Harbottle Castle, Coquetdale, Northumberland

Harbottle Castle, Coquetdale, Northumberland

Harbottle Castle, at the western end of a line of strongholds in Coquetdale, was in a position of importance in the defence of the Border. The castle is sited about eight miles from the frontier and guarded the passes into England through the Cheviots. Today it is in a hopelessly ruinous and overgrown condition.

The ruins of Harbottle stand on the high castle mound within a loop of the coquet and overlooking the village it formerly protected.

The castle we see today was built by the Umfraville Lords of Redesdale in the 12th century when they moved the centre of their power here from Elsdon.

Location: Harbottle, Northumberland
OS sheet 80 GR 93248