Thirlwall Castle

Heritage Site in Northumberland

England

Thirlwall Castle

Longbyre, near Greenhead
Longbyre, near Greenhead Credit: Chris Morgan

Thirlwall Castle is a historic fortress located in Northumberland, England. Situated near the village of Greenhead, the castle stands on the site of an ancient Roman fort known as Castra Exploratorum, which was built in the 2nd century AD. The castle itself was constructed in the 12th century and played a significant role in the region's medieval history.

Thirlwall Castle is a stone structure with a rectangular layout, surrounded by a moat. It features thick walls and defensive towers, showcasing typical architectural elements of a medieval fortress. Over the centuries, the castle has undergone several modifications and expansions, reflecting the changing needs of its inhabitants.

During the medieval period, Thirlwall Castle was a prominent stronghold in the region, serving as a residence for the Thirlwall family. However, the castle suffered significant damage during the English Civil War in the 17th century, and it was subsequently abandoned and left in ruins.

Today, Thirlwall Castle is a designated heritage site, attracting visitors who are interested in exploring its historical significance. The ruins of the castle provide a glimpse into its former grandeur and offer captivating views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can wander through the remains of the fortress, observing the sturdy walls and imagining the castle's past as a strategic stronghold.

Thirlwall Castle is a testament to Northumberland's rich history and serves as a reminder of the region's medieval heritage. Its picturesque location and architectural features make it an intriguing destination for history enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Thirlwall Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.992/-2.538 or Grid Reference NY6566. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Longbyre, near Greenhead
Longbyre, near Greenhead
Sheep at Longbyre
Sheep at Longbyre
Hadrian's Wall on Walltown Crags Hadrian's wall or 'Vallum Aelium' is the remains of a large Roman fortification. The wall extended west from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth, ending a short but unknown distance west of the village of Bowness-on-Solway. Construction probably started sometime in AD 122 and was largely completed within six years.

The remains were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Hadrian's Wall on Walltown Crags
Hadrian's wall or 'Vallum Aelium' is the remains of a large Roman fortification. The wall extended west from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth, ending a short but unknown distance west of the village of Bowness-on-Solway. Construction probably started sometime in AD 122 and was largely completed within six years. The remains were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Hadrian's Wall ditch Ditch in front of the wall which is no longer visible along this length.
Hadrian's Wall ditch
Ditch in front of the wall which is no longer visible along this length.
Hadrian's Wall ditch at Green Croft The field wall on the left is on the site of Hadrian's Wall.
Hadrian's Wall ditch at Green Croft
The field wall on the left is on the site of Hadrian's Wall.
Train crossing the Hadrian's Wall National Trail
Train crossing the Hadrian's Wall National Trail
Thirlwall Castle Almost entirely built from stone robbed from nearby Hadrian's Wall.
Thirlwall Castle
Almost entirely built from stone robbed from nearby Hadrian's Wall.
Ford and footbridge at Holmhead
Ford and footbridge at Holmhead
Walltown Quarry Disused quarry now partly filled with water. A length of Hadrian's Wall was destroyed by this quarry.
Walltown Quarry
Disused quarry now partly filled with water. A length of Hadrian's Wall was destroyed by this quarry.
Hadrian's Wall ditch east of Holmhead The outer defensive ditch survives very well along this length. The wall itself is no longer visible but would have originally stood where the field wall now stands.
Hadrian's Wall ditch east of Holmhead
The outer defensive ditch survives very well along this length. The wall itself is no longer visible but would have originally stood where the field wall now stands.
Art installation at Walltown Country Park
Art installation at Walltown Country Park
Walltown Crags Turret 45a Hadrian's wall or 'Vallum Aelium' is the remains of a large Roman fortification. The wall extended west from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth, ending a short but unknown distance west of the village of Bowness-on-Solway. Construction probably started sometime in AD 122 and was largely completed within six years.

The remains were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Walltown Crags Turret 45a
Hadrian's wall or 'Vallum Aelium' is the remains of a large Roman fortification. The wall extended west from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth, ending a short but unknown distance west of the village of Bowness-on-Solway. Construction probably started sometime in AD 122 and was largely completed within six years. The remains were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Hadrian's Wall at Walltown Crags Hadrian's wall or 'Vallum Aelium' is the remains of a large Roman fortification. The wall extended west from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth, ending a short but unknown distance west of the village of Bowness-on-Solway. Construction probably started sometime in AD 122 and was largely completed within six years.

The remains were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Hadrian's Wall at Walltown Crags
Hadrian's wall or 'Vallum Aelium' is the remains of a large Roman fortification. The wall extended west from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth, ending a short but unknown distance west of the village of Bowness-on-Solway. Construction probably started sometime in AD 122 and was largely completed within six years. The remains were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Thirlwall Castle This medieval Grade I listed fortified tower is beside the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way National Trails.  It is constructed mainly from re-used stones from Hadrian’s Wall nearby and was the family seat of the Thirlwall family.
Thirlwall Castle
This medieval Grade I listed fortified tower is beside the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way National Trails. It is constructed mainly from re-used stones from Hadrian’s Wall nearby and was the family seat of the Thirlwall family.
Hadrian's Wall near Turret 45A
Hadrian's Wall near Turret 45A
Old Quarry between Turret 45A and Walltown Crags The Hadrian's Wall Path passes along the edge of the disused quarry.
Old Quarry between Turret 45A and Walltown Crags
The Hadrian's Wall Path passes along the edge of the disused quarry.
Old Quarry between Turret 45A and Walltown Crags
Old Quarry between Turret 45A and Walltown Crags
The Pennine Way near the A69
The Pennine Way near the A69
Show me another place!

Thirlwall Castle is located at Grid Ref: NY6566 (Lat: 54.992, Lng: -2.538)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///automate.requires.distilled. Near Greenhead, Northumberland

Nearby Locations

Thirlwall Castle Longbyre

Related Wikis

Thirlwall Castle

Thirlwall Castle is a 12th-century castle in Northumberland, England, on the bank of the River Tipalt close to the village of Greenhead and approximately...

Milecastle 47

Milecastle 47 (Chapel House) was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall (grid reference NY64906607). == Description == Milecastle 47 is about 270 metres east of...

Milecastle 46

Milecastle 46 (Carvoran) was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall (grid reference NY66466601). == Description == Milecastle 46 is just west of the Vallum deviation...

Greenhead railway station

Greenhead was a former railway station, which served the village of Greenhead, Northumberland in Northumberland between 1836 and 1967. == History == The...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.992,-2.538
Grit Bin
Lat/Long: 54.9886654/-2.5399417
Bench
Lat/Long: 54.9891038/-2.5403052
Bench
Lat/Long: 54.9890119/-2.5405271
Bus Stop
Bench: no
Covered: no
Naptan AtcoCode: 3100Y655662
Naptan NaptanCode: nldawjma
Shelter: no
Lat/Long: 54.9897308/-2.5405427
Waste Basket
Lat/Long: 54.9896707/-2.5403516
Post Box
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 16:30; Sa 09:00
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: CA8 50
Lat/Long: 54.9899312/-2.5415956
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9915151/-2.5400411
Line Management: branch
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9908436/-2.5394109
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9905865/-2.537662
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9909835/-2.5362726
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9916421/-2.533923
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9919037/-2.5329091
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9922237/-2.5317343
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9922636/-2.5419431
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9925307/-2.5306212
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9928015/-2.5313266
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9929708/-2.5327294
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9931293/-2.5340276
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9932477/-2.5350066
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9933601/-2.5359454
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.993417/-2.5363879
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9935555/-2.5375896
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9937047/-2.5387805
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9938694/-2.5401243
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9939986/-2.5412883
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.994131/-2.5424122
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9942664/-2.5435199
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9943925/-2.5446277
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9919391/-2.5435709
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9918806/-2.5450435
Crossing Barrier: half
Railway: level_crossing
Lat/Long: 54.9901802/-2.539614
Crossing Barrier: half
Railway: level_crossing
Lat/Long: 54.9901554/-2.5396594
Communication Mobile Phone: yes
Man Made: mast
Lat/Long: 54.9926942/-2.5436736
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 54.989741/-2.5347413
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 54.9956432/-2.5341714
Railway: crossing
Lat/Long: 54.9929932/-2.5449422
Railway: crossing
Lat/Long: 54.9929616/-2.5449729
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9919968/-2.5425512
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9919208/-2.5410745
Power: pole
Switch: mechanical
Lat/Long: 54.9908615/-2.5393286
Line Management: branch
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9907517/-2.5393222
Material: wood
Power: pole
Switch: mechanical
Lat/Long: 54.9902828/-2.5388771
Line Management: termination
Power: pole
Transformer: distribution
Lat/Long: 54.9907433/-2.5393799
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9890373/-2.5374453
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9883228/-2.5365078
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.9897236/-2.538336
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: at bottom of Low Castle Terrace, Longbyre
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 54.9898541/-2.5410325
Phone
Emergency: phone
Lat/Long: 54.9897546/-2.5402618
Shelter
Shelter Type: public_transport
Lat/Long: 54.989333/-2.5403816
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Thirlwall Castle?

Leave your review of Thirlwall Castle below (or comments, questions and feedback).