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Chillingham castle.

13th Century Northumberland castle famed for action and battles

Chillingham, Northumberland, NE66 5NJ

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Chillingham Castle is a 13th-century, Grade I listed stronghold in Northumberland, famed for action and battles.

With its fine rooms, gardens, lakes, fountains and tea rooms, the castle has an extraordinary ownership bloodline which runs back to the 1200s.

Just twenty minutes from the seaside, this romantic and thriving castle is perfect for short breaks or family days out! Or if you’re looking for a more chilling experience, as one of the most haunted castles in England, our ‘Torture Chamber’ and evening Ghost Tours are sure to entertain.

This remarkable and very private castle has been continuously owned by just one family line since the 1200’s. A visit from Edward I in 1298 was followed by many other Royal visits right down through this century.  The 1100’s stronghold became a fortified castle in 1344 and during the Tudor period additions were made but the underlying medievalism remains.

With gardens laid out by Sir Jeffrey Wyatville and romantic grounds, the castle commands breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Please note:  The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.

30 March – 3 November

11am – 5pm daily (last admission 4pm)

See their website to double check their opening times

Historic Houses members visit for free. There is no need to book: just turn up and show your Historic House membership card.

Concessions £10

Children £7

Family ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children under 16) £30

Private guided tours to be booked in advance, minimum group of 10 people.

Please phone +44 (0) 1668 215359.

Available Easter to November at 10am daily. Flexible times available during closed season.

Group – Adult: £10.00 Group – Child : £6.00 Group – Concession: £9.00 Cost per guide: £50.00 Groups of more than 20 will require two guides

Getting here

The main visitor entrance is at  ///hunches.elbow.slurping .  What does this mean?

Located 2 miles south of B6348 at Chatton. 6 miles south east of Wooler.

Nearest stations are Alnmouth or Berwick upon Tweed, take a taxi to the castle.

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Chillingham Castle

Chillingham Castle, Chillingham, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 5NJ

This remarkable and very private castle has been continuously owned by just one family line since the 1200's. A visit from Edward I in 1298 was followed by many other Royal visits right down through the centuries. See Chillingham's alarming dungeons as well as active restoration in the Great Halls and State Rooms which are gradually brought back to life with tapestries, arms and armour. We even have a very real torture chamber. T : 01668 215359 E :  [email protected] W :  www.chillingham-castle.com

Opening times: 11am - 5pm (last admission 4pm).  

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Chillingham Castle

Northeast England

Steeped in history, warfare, torture and ghosts, 13th-century Chillingham is said to be one of the country's most haunted places, with spectres from a phantom funeral to Lady Mary Berkeley seeking her errant husband. Owner Sir Humphry Wakefield has passionately restored the castle's extravagant medieval staterooms, stone-flagged banquet halls and grisly torture chambers. Chillingham is 6 miles southeast of Wooler. Bus 470 (four daily Monday to Saturday) between Alnwick (£3, 25 minutes) and Wooler (£3, 20 minutes) stops at Chillingham.

Dates for two-hour evening ghost tours (per person £20), some family-friendly, are listed on the website. Committed ghost hunters can undertake an all-night vigil (£60) overseen by the castle's dedicated paranormal team.

It's possible to stay at the medieval fortress in one of eight self-catering apartments (doubles from £100) where the likes of Henry III and Edward I once snoozed.

The grounds are home to some 100 Chillingham Wild Cattle, thought to be the last descendants of the aurochs that once roamed Britain until becoming all but extinct during the Bronze Age, making them one of the world's rarest breeds of any species. Tours lasting one hour are led by a park warden; wear sturdy shoes.

