Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunstanburgh castle is one of the most romantic and dramatic castles that I have ever visited. It is a beautiful ruin, high up on a crag above the crashing waves of the North Sea, with the remains of the tower rising up into the sky, defying gravity as it perches on a thin remnant of remaining wall. It can only be reached on foot, and this makes the setting and atmosphere even more authentic, as there is no sign of modern life at all once you get there. No huge car park to spoil the view, no tarmac roads- in fact, if you look in the right direction and squint, you could have been transported back 100 years. ~~Getting there~~ The views along the 1 ...  Read the complete review

I am fortunate in that living in the North East of England, Northumberland is right on my doorstep. Despite visiting the castles and heritage sites of Northumberland regularly over the years, I had never visited Dunstanburgh Castle until last week. I had seen the castle on TV, photographs and paintings, but actually visiting the castle was most impressive, not only because it is such a dramatic ruin, but also because of its very remote setting on the coast. I read that Turner painted the castle many times, often getting up at the crack of dawn to do so! The castle occupies a prominent headland inbetween Embleton and Craster. From Craster there is a ...  Read the complete review