Warkworth Castle is a true castle on the hill, sitting above the River Coquet and boasting stunning views across the Northumberland coast and local village. We love exploring English Heritage sites, and this is no different. Read on to check out everything you need to know about adding this day out to your next trip to Northumberland.

The Hassan family are posing for a photo on the grass grounds in front of Warkworth Castle.

About Warkworth Castle

It’s believed that Warkworth started as a home to the Anglo-Saxon Earls of Northumbria and later in its life was gifted to the Percy family by Edward III. In 1915 Warkworth was declared a scheduled ancient monument before being taken into state guardianship 7 years later.

Did you know…? The two upper chambers known as the Duke’s Rooms remained under the control of the Percy family until just 37 years ago!

Pickle is walking away from the camera toward the big wooden entrance gates in the walls of Warkworth Castle

When is Warkworth Castle open?

Warkworth Castle opening times depend on the season, so it is always worth checking the specific opening times on the website before you visit. As a rough guide, the following days and times apply:

Summer

Monday to Friday

10am - 5pm

Winter

Weekends only

10am - 4pm

The arches windows in the walls of Warkworth Castle with the view of the countryside and sea beyond.

Where can I park?

Warkworth Castle has a car park beyond the front gate for around 48 cars, and additional parking can be found in the local village.

N.B. Parking charges apply for non-members.

To find the car park, use this post code: NE65 0UJ

Pickle is walking toward the bridge over the moat outside the walls of Warkworth Castle

How much does visiting Warkworth Castle and Hermitage cost?

As an English Heritage site, Warkworth Castle is free for members to visit. If you wish to head for a day out without a English Heritage membership, charges apply:

Adult tickets: £13
Child tickets: £8
Concession ticket: £11.50
Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children): £34
Family ticket (1 adult, 2 children): £21

Did you know…? You can book online until 8.45am on the day of your visit and save 15%!

To enter the hermitage an additional ticket is required, which must be purchased at Warkworth Castle. Prices are from:

Adult tickets: £5.50
Child: £3.00
Concession: £4.50
Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children): £14
Family ticket (1 adult, 2 children): £8.50

John and Naomi are hugging below the arch of the tower in the grounds of Warworth Castle

What is available at Warkworth Castle and Hermitage?

Interactive trail

Explore the castle and learn more about the people that lived there with the interactive trail at Warkworth Castle. Choose your character, from Henry Percy of Atholl to Eleanor Neville: Countess of Northumberland to John del Warderobe: long-serving servant of the rulers of Warkworth, and discover the history of the castle in a unique and fun way.

Sculptures

From a large, to-scale sandstone model of the castle itself to artistic metal shapes there are a variety of sculptures to find and enjoy across Warkworth Castle's grounds.

A large metal sculpture of the grounds and keep is sat in front of the real stone building of Warkworth Castle

The Percy lions

Lion carvings around the castle grounds pay homage to the Percy family who owned Warkworth Castle and Alnwick Castle just a short distance away.

Did you know…? The decendants of these powerful 14th Century owners of Warkworth still live at Alnwick Castle today.

Underground ruins

It’s not just the walls and castle that you can explore, head down inside the vaults and explore the rooms below ground in the shadow of the keep.

Naomi is standing in the vaults at Warkworth Castle taking a photo of the 3 older Hassan children through a hole at the top of the wall.

The cross-shaped keep

The nearly fully in-tact keep is a fabulous place to explore. Climb stairs to upper levels and discover the perfect spot to play hide and seek as you explore the ruins of the 600 year old castle.

Squidgy and Munchkin are running around the upper floors of the Warkworth Castle keep.

Coastal views

With the beach just a mile or so down the road, and the castle situated atop a hill, it’s no wonder the views from the upper floors of the keep are stunning. Simply look through the 15th-century arched windows across the beautiful Northumberland countryside to the ocean beyond.

Free audio tours

Fancy more in-depth history of Warkworth Castle? English Heritage has a free audio tour available to pick up in the shop. Discover everything you never knew you wanted to know about the timeline and characters found in the castle’s rich history.

John's parents are standing in the Warkworth Castle keep holding the audio tour devices

Watch my video of our 2024 visit

Want to see what it's like in more than just photos? Check out the reel I created of our visit to Warkworth Castle this summer.

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A post shared by Naomi Hassan (@mebecomingmum)

FAQs about our family days out

Is it suitable for children?

Warkworth Castle is 100% family-friendly. Old and young alike will enjoy the castle! The main grounds of the castle are pushchair- and wheelchair-friendly. However, if you want to head inside the keep or down into the vaults these areas are only accessible by walking up and down steps. Older children like ours will love exploring the ruins, playing hide and seek, looking for the highlight points of the interactive trail, and so much more.

Are there facilities available?

There are male, female, and disabled toilets available with baby changing facilities also on site.

The four hassan children are posing and smiling at the camera in matching summer outfits in from of the vaults and keep at Warkworth Castle

Is there anywhere to eat nearby?

As always, I recommend taking a picnic. Whether you sit on the grassy grounds or are lucky enough to nab the picnic bench on sit, this is the best way to enjoy a meal during your day out. If you’re looking for a meal out, the nearest facilities are in the nearby village.

The three younger Hassan children are sitting at a wooden picnic bench with the ruins of Warkworth Castle behind them

With this guide, you have everything you need to make the trip out, from finding Warkworth to what you’ll find when you get there. So, whether you want to visit alone or are looking for a local day out for all the family on your next Northumberland staycation, Warkworth Castle is a great choice and highly recommended.

For more blog posts about exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces England offers, check out my days out and travel blog. Have you found somewhere amazing to visit in Northumberland? We love to explore new spots, so feel free to share in the comments below.