Chillingham

Get In Touch

01668-215359

https://​www​.chillingham-castle​.com​/

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A ghost tour of Chillingham Castle

Graced by royalty for centuries, Chillingham Castle is also one of England’s most haunted castles. Gilly Pickup explores its spooky history

Graced by royalty for centuries, Chillingham Castle is also one of England’s most haunted castles. Gilly Pickup explores this spooky history on her guided tour

Throughout the ages, many royal feet have crossed Chillingham Castle’s imposing threshold and one of the earliest monarchs to visit was Henry III in 1245. This now-ancient stronghold was built on the site of a former monastery that also meant it was in a handy location for a stop en-route to Scotland, a fact that Edward I, referred to as the “Hammer of the Scots”, took advantage of when heading north of the border to take on the might of William Wallace’s army in 1298. The building was upgraded to the fully-fortified Chillingham Castle in 1344 when a “licence to crenelate” was issued, permitting battlements to be built.  

James VI of Scotland later dropped by to stay for a while at Chillingham when on his way to London to be crowned James I of England in 1603, while his son and heir, Charles I, laid his head here for a couple of nights just before he was taken prisoner. Edward VII sometimes stayed at the castle too, during his hunting visits in the Victorian era. The royal connection is still maintained through occasional private visits from members of the current royal family. 

Until 1932, the grade I listed Chillingham Castle was owned by the Grey family – of Earl Grey tea fame – and their descendants, who acquired the title Earls of Tankerville. Probably due to increasing costs, the castle gradually fell into decay, but things kept rumbling along until the 1980s when Sir Humphry Wakefield and his wife Katharine decided to buy it. She is the daughter of Lady Mary Grey, a descendant of the family who established Chillingham. 

The main building hasn’t changed much across the centuries. Elizabethan galleries were added in Tudor times and in the 18th century the grounds came under the influence of legendary landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, his ideas carried out by the then royal gardener, Sir Jeffry Wyatville.

Beyond the garden, the woodland and lakes are home to wildlife including fallow and roe deer, brown hares, badgers, foxes and squirrels, while around 90 Chillingham ‘wild cattle’ also live there, fenced off from the public. Some believe that these magnificent animals are descendants of aurochs, the large wild cattle that once freely roamed our countryside and forests, but which almost became extinct in the Bronze Age. 

They were once held in such high esteem that they were regarded as sacred and they remain rarer than many endangered species and are the only wild cattle in the world. Amazingly, they have never been touched by human hand and no vet has ever treated one. Visitors can go to see the wild cattle, but only on a guided tour with a warden who knows how close to them it is safe to get.  

History and cattle aside, the castle is probably best known these days thanks to its reputation as one of England’s most haunted castles. Regular ghost tours and all-night ghost vigils are popular with visitors. There certainly seems to be something spooky going on inside the castle walls if extracts from the visitors’ book are to be believed. “I felt this hand on my arm. It was a most friendly feeling and I believe someone was trying to guide me to see something,” says one, while another claims “My camera just would not take a picture of the orbs and lighting I actually saw. Yet, when I developed my film, there were just those same orbs, but in different places and rooms. Literally, all over the place!”  

At least the spirits involved in these incidences don’t sound too scary, not like the lost souls and their torturer who, it is whispered, appear from time to time in the torture chamber. Entities aside, those who feel squeamish at the thought of stretching racks, man traps and spiked chairs should perhaps give that part of the tour a miss.

In the chapel, the voices of two men have been heard but never seen. They stop talking if anyone tries to seek them out. More famous is the spectre known as the Radiant Boy whose cries of fear – or maybe pain – echoed through the corridors. 

The story goes that as the cries fade, a halo of light can be seen, and a figure of a boy dressed in blue appears. While these sightings are hard to verify, we do know that a child’s skeleton surrounded by scraps of blue cloth was found behind a wall during repair work some years ago.

These spooky happenings aren’t restricted to the private rooms. Among those open to visitors is the Still Room where a painting hangs of the so-called haunting witch. Apparently, she curses anybody who steals anything from the room – it certainly must be a deterrent. American explorer Norman Vaughan’s sled hangs from that room’s ceiling, while also on view is a huge bowl, used for pouring boiling oil over unwelcome visitors back in the day.   

The oldest room in the castle – and one that visitors can see – is the Edward I Room, which has been restored with a gallery, armour, weapons and period furnishings. In a hidey hole near a window, more than 100 Elizabethan documents came to light during renovations some years ago. Some of these relate to the Spanish Armada, others to the succession of James VI of Scotland. 

