Thirlwall Castle, Northumberland

 

Thirlwall Castle

 This evening, I am posting information on Thirlwall Castle, a romantic ruin situated near Greenhead and Gilsland and close to the line of Hadrian’s Wall. Actual location is about 20 miles NE of Carlisle in northern England.

It should be noted that the castle structure features masonry recycled from nearby Hadrian’s Wall.

This castle dates from the early 14th century and gave service as a  fortified home until the early 18th century, a period which covers the troubled and lawless times of the Border Reivers when strong defences and self-reliance were paramount.

The castle was originally fortified by John Thirlwall and stayed in the Thirlwall family through to its abandonment by Eleanor Thirlwall in the early 18th century. In 1738 the castle passed into the Swinburne family upon Eleanor Thirlwall’s marriage and subsequently to the Earl of Carlisle in 1748 upon sale of the Swinburne estate.

Collapses of masonry occurred in 1832 and 1982 . In 1999 management of the castle was transferred to the Northumberland National Park Authority.

There is free access to the castle ruins which can be reached via a 1.7 mile (2.8km) walk from Greenhead.

 

Thirlwall Castle

Thirlwall Castle

 

Thirlwall Castle

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