dates back to the late 12th century, initially documented in 1138. It served various strategic roles, including being seized by King John in 1215 and later occupied by the Scots. By 1323, it was abandoned due to extensive damage. The site includes a motte and bailey, with the motte later converted into a shell keep—a rare type of Norman fortification with only about 60 known examples in Britain. Exterior: Situated on a hillock above the River Wansbeck, the castle's remains include a substantial earthen motte and a surrounding ditch. An oval bailey, defended by a series of outworks and ditches, occupies the summit of the hill. The southern half of the bailey features remnants of a curtain wall, enclosing an outer ward, while the northern half retains an earthen bank. Interior: Within the shell keep are the remains of a central tower from the early 13th century, divided into two barrel-vaulted chambers likely used for water storage. Foundations of earlier structures are also present. Adjacent to the shell keep are the ruins of a 12th-century chapel and associated graveyard, adding to the site's historical significance. The well-preserved earthworks and stone structures provide valuable insights into medieval defensive architecture.

History of the Church: The parish church dates back to the late 12th century and was remodeled in the 13th century, likely after the village was burned by King John in 1216. The 14th century saw the addition of transepts. Major restoration and the addition of a south aisle, west tower, clerestory, and porch were carried out by R.J. Johnson of Newcastle in 1874-5. Exterior: The church features a mix of medieval squared stone and 19th-century ashlar with red tile roofs. Key elements include a west tower with an octagonal southwest stair turret, a south aisle with stepped angle buttresses and lancet windows, and a projecting southwest porch. The north nave wall has 13th-century masonry and a blocked door. The chancel’s south wall includes a 12th-century priest’s door and lancet windows, while the transepts have trefoiled ogee lights. Interior: Inside, the 12th-century south arcade features round moulded arches on round piers with scalloped capitals. The north transept and south transept have foliage-carved capitals and a small piscina, respectively. The chancel arch and tower arch are 19th-century, and the chancel includes triple sedilia and eastern lancets with 12th-century outer shafts. Fittings include a 1622 Revely monument, a Romanesque wall monument, a medieval bell, and various 19th-century items like the font, pulpit, and reredos with figures of Saints Aidan and Cuthbert.

Prudhoe Castle is a ruined medieval English castle situated on the south bank of the River Tyne at Prudhoe, Northumberland, England. Bult as part of a series of Norman Castles along the Tyne after the 1066 Norman conquest, Prudhoe was continuously occupied for over nine centuries.

Hollinside Manor is a 13th century manor house situated east of the Nine Arches Viaduct, on the edge of a steep brow with commanding views of Derwenthaugh Country Park and the surrounding countryside. It was the home of the Harding family for two centuries during which time the manor became known as the ‘Giant’s Castle’ since the men folk were very tall. The estate passed on to George Bowes of Gibside in 1730 for the sum of £10,000;

Short walk, brilliant for family's

Vicar's Pele is a three storey stone pele tower, which was built in the 14th or 15th century. It possibly stands on the site of a 13th century hall house and its south wing may have been rebuilt as the tower. Later it was part of a vicarage, which was demolished in the late 19th century, leaving a small dwelling house still attached. The house was removed in 1950 and the tower consolidated with concrete in 1971, excavations in 2001 uncovered a stone flagged floor inside the tower. There are blocked doors on the west and north sides and three large openings on the south face. This gaunt shell shows signs of a gabled roof on the west wall and the evidence of numerous later alterations and repairs. Nearby in Ponteland is the Blackbird Inn and 7 miles north-west is Belsay Castle. http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_north/88/pontelandpele.htm

Bult as part of a series of Norman Castles along the Tyne after the 1066 Norman conquest, Prudhoe survived two sieges during the 1170s and was the only Northumberland castle to resist the Scots.

Artwork of Prudhoe Castle which is just behind this