The King James I Room is part of a three-room suite created especially for the monarch. It has a fine Elizabethan ceiling, walls covered in tapestries and silk, and it is furnished with copies of antique originals. Meanwhile, the armoury is filled with weapons and armour, as might be expected, yet there are also displays of poison blowpipes and a collection of rare insects. More weapons are displayed in the Elizabethan Great Hall where royals galore have been entertained over the centuries. The walls are lined with tapestries and antlers, the remains of the original chimney are in the south wall, while above that are two small windows. 

The second of that suite of rooms is the Plaque Room Library, which holds reminders of the owner’s family, past and present and includes many paintings. One depicts Sir Humphry’s cousin, Lord Wakefield, who was London’s Lord Mayor during the First World War, and another depicts The Marquess of Bath, Lady Wakefield’s great-grandfather. Several others depict the Chillingham wild cattle. The library also contains a four-poster bed where King James sometimes received his guests and, of course, shelves lined with books, many relating to the Wakefield family.  

The final room in that royal suite is the New Dining Room, which would have once been a place for royal visitors to wash and sleep in the Stuart era. The royal latrine was in the original tower stairs and the person who looked after the King earned the title ‘Groom of the Stool’. This, the king’s most intimate and therefore most powerful servant, who would normally have been a nobleman’s son or an important member of the gentry, had access to the bedchamber, closet and stool room. 

As such, despite being the king’s official lavatory assistant, the Groom of the Stool ranked high in social circles. The white lion statues in the room are casts of a pair formerly in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and later sold at Christie’s for £4 million.

Final highlights not to be missed include the Minstrel’s Hall with its balustraded gallery decorated with spears, tapestries and flags, one of which was brought from King George V’s royal yacht, while the Berthele Room, named after a German tank commander who was a prisoner-of-war, is full of Bronze Age stones which the man himself found. 

Above all, Chillingham Castle is a great visitor attraction, somewhere to indulge in a dose of magnificence and legend, and experience a slab of Britain’s history. 

Gilly is the author of The 50 Greatest Castles and Palaces in the World, published by Icon Books. www.chillingham-castle.com

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Admission prices & discounts for tickets to Chillingham Castle in Alnwick

The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to Chillingham Castle in Alnwick . All prices are displayed per age group or reduced rate group. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Chillingham Castle here, if available, or make a reservation to reserve a timeslot if applicable.

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A Ghost Tour of Creepy Chillingham Castle (+ 4 Other Haunted Castles in Northumberland)

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With towering fortress walls and lavishly decorated rooms, the spectacular castles of Northumberland are most picturesque during the day. But as soon as the sun sets, the castle’s paranormal residents come out to play, wandering the rooms and corridors haunting any guest who crosses their paths. 

While Chillingham Castle is arguably the scariest destination for ghost hunters, several other castles in Northumberland are known to be haunted. You can book a ghost tour, embark on a paranormal investigation, or even spend the night in one of the castle rooms – if you dare!

Chillingham Castle

Although it’s considered by many to be the most haunted castle in Northumberland, Chillingham Castle may not look too frightening from the outside. But once you step through the front door, you’ll be in contact with haunted rooms, eerie ghosts, and heart-pounding paranormal activity that’ll make your hairs stand on end.

History of Chillingham Castle

Dating back to the 12 th  century, Chillingham Castle Northumbria was initially built as a monastery. However, it was used as a fortress for English armies during the England and Scotland border wars. Unfortunately, parts of the castle were destroyed during WWII. It was restored roughly 30 years later by Sir Humphry Wakefield, an English bayonet expert married to a descendent of the Chillingham family.

Now, parts of Chillingham Castle England are open to the public for tours. It’s also possible to spend the night in one of the eight en-suite rooms located inside the castle.

Chillingham Castle Torture

Lurking beneath the floorboards away from the great halls and luxurious staterooms is the Chillingham torture chamber. It is here where over 7,500 Scottish prisoners and victims were housed and tortured by castle guards. The torture chamber includes stretching racks, beds of nails, spiked chairs, and even cages that were used to store live victims.

