Where Margaret Tudor gave birth to a royal grandmother

Stone from the derelict medieval castle was used in the building of a 17th-century manor house. The mansion was later replaced in 1829 by a two-storied five-bayed house designed by architect John Dobson. The house is protected with Grade II listed building status.

The Umfraville family built the present castle around 1160 at the request of King Henry II on land awarded to them following the Norman Conquest. The Scots took it in 1174 and rebuilt it more strongly, while Robert the Bruce captured it in the 1310s. It served as a residence for the Warden of the Middle Marches and was used as a prison before becoming royal property in 1546.

In 1515, Margaret Tudor, the sister of King Henry VIII, lived here with her second husband, Archibald Douglas. Their daughter was born within these walls and would eventually become the grandmother of King James I and VI of England. Repairs were made throughout the 16th century, including a new gatehouse and a tower built by Sir John Forster.

It is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument managed by the Northumberland National Park Authority. Today, only earthworks and some standing masonry remain. Visitors can enter the site for free to see what remains of the medieval structure overlooking the River Coquet.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons