Pictures of Bamburgh

About Bamburgh

Bamburgh, is known as the ancient capital of the Northumbrian coast and it is home to probably the finest Castle in England.

The countryside around these parts is hauntingly beautiful, and Bamburgh Castle sits majestically on a basalt outcrop and looks across the dunes and the sea to the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne. These Islands are associated with nearby Holy Island as one of the cradles of christianity in the north. Founded in 547 by King Ida, the village has a fine Norman church that is dedicated to St.Aiden who came here for meditation. A legend exists that when he saw the pagan Penda of Mercia burning Bamburgh castle he prayed mightily, the wind changed direction and the castle was saved. He died here in 651.

By 1704, Bamburgh castle was in ruins. It was then bought by Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham. In 1757 a Doctor Sharp made part of it habitable and installed a school, an infirmary and accommodation for shipwrecked sailors. In 1890 the castle was restored and altered by Lord Armstrong.

Cottages and houses are all clustered around a fine village green but to this day, it is the castle with its magnificent views of coast, sea and islands, that remains very much the heart of the village.

The Post Office is the house where Victorian heroine, Grace Darling died. The house in which she was born is close-by the church and next to it is the Grace Darling Museum. Grace, was the daughter of the Longstone Lighthouse keeper in the Farne Islands. On a september day in 1838 the steamship "Forfarshire" was wrecked and both Grace and her father battled for hours in an attempt to save survivors. The open rowing boat, only twenty-six feet long, which they used so heroically, is preserved and on display in the museum.

There is much to do it this wonderful area, from the gentle pastime of Bird watching to Sea trips to the Islands which mostly leave from the nearby resort of Seahouses. For the more energetic there is a beautiful golf course and there are many other country persuits to be enjoyed. The air is very bracing and country walks are a must. There are some very atmospheric pubs, and an assortment of both quaint and modern shops. All of this the visitor will surely enjoy but long after your visit is over, it it the wonderful coastline and towering castle with magnificent views that will remain long in your memory.

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