Edlingham, near Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2BW
Edlingham Castle
Castle
Place photograph
6.5
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Free
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.5A riverside manor house progressively fortified against the Scots during the 14th century, now best known for its striking leaning tower.
Edlingham is more revealing than a conventional fortress ruin: its riverside remains show a manor house being fortified over time, while the leaning tower gives the modest site a memorable silhouette. Pair it with another Northumberland castle for a worthwhile history-focused day.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapEdlingham, near Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2BW
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
A compact visit centred on the castle ruins and their leaning tower. Take care around uneven surfaces and falling masonry; English Heritage says not to climb.
Things to do
See the leaning tower
Take in the castle’s distinctive leaning tower from a safe visitor area. Do not climb; English Heritage warns of falling masonry.
Explore the riverside manor-house ruins
Look at the remaining fabric as the remains of a manor house progressively fortified against the Scots during the 14th century.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow under an hour; exact visit duration not verified.
Quick Escape: the leaning tower
- 01
Check English Heritage’s current visitor guidance before travelling.
- 02
Use the small amount of parking reported at the adjacent church, if available.
- 03
Explore the castle remains from safe visitor areas and take in the leaning tower.
- 04
Watch for uneven surfaces and falling masonry; do not climb.
Half day · Half day; travel and visit durations are not verified.
Make a half day of it: castle and priory
- 01
Visit Edlingham Castle during daylight hours and allow time to explore its remains.
- 02
Continue to Brinkburn Priory, which English Heritage lists 6.6 miles from Edlingham Castle.
- 03
Check both places’ current access information before travelling.
Full Wildland day · Full day; travel and visit durations are not verified.
A Northumberland castle day
- 01
Start at Edlingham Castle and look for the leaning tower.
- 02
Continue to Warkworth Castle, listed by English Heritage as around 20 minutes from Edlingham.
- 03
If time and current opening arrangements allow, add Dunstanburgh Castle; English Heritage lists it among nearby places.
Verified history
English Heritage describes Edlingham as the riverside ruins of a manor house progressively fortified against the Scots during the 14th century. The supplied visitor information also identifies the leaning tower as a notable feature. The available evidence does not establish a more detailed chronology or identify specific residents.
Hidden details
A fortified home, not just a fortress — English Heritage’s account foregrounds the site’s development as a manor house progressively fortified during the 14th century.
The leaning tower — The leaning tower is singled out in the supplied English Heritage visitor information as a remarkable feature of the site.
When to go
· Daylight hours
English Heritage says the site is open at any reasonable time during daylight hours. No source-supported seasonal highlight is available.
Waterproof footwear is recommended. Uneven surfaces and falling masonry are identified hazards.
Worth pairing with
Brinkburn Priory
A nearby heritage pairing listed by English Heritage, 6.6 miles from Edlingham Castle.
Warkworth Castle
A substantial Northumberland fortress above the River Coquet; English Heritage says it is around 20 minutes from Edlingham.
Dunstanburgh Castle
A coastal castle pairing listed by English Heritage among the nearby places.
What to look for
The leaning tower and the riverside remains of the fortified manor house. Keep to safe visitor areas: English Heritage warns of falling masonry and says not to climb.
The story
A riverside manor house progressively fortified against the Scots during the 14th century.
Best time to go
Daylight visits are suitable throughout the year; waterproof footwear is recommended.
Visit during daylight hours. The site’s free-entry and daylight-opening information is supplied by English Heritage; check its current guidance before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
English Heritage states that the site is open at any reasonable time during daylight hours and has free entry. Check current conditions before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
English Heritage reports a small amount of parking at the adjacent church. Check availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome, according to English Heritage.
Accessibility
English Heritage lists uneven surfaces and falling-masonry hazards. The source row reports that the entrance is not wheelchair-accessible. Check current access conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Riverside setting; no water activities verified.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Edlingham Castle
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph6.8Lordenshaw Hillfort Circular
Lordenshaws, near Rothbury, Northumberland
12.2 km away
Place photograph8.1Warkworth Castle
Castle Terrace, Warkworth, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65 0UJ
13.5 km away
