Haughton Castle

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.

Haughton Castle
Coordinates55°03′02″N 2°07′48″W
Built13th century
OwnerBraithwaite family
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name: Haughton Castle
Designated20 October 1952
Reference no.1043027

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.

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]

Part of the castle served as a hospital during the Second World War.

It is now an oblong tower house and one of the best-preserved hall houses in the north of England. In 1888 it was acquired by the Cruddas family, and it is currently owned by the Braithwaite family.

Some commentators suggest it is the location for the traditional song "Waters of Tyne".

References
  1. Plantagenet Somerset Fry, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
  2. Historic England. "Haughton Castle (1043027)". National Heritage List for England.
  3. "Structures of the North East". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  4. "Keys to the Past: Haughton Castle". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
  5. Haughton Castle, Humshaugh


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