BAMBOROUGH CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND
=How to get there.=—Train from King's Cross. Great Northern Rly.
=Nearest Station.=—Belford (4-1/2 miles from Bamborough).
=Distance from London.=—393 miles.
=Average Time.=—About 9 hours.
1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—Single 43s. 11d. … 26s. 11d.
Return 87s. 10d. … 33s. 10d.
=Accommodation Obtainable.=—
=Alternative Route.=—Train from St. Pancras to Belford (Midland
Railway) via Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Standing on an almost perpendicular mass of basaltic rock, overlooking the sea at a height of 150 feet, is Bamborough Castle. The stately keep belongs to the original stronghold, which was built on the site of what was probably one of a chain of fortresses raised by the Romans for the protection of the coast. For many centuries the castle was possessed of great strength, and was frequently used as a place of refuge by the Kings and Earls of Northumberland. It was founded by Ida, king of the Angles, about A.D. 547, and suffered considerably at the hands of the Danes in 933. Earlier than this, however, in the seventh century, Bamborough was besieged by Penda, the pagan king of Mercia, who, although having recently gained several victories, made great efforts to burn down the castle. Having set his men to work to accumulate a great mass of brushwood, Penda had huge piles heaped up beneath the walls. As soon as the wind was in the right quarter he set alight the brushwood. Shortly afterwards, however, the wind veered round until it blew in the opposite direction, to the discomfiture of his own people, who were thus obliged to abandon their camp.
Afterwards the castle was repaired again, and was besieged by William
II. when Robert Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland, took refuge there.
During the Wars of the Roses Bamborough was frequently captured and
recaptured, and in the various sieges suffered very severely.
In 1720 Nathaniel, Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham, having purchased the castle, bequeathed it in his will for charitable purposes. The Bishop's trustees carried out a considerable amount of repairs, and at the present time the residential portion is frequently let by the trustees to tenants for varying periods.
[Illustration: Photochrom Co., Ltd.