A day out at Bamburgh Castle with kids, Northumberland

With one of the most dramatic locations for any castle in Northumberland, on a volcanic outcrop overlooking the beach, Bamburgh also has one of the most eventful histories – just two reasons why a visit to Bamburgh Castle with kids is unmissable.

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We were averaging about one castle per day during our family holiday in Northumberland but Bamburgh was definitely one of the most child-friendly, with an activity book and trail, the state rooms to explore and walls to walk, lots of space to run around plus those sand dunes for afterwards.

The fact that the early rulers who lived here had names like Ida the Flamebearer and Aethelfrith the Destroyer, that it was the home of English kings (and prison of a Scottish one) was just another exciting bonus for my daughter.

As you walk through the arched gate to head inside the walls, there’s an eye-catching timeline along the path leading up to the castle grounds, a perfect introduction to its long history.

And it is a very long history indeed…

The area was already inhabited when the Anglo-Saxon king of Northumbria decided to make it his royal capital in 547, although the oldest parts of today’s castle were built by the Normans, after the Vikings destroyed the fortress in the 10th century.

After playing its role in battles between William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror, and later Northumbrian kings, plus wars with the Scots, Bamburgh was also the first castle in England to be destroyed by gunfire during the Wars of the Roses.

With the sun shining down on a gorgeous summer’s day, it was hard to believe this peaceful spot had seen so much conflict – and more surprising that there’s anything still standing.

But there is plenty to explore at Bamburgh Castle with kids, including family activities and trails.

It’s worth picking up the activity book too – the story, stickers and some of the activities are best for younger kids, but my nine-year-old loved the fun facts and the dragon trail.

Searching for all the letters dotted around the castle with their dragon signs ensured we explored every corner in our attempts to crack the code.

We even stumbled across some old rune signs from a previous activity, so there’s often something new for kids to discover too.

There’s lots to inspire kids’ imaginations along the way: who can resist looking at a line of cannons pointed out to sea without pretending to fight off invaders?

Having repelled the attacking foe, we marched along the walls of the inner ward, keeping a close eye out for signs of life.

By the time we reached the huge bell, moved from the old ‘Belle Tower’ to its current home in the ruins of the chapel after its chiming annoyed one former owner, we had spotted nothing more ferocious than a wild rabbit in the undergrowth though.

Which brought us neatly to the entrance to the state rooms, a trail which leads through the more recent additions back to the imposing Norman Keep, which still dominates the rest of the castle.

One of Britain’s largest inhabited castles – with some competition from nearby Alnwick Castle – walking through the state rooms takes you on a journey through Bamburgh’s history too.

Some rooms have changed over the years, such as the medieval great kitchen, which now houses various displays and a model of the castle.

The King’s Hall, on the other hand, looks as if it hasn’t changed since the Middle Ages – although the ornate ceiling is actually Victorian, made with teak from Thailand.

It’s still hugely impressive, with suits of armour tucked into corners, and some eye-catching artwork on the walls.

In the Cross Hall at the end, The Card Players towers above the armchairs – you can easily imagine the gamblers in the portrait relaxing here with their games and drinks a few hundred years ago.

A few areas were still closed off following the pandemic, but each room brought a new discovery, from the well-named ‘Faire Chamber’ to apartments which once housed royalty, now a library with billiard table, to the objects on display in the Keep.

This ornate 16th century Tuscan marriage chest was beautiful, intricately decorated, its gilding bright after 500 years.

A tunnel took us down to the Armoury, as well as the site of the 7th century Anglo-Saxon well which the Norman keep was later built around.

There are also some slightly gruesome wax figures in the dungeon, although it’s easy to bypass these if you want to avoid anyone having nightmares!

With nine acres of castle and grounds to explore, it was time to head back outside, past the intriguing old churns and devices in the kitchens, to explore further.

Stopping only to pose on the stone throne and to see how fast she could race up and down the grassy slope to the Keep, we ticked off a few more dragon clues and refuelled with a drink and a snack.

There are a couple of places to get food, including the Clock Tower Tearoom and Tack Room Café, or you can picnic on the grass as well.

Then it was time to stroll back in time to the old mill and Anglo Saxon village in the west ward.

There are often family activities taking place here, especially during school holidays, with a chance to see coins being struck during our visit (and for my daughter to buy a genuine Anglo Saxon mood ring as a souvenir!)

If you walk right down to the mill at the edge of the castle grounds, you can see St Oswald’s Gate too, one of the oldest parts of the castle and the entrance to the medieval fortress, plus some amazing views out to the beach and sea.

On a clear day, you can see for miles – the Romans used this spot for beacons as part of a warning and defence system along the coast, we discovered from my daughter’s activity book.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that one quirky chapter in the castle’s history saw it becoming the first lifeguard station in the country in 1786.

The first lifeboat was launched from this spot, while guns were fired from the ramparts in foggy weather, and both beach patrols and a castle watch kept a look out for ships in distress, with huge chains kept on the sand to tow them to safety.

By the end of the 19th century, the castle had passed into the hands of the Armstrong family, who still own it and live here today – and there’s a little museum in this part of the castle celebrating inventor William Armstrong, as well as housing a variety of early 20th century engines and aviation exhibits.

Known as the Magician of the north, his manor at Cragside was the first house to be lit by hydroelectricity, and he was a firm advocate of using both solar and water power.

The beach was calling to us by now though: my daughter determined to make her own version of Bamburgh Castle in sand, me to get the fabulous view back along the beach to its towers.

Having started my own day on a puffin-spotting cruise from Seahouses to the Farne Islands, including some gorgeous views along the coast to the castle, I ended it the same way. Staring at the castle high on its hill, marvelling at the history it has seen and the enemies it has endured.

I wonder what Ida the Flamebearer would make of it today? For a family day out in Northumberland, we loved it.

Need to know: Visiting Bamburgh Castle with kids

Tickets cost £17 for adults, £8.50 for children aged five to 16. Under fives go free, and there are also family tickets available for £55, for up to two adults and three children.

Parking costs £5 and must be paid separately in the car park – you can use contactless payments and it entitles you to park all day, and you can walk across to the beach from here.

There’s a separate overflow car park at the foot of the castle hill, but expect a relatively steep walk up if you’re visiting with kids.

Numbers are currently limited so prebooked tickets are recommended, especially during peak season and school holidays, but some walk-up tickets are also available.

There are no time slots for prebooked tickets though, so you can arrive at any time between opening at 10am and last admission at 4pm (the castle closes at 5pm).

Payments in the Clock Tower Tearoom and Tack Room Cafe are also by contactless rather than cash.

If you’re visiting with a baby or toddler, prams and pushchairs aren’t allowed in the staterooms, although there are hip seats to borrow (or you can use your own baby carrier).

For more things to do in Northumberland with kids, check out my top picks

PIN FOR LATER: BAMBURGH CASTLE WITH KIDS

Disclosure: My entry to Bamburgh Castle was free for the purposes of review – all options on visiting Bamburgh Castle with kids remain my own. This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission.

Images copyright MummyTravels

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