Chillingham Castle Ghosts

Besides the torture chambers, numerous spectres and ghostly figures are known to haunt the castle corridors. One of the most famous ghosts of Chillingham Castle is the Blue Boy, whose loud cries would emanate from the walls and follow anyone who visited the Pink Room of the castle. His body was found by construction workers in the 1920s, after which the cries apparently subsided.

The rustle of abandoned widow Lady Grey’s dress can also be heard on the Chillingham Castle ghost tour. Her spirit continues to roam the haunted Chillingham Castle in search of her dead husband.

If you plan to spend the night at the castle, don’t be surprised if you are woken up by footsteps or spooky sounds coming from outside your room.

Other Haunted Castles in Northumberland

Alnwick castle.

Centuries ago, a man died in Alnwick Castle after climbing to the rooftop to spy on his cheating wife. Although his body was buried, his ghost continued to haunt the town by bringing diseases and killing the livestock, giving him the nickname of the Alnwick Vampire.

Bamburgh Castle

Perched atop the stunning Bamburgh Beach is the haunted Bamburgh Castle. Supposedly, a young princess committed suicide by jumping off the cliff after her father sent the love of her life overseas for seven years. Every year, you can see the princess wearing her pink dress (that her father gave her) wandering through the castle. 

Dunstanburgh Castle

As you walk along the cliffs among the Dunstanburgh Castle ruins, you’ll come across a few spooky sightings. The builder of the castle, Thomas Plantagenet, was executed on the property; his ghost has been seen carrying around his dismembered head. Many visitors also confirm seeing the ghosts of Margaret of Anjou (wife of King Henry VI) and Sir Guy the Seeker.

Edlingham Castle

The 14 th -century Edlingham Castle is also shrouded in mystery and buzzing with strange paranormal activity. Although the castle isn’t known for any specific ghost stories, visitors have complained about strange noises and mysterious lights coming from the castle at odd hours during the night. 

Where to Stay Near Northumberland Castles

If you plan to visit multiple castles during your trip to Northumberland , it’s worth spending a few nights in the region. The Schooner Hotel in Alnmouth is a 17 th -century inn that once hosted famous guests like Charles Dickens and King George III. But beware – the hotel is also known to be haunted by scary paranormal spirits!

For a more luxurious (and less creepy) stay in Northumberland, opt for the five-star Langley Castle Hotel instead. There’s an award-winning restaurant on-site, and the rooms are lavishly decorated, boasting some of the best views of the Northumbrian Valley. Plus, you’re more likely to get a good night’s sleep without the mysterious footfalls and whispers of spirits long passed!

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Review - Chillingham Castle - Our trip to the most haunted castle in England.

**We were kindly invited along in return for our honest review**

I have always loved Chillingham Castle and, as a bit of a history buff, I just love to hear the stories and imagine what life would have been like throughout the years. I am a huge fan of Howick Hall and the two families are linked together.

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Chillingham Castle has been owned by the same bloodline relating back to the Earl Greys in 1246, with various Kings and Queens visiting over the years, Chillingham Castle really does have some stories to tell.

Now owned and lived in by Sir Humphrey Wakefield bt and wife The Hon. Lady Wakefield. We actually had the pleasure of chatting with Sir Humphrey and it is clear to see how passionate he is about the castle.

I think out of all the other castles I have visited (quite a lot) Chillingham is probably one of my favourites, mainly because of the history. I actually read the guide book on the way home in the car and found it all fascinating. I can't believe some of the things that have been found here, such as the documents in the window slit. Amazing.

We arrived at Chillingham for 1pm and parked in the trees. We decided to take a walk through the forest down to the castle as it is such a lovely walk.

There is quite a lot to see here, I would highly recommend buying the guide book which is £2.50 and written by Sir Humphrey Wakefield himself If you follow the guide you won't miss anything out. Admissions is through the gift shop which has some amazing items for sale. Look out for the bats! The bat is the Wakefield family crest.

As you follow the one way system, which has been put in place due to Covid-19, there are plenty of fascinating rooms to explore.

The Still Room & Dungeons - No idea if it was a draft but the door in here kept opening and closing! This sent Elliot straight back outside as he has heard about the Chillingham ghosts.

Not to miss... The portrait of the Spanish witch and the last dog sled to be used in the antarctic

The Armoury - This is the pre covid entrance to the castle. you can still see into this room and will find many fascinating goodies to look at.

Medieval Courtyard - Wow, you must take a look around at the high walls which date back to the 12th,13th,14th centuries. Check out the steep steps that lead up to the Great hall, which originally went over the moat.

The Great Hall - What a fantastic room, make sure you look up at the beams. Not to miss... The giant Elephant. The boys had so many questions in this room and the steward was happy to assist, although they could have kept him there all day asking about stuff.

Edward I room - Edward I stayed in this room on two separate occasions. This section is the most ancient of the castle. Look out for the secret door.

King James I room - First of three rooms that were specially built to receive the King of Scotland. Make sure you check out the ceiling here.

We were very lucky to be given permission to go up to the roof to see the view, unfortunately due to covid it is not safe for the public to be passing each other on the stairs. You would normally go up before you go into the King James I room.

The Plaque room library - One of our favourite rooms. The boys made friends with the lovely steward, who took his time to share some stories with the boys and even let them take a sneak peek at some of the old maps from India He let the boys carefully look at some of the old books and followed us around on that floor to answer their questions and show them some rather interesting items. He had some interesting stories to tell about his life too. As home educators we really appreciate it when people take time out of there day to really show the boys a slice of history. So thank you!

The New Dining Room - Look out for the photo which shows the old rotten beams and the Victorian chimney that was built over the 1500s fireplace.

The Museum - Oh wow where do I start, what trinkets and goodies you will find in here. Look out for the Mammoth tooth, model hydroplane and to be honest just stop and look. You will find so many great things to look at.

The Chapel - In the 1100s this would have been the main room in the castles first tower, which was built over the prehistoric cave. Check out the windows.

The Minstrels hall - I love this room! Check out the huge fire, this would have been the room where the Minstrels would have played music to those dining. I could just stay in here all day. (Especially if the fire is on)

Berthele - The undercroft with some fascinating artefacts, check out the dinosaur teeth, and take a look at the mysterious door.

Torture Chamber - Take a look for yourself and see what you think. I found it rather interesting and the boys did too. I can see why some may find it a bit scary so maybe not for the faint hearted or the very young.

The Gardens - You can walk around the extensive grounds and explore, check out the urns and the statue of Poseidon. The current one way system takes you out into the garden, before visiting most of the rooms inside the castle.

The Lakes - You go through big heavy gates and through the woods to get to the lakes, maybe not the best for those less mobile or with pushchairs. Stunning scenery and the view over the lake is beautiful.

Once we had walked back from the lake we sat for 5 minutes and then headed to the shop, where the boys bought a few goodies such as pens, notebooks etc. There is a great range of products in the shop although we would have loved to have seen things like jams and maybe mead/wine etc.

I am sure you will have heard the many stories of the Chillingham ghosts, I will let you make your own mind up.

Important info

Toilets are open

Food is takeaway only from the summerhouse on the South Lawn.

Face coverings are a must inside the castle.

No guided tours at present, due to Covid-19

Ghost tours have been suspended until further notice

Limited disabled access due to uneven floors and steep spiral staircases

No dogs allowed in the castle or the gardens except for assistance dogs

Free parking, follow the signposts. For disabled parking go down to the castle, you can park on the side of the road, closer to the castle.

Ticket Info

Adults - £10.50

Concessions - £9.50

Children (u16) - £6.50

Family - 2 Adults & 3 Children £26

Sat nav - NE66 5NJ

Stay at the Castle

You can also stay at the castle all year round, with rooms available in the castle itself or in the nearby coach house.You also gain free access to the castle and grounds. (No Access to the castle during winter)

All in all Chillingham Castle is great value for money and you will without a doubt be amazed at how much history it tells.

Most of my content is brought to you completely free of charge, with almost no advertising or sponsorship. If you like what you see, why not consider buying me a coffee?

