Haughton Castle
| Haughton Castle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 55°03′02″N 2°07′48″W / 55.05053°N 2.12988°W |
| Built | 13th century |
| Owner | Braithwaite family |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Haughton Castle |
| Designated | 20 October 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1043027 |
Haughton Castle is a privately owned country mansion and Grade I listed building, situated to the north of the village of Humshaugh on the west bank of the North Tyne.[1][2] It is around 5+1⁄2 miles (8.9 km) north of the market town of Hexham, Northumberland.
It was built originally in the 13th century as a tower house and enlarged and fortified in the 14th century.[3] At this time the castle was owned by Gerald Widdrington and, although the Widdringtons still owned it in the early 14th century, the Swinburns were living there.[4]
By the 16th century, the castle fell into ruin and disrepair, and it was attacked by Border reivers.[4] A survey of 1541 reported the roof and floors to be "decayed and gone".[5]
The property was acquired by the Smith family in about 1640,[3] but in 1715 a further survey stated the building to be ruinous.[6]
Significant alterations were carried out for the Smiths between 1816 and 1845, latterly by architect John Dobson to convert the ruin into a substantial mansion.[5] The Crawshaw family came into possession in 1862,[4] and a west wing was added for them by Anthony Salvin in 1876.[5] In the late 19th century it was acquired by the Cruddas family.[7]
Part of the castle served as a hospital during the Second World War.[8] It is currently owned by the Braithwaite family.[9]
Some commentators suggest it is the location for the traditional song "Waters of Tyne".[10]
References
- ^ Plantagenet Somerset Fry, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
- ^ Historic England. "Haughton Castle (1043027)". National Heritage List for England.
- ^ a b "Structures of the North East". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
- ^ a b c "Keys to the Past: Haughton Castle". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2007.
- ^ a b c Haughton Castle, Humshaugh
- ^ "Notices of Ruined Towers in Northumberland". 1715. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "The Comprehensive Gazetteer of England & Wales 1894-1895".
- ^ "Haughton Castle". Getty Images. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "Tory's executive homes plan for Northumberland facing opposition". Chronicle Live. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "Bonnie Northumbria Brass Band". Larch Music. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
External links