Aydon Castle

Over het museum

Aydon Castle is a fortified manor house in Northumberland, about a mile from Corbridge. It is often described as one of the least-altered medieval manor houses in England. A timber hall stood on the site first, and in the 1290s the land was bought by Hugh de Raymes, a Suffolk merchant. His son Robert moved his household here and began building in stone. At first the house had no real defences.

The situation changed with the Anglo-Scottish wars. A licence to fortify the house was granted in 1305, and from 1311 Scottish raiding parties made it necessary to strengthen the walls. The house withstood at least two attacks, but it was captured, plundered and burnt by the Scots in 1315 after the Battle of Bannockburn. Robert de Raymes was ruined by the damage and by his ransom. His son later rebuilt and strengthened the castle.

The Raymes family sold the estate in the 15th century, and from the 17th century the building was used as a farmhouse. This explains why so much of the medieval structure survived. The farm use ended in 1966, and the property is now cared for by English Heritage. Visitors can see the great hall, chambers with original fireplaces, a medieval latrine and the battlements, and can picnic in the walled orchard.

Hoogtepunten

• Hall and chambers of a 13th-century manor house
• Original medieval fireplaces and a garderobe (latrine)
• Battlements with views over the surrounding countryside
• Walled orchard with picnic space
• Close to the Hadrian's Wall Trail

Opgericht

1296

Beheerder

English Heritage

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The prices shown are online advance prices for peak days, which include a 10% discount and exclude the optional donation. Tickets bought at the gate are more expensive (adult 9.00, child 4.50, concession 8.10, family 22.70, one-adult family 13.60). Prices for the 2027 season may change. English Heritage members enter free.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: niet aanwezig
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: niet aanwezig
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: niet aanwezig
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor; there are stairs to the great hall and the battlements, and no lift. Paths are grass, gravel and stone, with some slopes along the outside walkway and rough grass in places. Six disabled parking spaces are available, and visitors with limited mobility can be set down at the castle entrance. There are accessible toilets and an adult changing area, handrails, wheelchair loan and site folders, and an induction loop in the shop. Braille guides and signage, torches and vibrating fire alarms are listed. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte

The grassed areas inside the walls have seating and plenty of space for children to run around, and ball games are allowed. Pushchairs are allowed, and baby changing facilities and high chairs are provided.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The castle is 1 mile north-east of Corbridge on a minor road off the B6321 or A68. Sat-nav postcode NE45 5PJ. The castle is less than a mile from the Hadrian's Wall Trail.

Service & horeca

• Café: niet aanwezig
• Restaurant: niet aanwezig
• Museumwinkel

There is no cafe on site; food and drink are available in Corbridge, 2 miles away. There is a site shop, and there are picnic spaces in the grassed areas and the walled orchard.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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