Exploring Featherstone Castle in Northumberland
2024-08-08
Featherstone Castle is a Gothic-style country mansion with a long history of around 800 years. The structure is located on the banks of the River South Tyne and is about 25 kilometres from Lovelady Shield Hotel and Cottages. This Grade I listed Gothic-style country mansion is a captivating destination for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and, in short, all kinds of tourists. Read on to learn more about Featherstone Castle in Northumberland.
Breathtaking History
Originally built as a defensive stronghold, the castle has seen numerous alterations and expansions over the centuries. The earliest mediaeval records show that in the 11th century, the manor house on this site belonged to the Featherstonehaugh family, and played an important role in the English-Scottish conflicts.
In the 13th century, a tower was added to an already expansive hall house. A new round of expansions and renovations started in the 17th century when Sir William Howard acquired the property. Some years later, a member of Featherstonehaugh family repurchased the castle. However, shortly after, the property shifted hands several times, and the owners changed again and again.
The castle survived and even saw through another significant event in human history. During World War II, POW camps were situated along the South Tyne River on the grounds of Featherstone Castle.