Welcome to Stately Homes

At first a 12th century stronghold, Chillingham became a fully fortified Castle in the 14th century. Steeped in the Nation's history it occupied a strategic position during Northumberland's bloody border feuds, often besieged and frequently enjoying the patronage of royal visitors.

In Tudor days there were additions but the underlying Mediaeval character, detail and strength have always been retained. The 18th and 19th centuries saw decorative landscape refinements and extravagancies including gardens and grounds laid out by Sir Jeffrey Wyatville, fresh from his triumphs at Windsor Castle.

Sir Humphry Wakefield's family has lived in the Lake District for 400 years, just half the length of time the Greys have lived at Chillingham - which they still do. Sir Humphry's wife, The Hon. Lady Wakefield, being their descendant of the daughter Lady Mary Grey.

Sir Humphry, educated at Cambridge University, was a Captain in the 10th Royal Hussars. He rebuilt another family castle in Ireland, Lough Cutra Castle, and has lived a life of adventure related to travel and the Arts. He is President of the Northumberland National Park Search and Rescue Team and of Northumbrian Musical Society, Avison Ensemble, amongst other county charitable concerns. He is Chairman of the Wilderness Trust and Director of the Tree of Life Foundation.

Sir Humphry and the Hon. Lady Wakefield have two sons and a daughter who are frequent visitors along with their many friends. For more information, visit their Website.

The Gardens and Grounds:

The Italian Garden - A most rare survival from 1828, by Royal garden designer Sir Jeffrey de Wyatville. The urns and statues are cheap modern composite copies but help the atmosphere of originality. The famous herbaceous border is the longest in Northern England. The far wall, 15 feet thick, is a jousting grandstand from ancient days.

Woodland Walks - as you walk to the lake you will see, according to season, drifts of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells and an astonishing display of rhododendrons.

The Lake - The beautiful lake fringes the park; often you can see the famous Chillingham Wild Cattle in the distance. Badger, fox and deer may be seen, with duck, fish and frogs to the bullrushes. Wonderful trees, the finest in the country before the recent storms.

Opening Times - 2010:

Summer:
Easter - 31st October: Sunday - Friday, 12 noon - 5 pm
Closed: Saturdays

Winter:
November - April: Groups/coach tours by prior arrangement
All function activities available.

Admission Prices - 2010:

Adult - £7
Child (under 16yrs) - £3.50
Child (under 5yrs) - £1
Concession - £5.50

Groups (10+):
Adult - £6
Concession - £5
Tour Guide - £25.

Available for weddings, corporate hospitality, celebrations, ghost tours, banquets and private functions year round.

Functions, Weddings and Accommodation:

Grand balls can last till dawn, while Dinner parties with only candles and fires to light them are of eternity. Archery competitions, weddings, anniverseries, celebrations, lectures, cart driving, any event large or small can be compellingly arranged. For further details, Click Here.

Chillingham Castle offers something quite extraordinary as a venue for a Wedding Ceremony and/or Reception, where The Great Hall (which is licensed for civil ceremonies) will transport you back in time, with its stone flagged floor, armour and armoury, heavy wooden tables and tapestries. As well as conventional weddings they have even had a number of themed weddings, such as medieval, Victorian and even Bollywood.

The arcaded and cloistered Courtyard, still original in every way, will add an ambience that is surely unrivalled. Your guests will be greeted on the main Castle steps, and then escorted either to the Minstrel's Hall for reception drinks around the log fires or out into the gardens. The ceremony will take place in the Great Hall. Photographs are usually taken in the Courtyard or in the extensive gardens.

You can holiday at any time of the year in this genuine medieval castle with free access to the stunning castle grounds. In a glorious and secluded setting in Northumberland's famously beautiful countryside, Chillingham Castle offers holidaymakers the unbelievable experience of staying in a medieval fortress.

Part of the castle and the coach house have been converted into comfortable holiday apartments, offering the opportunity for a memorable holiday. Within a few miles of the coast and being in close proximity to several golf courses, Chillingham is ideally situated for a unique holiday, with fishing, golf and stately home visits.