Etal Castle
A gatehouse and a big broken tower to peer into, plus grass for a picnic. About ten minutes of storming the walls before someone asks about ice cream.
The short answer
Etal Castle is in Etal (TD12 4TN). It's looked after by English Heritage and free to wander round. Open daily 10am to 5pm at the time of writing; winter hours not published, check before you go.
What you actually see
Robert Manners built it around 1341 under a licence from Edward III, to guard a ford over the River Till. In August 1513 James IV's Scottish army took it in the run-up to Flodden and at least partly wrecked it. The Joicey family own it and English Heritage looks after it.
Known for: Captured by James IV in the days before the Battle of Flodden.
Tips before you go
The shop and museum have shut, so bring snacks. It's quick, so pair it with Norham, Ford and the Heatherslaw Light Railway for a proper Ford and Etal day.
Where Etal Castle is
Etal, TD12 4TN. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗
Castles near Etal Castle
Ford Castle
1.6 miles south-east as the crow flies · Ford · Outside only · Free
Duddo Tower
2.2 miles north as the crow flies · Duddo · Free to wander · Free
Twizel Castle
3.6 miles north-west as the crow flies · Twizel, near Cornhill-on-Tweed · Outside only · Free
Norham Castle
5.3 miles north as the crow flies · Norham · Free to wander · Free
Wark Castle (Wark on Tweed)
6.3 miles west as the crow flies · Wark on Tweed · Outside only · Free
Berwick Ramparts (Elizabethan Town Walls)
9.6 miles north-east as the crow flies · Berwick-upon-Tweed · Free to wander · Free
All 39 castles on the map · Things to do in Berwick and Holy Island
Events at Etal Castle
- Nothing listed at Etal Castle in The Northumbrian Almanac right now. It is refreshed every week.
Questions people ask about Etal Castle
How much does it cost to visit Etal Castle?
Free.
When is Etal Castle open?
Open daily 10am to 5pm at the time of writing; winter hours not published, check before you go.
Is Etal Castle good for kids?
A gatehouse and a big broken tower to peer into, plus grass for a picnic. About ten minutes of storming the walls before someone asks about ice cream. Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes.
Is there parking at Etal Castle?
Car park on site.
Can you take a pushchair to Etal Castle?
Partly. The ground is grassy and uneven.
Are dogs allowed at Etal Castle?
On leads.
Is there a café at Etal Castle?
None; the castle shop and museum have closed.
Are there toilets at Etal Castle?
Seasonal toilets in the car park, run by the Ford and Etal Estate.
Is Etal Castle worth visiting on a rainy day?
Not really. Most of it is outdoors, so save it for a dry day.
What is Etal Castle famous for?
Captured by James IV in the days before the Battle of Flodden.
Sources
All the castles
39 castles on a map
Open the map and filters →For the bairns
The printable passport
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