Mitford Castle

Heritage Site in Northumberland

England

Mitford Castle

Giant 'comb' in action Collecting logs and debris in the aftermath of Storm Arwen this structure on the Wansbeck, designed to protect Morpeth bridges etc., appears to be doing its job effectively.
Giant 'comb' in action Credit: Leanmeanmo

Mitford Castle is a historic site located in the village of Mitford, Northumberland, England. It is an impressive medieval fortress that stands on a natural mound overlooking the River Wansbeck. The castle was built in the late 11th century by the Bertram family and played a significant role in the turbulent history of the region.

The castle consists of a rectangular bailey, surrounded by a curtain wall with a gatehouse on the south side. The gatehouse features a large arched entrance and defensive towers on either side. Inside the bailey, there are the remains of various domestic buildings, including a great hall, kitchens, and living quarters. The castle was originally constructed using locally quarried stone, giving it a robust appearance.

Throughout its history, Mitford Castle witnessed several conflicts and sieges. It changed hands multiple times between rival factions during the Wars of the Roses and was even besieged by King John in the early 13th century. The castle remained inhabited until the 17th century when it fell into ruin.

Today, Mitford Castle is a popular heritage site and attracts visitors who are interested in medieval history and architecture. Although largely in ruins, the castle still retains its imposing presence and offers visitors a glimpse into the past. The site is managed by English Heritage and provides information boards for visitors to learn about the castle's history and significance. The castle's location also offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, making it a picturesque destination for history enthusiasts and tourists alike.

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Mitford Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.163/-1.725 or Grid Reference NZ1785. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Giant 'comb' in action Collecting logs and debris in the aftermath of Storm Arwen this structure on the Wansbeck, designed to protect Morpeth bridges etc., appears to be doing its job effectively.
Giant 'comb' in action
Collecting logs and debris in the aftermath of Storm Arwen this structure on the Wansbeck, designed to protect Morpeth bridges etc., appears to be doing its job effectively.
Gate House to Mitford Hall
Gate House to Mitford Hall
Mitford Cricket Ground
Mitford Cricket Ground
Newton Crook
Newton Crook
Derelict Farm Buildings near Newton Mill
Derelict Farm Buildings near Newton Mill
Ford through the River Font
Ford through the River Font
Newton Crook
Newton Crook
Mitford Castle The Norman motte and bailey castle stands on a small prominence, a somewhat elliptical mound, above the River Wansbeck. The selected building site allowed for the natural hill to be scarped and ditched, producing the motte. Wikipedia.
Mitford Castle
The Norman motte and bailey castle stands on a small prominence, a somewhat elliptical mound, above the River Wansbeck. The selected building site allowed for the natural hill to be scarped and ditched, producing the motte. Wikipedia.
Lych Gate of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Mitford  The parish church of Mitford, although locally prominent in the landscape through its lofty spire, lies low on the south bank of the Wansbeck, and is overlooked on the south east by the prominent knoll that carries the ruins of Mitford
Castle.
Lych Gate of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Mitford
The parish church of Mitford, although locally prominent in the landscape through its lofty spire, lies low on the south bank of the Wansbeck, and is overlooked on the south east by the prominent knoll that carries the ruins of Mitford Castle.
Direction Sign – Signpost on St Leonards Lane, Mitford Located on the northeast side of the junction of the B6343 and St Leonards Lane in Mitford parish. 1 arm and fan finial. See also <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6527519" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6527519">Link</a> and <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1767673" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1767673">Link</a>.

Milestone Society National ID: NB_NZ1785
Direction Sign – Signpost on St Leonards Lane, Mitford
Located on the northeast side of the junction of the B6343 and St Leonards Lane in Mitford parish. 1 arm and fan finial. See also Link and Link. Milestone Society National ID: NB_NZ1785
River Wansbeck at Highford Bridge
River Wansbeck at Highford Bridge
Sundial on Saint Mary Magdalene Church A relatively recent sundial installed in 1991, the inscription reads
MCMXCI
S & L SIMPSON
FACTA NON VERBA
Sundial on Saint Mary Magdalene Church
A relatively recent sundial installed in 1991, the inscription reads MCMXCI S & L SIMPSON FACTA NON VERBA
Curly Kews road, Morpeth This strangely named road runs west from Oldgate Bridge on the west side of the town centre. The road itself seems to be postwar from map evidence, which must be when this area of the town was developed. The terrace on the right however dates from earlier, the beginning of the 20th century.
Curly Kews road, Morpeth
This strangely named road runs west from Oldgate Bridge on the west side of the town centre. The road itself seems to be postwar from map evidence, which must be when this area of the town was developed. The terrace on the right however dates from earlier, the beginning of the 20th century.
West end of Oldgate Bridge, Morpeth The road comes over the bridge onto Curly Kews road. The road running along the river in the centre is High Stanners.
West end of Oldgate Bridge, Morpeth
The road comes over the bridge onto Curly Kews road. The road running along the river in the centre is High Stanners.
Old Milepost by the A192, Morpeth Cast iron post by the A192, in parish of Morpeth (Castle Morpeth District), Morpeth, opposite lay-by, on wide grass verge, on East side of road. MA bevel iron casting, erected by the Cow-causey & Buckton-Burn turnpike trust in the 19th century. 

Inscription reads:-
: M / 1 : : A / 18 :
(To Morpeth and Alnwick) 

Northumberland Historic Environment Record ref number:N16762 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://web.archive.org/web/20211002052027/http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N16762" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20211002052027/http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N16762">Archive Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Milestone Society National ID: NB_MPAN01
Old Milepost by the A192, Morpeth
Cast iron post by the A192, in parish of Morpeth (Castle Morpeth District), Morpeth, opposite lay-by, on wide grass verge, on East side of road. MA bevel iron casting, erected by the Cow-causey & Buckton-Burn turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- : M / 1 : : A / 18 : (To Morpeth and Alnwick) Northumberland Historic Environment Record ref number:N16762 Archive LinkExternal link Milestone Society National ID: NB_MPAN01
Ordnance Survey Flush Bracket (G2738) This OS Flush Bracket can be found on the SE face of St Mary Magdalene's Church. It marks a point 43.865m above mean sea level.
Ordnance Survey Flush Bracket (G2738)
This OS Flush Bracket can be found on the SE face of St Mary Magdalene's Church. It marks a point 43.865m above mean sea level.
Ordnance Survey Cut Mark This OS cut mark can be found on the south face of St Mary Magdalene's Church.
Ordnance Survey Cut Mark
This OS cut mark can be found on the south face of St Mary Magdalene's Church.
Ordnance Survey Cut Mark This OS cut mark can be found on the NW parapet of the Mitford Bridge. It marks a point 41.703m above mean sea level.
Ordnance Survey Cut Mark
This OS cut mark can be found on the NW parapet of the Mitford Bridge. It marks a point 41.703m above mean sea level.
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Mitford Castle is located at Grid Ref: NZ1785 (Lat: 55.163, Lng: -1.725)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///slimming.person.cascaded. Near Morpeth, Northumberland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.163,-1.725
Waterway: weir
Lat/Long: 55.1657665/-1.7268925
Adders Haugh
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 55.1659078/-1.7308197
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 55.1654597/-1.720299
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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