Wark Castle (Wark on Tweed)
A mound several metres high and a legend about a king and a dropped garter; not much standing, though.
The short answer
Wark Castle (Wark on Tweed) is in Wark on Tweed. It's privately owned and can only be seen from outside. Private land, but you can walk round part of the mound on public footpaths and the road at any time.
What you actually see
Walter Espec built it in 1136, the Scots destroyed it after a siege in 1138, and it was rebuilt between 1157 and 1161. James IV captured and partly destroyed it just before Flodden in 1513. Legend ties it to Edward III, the Countess of Salisbury's garter and the founding of the Order of the Garter.
Known for: The Order of the Garter legend.
Tips before you go
You need to be reasonably fit and watch for slips on the footpaths round the mound.
Where Wark Castle is
Wark on Tweed. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗
Castles near Wark Castle
Twizel Castle
4.7 miles north-east as the crow flies · Twizel, near Cornhill-on-Tweed · Outside only · Free
Etal Castle
6.3 miles east as the crow flies · Etal · Free to wander · Free
Duddo Tower
7.5 miles east as the crow flies · Duddo · Free to wander · Free
Ford Castle
7.5 miles east as the crow flies · Ford · Outside only · Free
Norham Castle
7.5 miles north-east as the crow flies · Norham · Free to wander · Free
Berwick Castle
14 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 Wark Castle
- Nothing listed at Wark Castle in The Northumbrian Almanac right now. It is refreshed every week.
Questions people ask about Wark Castle
How much does it cost to visit Wark Castle?
Free.
When is Wark Castle open?
Private land, but you can walk round part of the mound on public footpaths and the road at any time.
Is Wark Castle good for kids?
A mound several metres high and a legend about a king and a dropped garter; not much standing, though. Time needed: 30 minutes.
Can you take a pushchair to Wark Castle?
No. The parish says not all the paths are well maintained.
Is Wark Castle worth visiting on a rainy day?
Not really. Most of it is outdoors, so save it for a dry day.
What is Wark Castle famous for?
The Order of the Garter legend.
All the castles
39 castles on a map
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