Preston Tower
Unsupervised rooms laid out as a 14th century guard room and prison, plus a room about Flodden. A lot of tower for a few quid in an honesty box.
The short answer
Preston Tower is in Chathill (NE67 5DH). It's privately owned and a paid attraction. Every day of the year, 10am to 6pm or dusk if earlier (Historic Houses listing). Tickets: Adults £4, concessions £3.50, paid into an honesty box (Historic Houses listing). There's enough under a roof for a wet day.
What you actually see
Built between 1392 and 1399, it was one of 78 pele towers in Northumberland by the time of Agincourt in 1415. The tower's own site tells the story of Sir Guiscard Harbottle, killed fighting James IV at Flodden in 1513. Nikolaus Pevsner rated its masonry among the most spectacular medieval work in England.
Known for: Honesty box entry and a Flodden room.
Tips before you go
Take cash for the honesty box. It makes a short, cheap stop between Alnwick and Bamburgh.
Where Preston Tower is
Chathill, NE67 5DH. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗
Castles near Preston Tower
The Craster Arms, Beadnell
3.7 miles north-east as the crow flies · Beadnell · Stay or eat here
Dunstanburgh Castle
5.1 miles south-east as the crow flies · Craster · Paid entry
Bamburgh Castle
6.0 miles north as the crow flies · Bamburgh · Paid entry
Alnwick Castle
7.4 miles south as the crow flies · Alnwick · Paid entry
Chillingham Castle
7.6 miles west as the crow flies · Chillingham · Paid entry
Bondgate Tower
7.6 miles south as the crow flies · Alnwick · Outside only · Free
All 39 castles on the map · Things to do in Bamburgh and the north coast
Events at Preston Tower
- Nothing listed at Preston Tower in The Northumbrian Almanac right now. It is refreshed every week.
Questions people ask about Preston Tower
How much does it cost to visit Preston Tower?
Adults £4, concessions £3.50, paid into an honesty box (Historic Houses listing). Free for Historic Houses members.
When is Preston Tower open?
Every day of the year, 10am to 6pm or dusk if earlier (Historic Houses listing).
Is Preston Tower good for kids?
Unsupervised rooms laid out as a 14th century guard room and prison, plus a room about Flodden. A lot of tower for a few quid in an honesty box. Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes.
Is there parking at Preston Tower?
Free parking.
Are dogs allowed at Preston Tower?
Pet friendly, according to the Historic Houses listing.
Is there a café at Preston Tower?
None listed; there's a picnic area.
Is Preston Tower worth visiting on a rainy day?
Yes, there's enough under a roof to make it a decent wet-day option.
What is Preston Tower famous for?
Honesty box entry and a Flodden room.
Sources
All the castles
39 castles on a map
Open the map and filters →For the bairns
The printable passport
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