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“The great, perhaps the greatest, icon of British Natural History”

Simon Schama in ‘A History of Britain’.

Wild Cattle

Chillingham offers an outstanding day out in one of the most beautiful parts of the North East of England. Close to Alnwick, Berwick and the Northumberland Coast, it has stunning views across Northumberland and the Cheviots, a beautiful place to visit at any time of year.

First, you should come and see our truly wild Wild Cattle, these remarkable cattle are completely untamed. They have never been touched by human hand. They live wild in the Park all year round and receive no veterinary treatments. They thrive in the majestic historic landscape of Chillingham Park.

Don’t miss a visit Chillingham Castle, “England’s most haunted castle” for lunch or coffee. Brace yourself for a terrifying tour of a real 12th Century garrison castle; fearsome torture chamber, eerie dungeon and magnificent state rooms. If you’re really brave, join a nerve-jangling night time ghost tour. Or if you prefer, take a stroll through the beautiful formal gardens, the work of Royal garden designer Sir Jeffrey Wyatville, fresh from his majestic triumphs at Windsor. 

Ticket Prices

Specialist Tours

Latest News

The Park and new Pavilion are now open. Four tours daily. You can now book your tour for any day of the 2024 season. The Wild Cattle Pavilion is open seven days a week 9.30am – 3.30pm

Tours of the Wild Cattle in their Medieval Park

There are four tours a day, seven days a week. Visitors assemble at the Wild Cattle Pavilion where they will be met by the Warden. Visitors will then be transported via a Land Rover and trailer along a country track to the start of the Cattle Tour. There will be a short walk from the transport to enter the Cattle Park where they will be able to view the Wild Cattle and learn about their fascinating history.

Please note that the trailer is not well sprung and not recommended for the elderly, injured or pregnant. If you have any concerns, please do follow in your own car.

We recommend that visitors pre-book their cattle tour via the Book Now page on this website. Each tour will be limited to only 20 people, so at busy times you may be disappointed if you dont pre-book.

You can buy joint tickets covering a tour of the Wild Cattle and a visit to Chillingham Castle. There is no direct access from Chillingham Castle to the Cattle Park.

Specialist Tours: Photography and “Up close and personal”.

We are now offering specialist photography tours at a cost of £100 for a maximum of 2 people. Larger groups can be accommodated (£50/head, max 5) but only outside normal tour times i.e. post 4.30pm or out of season.

But dont worry if photography is not your thing, we are now offering you the opportunity to get in amongst the Cattle, camera or not, just as Robson Green did. We call these the “Up close and personal tours”, because that is just what they are.

For these tours, the Warden will take you in the Polaris 4×4 right in amongst the Cattle, which you cannot do on foot, and to the far flung parts of the Park.

We can host educational visits from primary school stage right through to further education.

We host specialist groups and welcome farmers, vets and other interested parties from the UK and around the world.

Please contact the Warden on 01668 215250 to find out more and book a specialist tour.

Important Notes:

• Dogs, including guide and assistance dogs, are not allowed into the Cattle Park. This is because the responses of the cattle to dogs of any size can be unpredictable.
• Wheelchairs can access the new Pavilion but are not suitable in the Cattle Park due to the unevenness of the terrain. However, our warden will be happy to show you around in the Polaris, if suited, at his discretion and with a minimum of 24 hours notice. Please note this vehicle can only accommodate two visitors.
• Sensible footwear is required. Wellies, walking boots or just some ordinary trainers will do in dry weather. PLEASE BE AWARE that we cannot under any circumstances take visitors into the park wearing open sandals, perforated shoes, flip-flops etc. as the disinfectant used in the foot bed at the entrance to the park is not suitable for contact with skin.

For directions, please visit our Find Us page.

CWCA Chillingham Wild Cattle Association, Chillingham, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 5NP Tel: 01668 215 250

Copyright © 2008 – 2024 The Chillingham Wild Cattle Association. All rights reserved.

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Suzdal and Vladimir tour

Suzdal is one of the most visited "Golden Ring" Russian town. Being a powerful city in the past, it preserves the layout and the spirit of a typical old Russian town.

