vertical portrait photo of dunstanburgh castle in northumberland england with a rocky shore foreground
large boulders on the north sea coast of Northumberland in England with the ruined remains of Dunstanburgh Castle in the background. Dunstanburgh Castle lies on a spectacular headland on the coast of Northumberland in northern England, between the villages of Craster and Embleton. The castle is the largest in Northumberland and the site shows traces of much earlier occupation before the erection of the castle was started in 1313 by the Earl of Lancaster. There is no road to it and the easiest approach is along a grassy path from Craster, a distance of about a mile. The site has its own natural defence in the mighty basaltic cliff and the curtain wall encloses the rest. At the southeast corner is the Egyncleugh Tower, also known as Queen Margaret's Tower as she was said to have escaped from a siege by being lowered to the sea. The wall west from there gives way about half-way along its length to the Constable's Tower then reaches the main entrance set between two gigantic semi-circular towers used as the Keep. A lot of the structure survives in this area and it is possible to climb the stairs in one of the towers where the overall view is wonderful. At one time it was possible to visit a reputed dungeon and the excitement of climbing down was increased by the fact that the custodian at that time was a Craster man with a hook in place of one hand and he used to hang his oil-lamp on the hook whilst he related the history. The wall continues from the Keep, turns along the west side past John o' Gaunt's gateway (a later addition) to the Lilburn Tower and the adjoining postern gate. It then goes along the north side till it reaches the great cliff where it is not needed. Another section goes along the east side till it returns to the Egyncleugh Tower. Like all good old castles, this one has its ghost known by the name of Sir Guy the Seeker and one version of the story tells of him trying to help a damsel in distress and failing to choose to use a bugle over his sword
Size: 4216px × 5898px
Photo credit: © Michael Sayles / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ancient, bay, beach, castle, coast, creepy, dark, dunstanborough, dunstanburgh, dusk, embleton, england, english, evening, heritage, historic, historical, history, landscape, mood, moody, northumberland, northumbria, pebble, rocky, ruin, ruined, ruins, shore, tower, twilight
