Prudhoe Castle (Copyright © Don Brownlow)

Prudhoe Castle was built in the early 12th century as a motte and bailey. It was later rebuilt in stone. In the 13th century a massive curtain wall was built and extended to include the stone keep. A barbican was added in the 14th century. A medieval bridge stands outside the outer defences. Additional service buildings would have existed all round the inside of the curtain wall and would have included, for example, a bake house, lodgings for servants and men-at-arms, a guesthouse, stabling and workshops. The castle was built by the barons of Prudhoe, the Umfravilles. It controlled the middle stretch of the Tyne valley and one of the principal north-south routes across the river, making it an obstacle to Scottish armies invading England. In addition to its strong stone fortifications, the castle relied for its defence on its position on a steep-sided hill. This is a Grade I Listed Building and a Scheduled Monument protected by law.