Suzdal used to be one of the major cities of Medieval Russia and it has survived in virtually its original form. There are no modern tower blocks there, instead the center features vast flowering meadows and a river. It is the perfect place for taking photos, tasting traditional food, drinking mead or just breathing fresh air. There is a big choice of hotels in the town - from low-budget hostels to four-star hotels (which are still very inexpensive, compared to Moscow and other European capitals). The main highlights of a visit to Suzdal are:

Suzdal's Kremlin with its Cathedral for the 13th century

The Saviour Monastery of Saint Euphymius with its impressive fortress-like walls, picturesque location and colourful murals.

The Museum of Wooden Architecture , where you can take a look inside restored peasant houses.

... and the town itself with its numerous churches, wooden houses, hills and river.

Suzdal is a centre of mead production. Mead is a low-alcoholic drink made with honey and is one of the oldest kinds of beverage in the world. There is also a pottery in the town, and souvenir-hunters can buy woolen shawls, nesting dolls and wood and ceramic knick-knacks at reasonable prices.

Car or minivan transfer from Moscow to Suzdal and back is also an option. It takes 3-4 hours one way.

Send us a request!

Stay With Us

Stay at historic chillingham castle.

Before you book a stay here, please note that The Castle & Tearoom will be closed for the winter season from Monday 4th November through to Easter 2025. 

There will be no access to the castle for guests staying in our self catering apartments during our closed season. However, the gardens, grounds & lake will still be accessible.

Ghost tours and Hunts run all year round. To book, please visit the ‘Ghosts’ section.

Holiday here in one of our self catering apartments at any time of the year, with just one person, a couple or a group, in this totally original and unspoiled medieval castle and its historic Coaching Rooms.  It is different, intriguingly beautiful and perfectly comfortable too, with plenty of interest in the region!

There’s free access to the stunning castle grounds, with a glorious and secluded setting in Northumberland’s famously beautiful countryside.  Chillingham Castle offers holidaymakers the rare and disappearing experience of staying in a true medieval fortress.

There are some fine apartments to let in the actual castle and in the castle’s near-at-hand Coaching Rooms, where the coaches and horses were once kept.  The castle offers the opportunity for both small and large groups to enjoy a most memorable holiday.  Northumberland is a place of great natural beauty, particularly the spectacular beaches of the nearby coastline.

The castle is surrounded by lawns and formal gardens, including a topiary garden, with interesting clipped hedges. The woodland can be carpeted with flowers in the spring and early summer, making the walk to the lake an extraordinary experience.  The extensive grounds are accessible to holiday makers.

Each self catering apartment has its own very individual character, with many period features retained. Interesting antiques and works of art furnish these historic apartments. Some rooms have views over the wooded valley and stream, whilst others overlook the arched courtyard and parkland beyond.

All Apartments are strictly Non-Smoking and pets are NOT allowed in the apartments, castle or grounds.

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15 of the most amazing Romanov palaces in Russia

1. Grand Peterhof Palace (Leningrad Region)

The Grand Peterhof Palace is a true gem of Peterhof, a complex of palaces and gardens near St. Petersburg. Here, in Peterhof, known also as “the Russian Versailles,” Russian Emperors had their country residence. Nowadays, the palace is a museum, which contains over 3,500 exhibits: paintings, porcelain, fabrics, furniture, and personal belongings of the Russian rulers. The Peterhof complex also consists of several minor palaces. In one of them - the Farm Palace - the first elevator in Russia was installed.

2. Winter Palace (St. Petersburg)

The main residence of the Russian Emperors, the Winter Palace impresses by its sheer vastness. It has 1,057 rooms, 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows and 117 staircases. Its halls are decorated with 176 sculptures. Today, the Winter Palace is the main home to the Hermitage Museum. Within its wall visitors may find millions of exhibits from the prehistoric era to our days, including well-known works by Leonardo da Vinci, Henri Matisse and Rembrandt.

