Morpeth Castle

Our friends who are over from America for a couple of weeks have been staying at Morpeth Castle for the last few days. I didn't even know that Morpeth had a castle until 4 years ago. It's owned by the Landmark Trust who have done it out beautifully and turned it into fabulous self-catering accommodation on 3 levels.

(It's interesting that JDO blipped a different Landmark Trust property on 18th June, here.)

We went to Morpeth for the evening and our friends showed us round the castle and its extensive private grounds. In fact the building which remains is just the gatehouse of the original castle; it was built about 1340. It has an interesting history - in 1516 Margaret, sister of Henry VIII and widow of James IV of Scotland, stayed for four months in Morpeth Castle as she fled from her enemies in Scotland and sought refuge with her brother.

Our friends party includes two young lads, aged 7 and 8 (see my extra on last Saturday's blip): they think the castle is amazing, they don't have buildings like this back in the States!!