Attractions and Places To See around Thirston - Top 20

English Heritage. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the summer the very good café at the Warkworth Cricket Club is open for very good cakes, cheese scones and bacon or sausage baps.

Blustery but dry in January, welcome coffee at Warkworth House Hotel then yummy soup back in Amble at The Helm 😊

Beautiful castle on a hill above the village

Evidence of prehistoric settlements suggests Rothburys importance stretches back millennia. During the medieval period, it became a vital part of the Barony of Warkworth, changing hands between various noble families like the FitzRogers, Claverings, Percys, and Ogles. A key turning point came in 1291 when King Edward I granted Rothbury a market charter. This solidified its position as a commercial hub for the surrounding agricultural region, particularly for cattle and wool. The town's newfound prosperity, however, attracted unwanted attention. The 15th and 16th centuries saw a period of unrest as Rothbury became a target for Border Reivers. These Scottish raiders were notorious for plundering towns along the Anglo-Scottish border, and Rothbury, situated at a crucial crossroads with a ford over the River Coquet, bore the brunt of their attacks. Despite facing these challenges, Rothbury persevered. Today, the town's historic core reflects its layered past. Buildings showcase diverse architectural styles, each whispering a tale from a different era. The impressive All Saints Parish Church stands as a prominent example. This church, with its Saxon cross nestled beneath the font and Victorian restorations, embodies the town's enduring legacy.

This is the old bridge crossing the River Coquet. The water was fast flowing and quite high due to the snow melting yesterday. The new bridge is just to the left of the one in the photo.

Its worth paying to enter the castle, but if you don't want to, there is a path all the way around the outside of the walls where you can still get a good look

Warkworth Castle and Hermitage form one of the most unusual pairs of medieval monuments in Britain. The castle was probably laid out in its present form in about 1200 and was the favoured residence of the powerful Percy family from the 14th to the 17th centuries. As the Earls (and later Dukes) of Northumberland, they were among the greatest landowners in northern England. Nearby, on the banks of the river Coquet and accessible only by boat, are the remains of a chapel known as the hermitage, carved directly out of the cliff rock.

This is an ancient defensive bridge across the River Coquet giving access to Warkworth town. Dating back to 1379, this defensive tower at its southern end makes this bridge the only surviving fortified bridge in England.