3. Terem Palace (Moscow)

Built in 1636, the Terem Palace in the Moscow Kremlin combines elements of Italian and ancient Russian architecture. The interior walls were decorated with bizarre ornaments and heraldic patterns and drawings on biblical themes. Although the original decorations have not been preserved, a 19th century restoration was tastefully carried out with all respect to the 17th century style.

4. Livadia Palace (Crimea)

The southern residence of the royal family, the Livadia Palace became known to the whole world when Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill met there in February 1945 for the Yalta Conference, where the post-war shape of Europe was discussed.  

5. Catherine Palace (Leningrad Region)

Three Empresses - Catherine I, Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine II - spared no money and effort to make it one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. The most remarkable feature in the Catherine Palace is the Amber Room, whose panels and decorations are made of amber. Presented to the Russian Tsar Peter I by Frederick Wilhelm I of Prussia, it was lost without a trace during World War II. Now visitors may see a restored version of the masterpiece.

6. Gatchina Palace (Leningrad Region)

The Gatchina Palace was, probably, the favorite vacation spot for the royal family. One of its most interesting places is a secret passage with numerous corridors and hidden rooms. The passage allowed residents to not only discreetly leave the Palace, but also to quickly move between the palace wings.  

7. Tsaritsyno Palace (Moscow)

The Tsarytsino Palace in the south of Moscow has a sad history. Designed as Catherine II’s residence, it was never lived in. For centuries the palace remained abandoned and in the late 20th century was in terrible condition. Only after a major restoration in 2005-2007, it became the amazing palace its architects had envisioned.

8. Vorontsov Palace (St. Petersburg)

Famous Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed this palace at the request of statesman Mikhail Vorontsov. Huge and luxurious, it became an unbearable burden for Vorontsov, and he was forced to deliver it to the state. In the late 18th century the palace was given by the Emperor Pavel I to Knights of Malta, who added to the main building the Malta Capella. Nowadays, the palace is a home to the Suvorov Military School, visiting it is not easy. However, a tourist can always attend an organ music concert at the Capella.    

9. Tauride Palace (St. Petersburg)

The palace was built on the orders of Empress Catherine II as a reward to Prince Grigory Potemkin for the successful accession of Taurida (Crimea) in 1783. The Tauride Palace had a significant impact on the Russian architecture. After its appearance, nobles started to model their own country estates on it.

10. Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (Moscow)

The wooden palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich with 270 rooms decorated with paintings and carvings was built in 1667 without using any fastening materials, nails or hooks. Demolished in the 18th century, it was reconstructed in the 1990s to amaze all lovers of Russian wooden architecture.  

11. Mikhailovsky Palace (St. Petersburg)

Designed by the Italian architect Carlo Rossi, the Mikhailovsky Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in St. Petersburg. The palace amazed not only city residents, but foreigners too. Having heard so much about it, British King George IV even asked the Russian Emperor Nicholas I to send him a model of the palace as a gift.

12. Grand Kremlin Palace (Moscow)

Finished in 1849, the Grand Kremlin Palace today is the main palace in the country and serves as the official residence of the President of Russia. It is possible to visit the Palace, but this is not an inexpensive pleasure. A two-hour excursion costs over $80.

13. Imperial Palace (Tver)

Built in the middle of the 18th century, the Imperial Palace in Tver served as a recreation place for the royal family, which travelled from St. Petersburg to Moscow and back. The building has been rebuilt and reconstructed many times and integrated elements of different architectural styles, including Baroque and Classicism.

14. Konstantin Palace (St. Petersburg)

The Konstantin Palace today is the business and cultural center of St. Petersburg. Major events such as Russia-EU and G20 Summits take place here now.

15. Petrov Palace (Moscow)

With the construction of the Petrov Palace Catherine II celebrated Russia’s victory over the Ottoman Empire (1768—1774). During the devastating fire of 1812, Napoleon moved from the Kremlin to the Petrov Palace, which soldiers turned into an impregnable fortress. Nowadays, the palace is shared between a museum and hotel.

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• Must-see palaces of St. Petersburg
• Tsaritsyno: The idyllic palace park where Muscovites escape the big city (PHOTOS)
• How did the Soviets use noble estates and palaces?

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