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Overview
The medieval clock tower that forms part of Northumberland’s legendary Bamburgh Castle can now be yours, complete with exclusive access to the castle grounds and panoramic views over Bamburgh beach and Holy Island.
Follow in the footsteps of royalty by making the fabled Bamburgh Castle your home
Crabtree & Crabtree is delighted to be able to offer a second property within the storied ancient walls of Bamburgh Castle, the three-bedroom Clock Tower. Perched 150 feet above the white sands of Bamburgh Beach on a craggy volcanic plinth, Bamburgh Castle is one of the country’s best-preserved castles and commands sweeping views across the Northumberland coast to the east, the Cheviot Hills in the west and Bamburgh village and its world-famous cricket green to the south.
The Clock Tower, a restored 13th-century tower and turret built into the castle walls, has been transformed into a unique apartment by Bamburgh Castle’s owner, Francis Watson Armstrong. Formerly known as the Belle Tower, it was once adorned with a celebrated, 125-year-old William Potts clock that faced Bamburgh village. Legend has it that the clock’s chiming disturbed the late Lady Armstrong’s sleep, so she had it moved to the castle chapel in 1987.
Guests staying in the renovated Clock Tower are likely to enjoy undisturbed sleep and enjoy eye-popping views from its lofty open-plan living area on the second floor, where mullioned windows, and a line of internal windows, look out in multiple directions across the ocean, coastline and castle green. Soak up the views and ambiance of this castle abode from the comfort of the sitting room, with its inviting velvet sofas and armchairs, or from the rustic dining table that links it with the contemporary kitchen. The blend of ancient and new is a design thread that runs throughout this eclectic property, juxtaposing rich heritage fabrics with Aztec-inspired textiles, slick bathrooms with exposed stone walls and antique furniture with modern Pooky lamps.
Descending the staircase from the top of the Tower to the first floor brings you to the sumptuous master bedroom. Resplendent in deep Farrow & Ball crimson, it feels suitably regal with its mullioned windows and king-size bed adorned with tapestry-inspired Morris & Co fabrics. It also features an en-suite shower room and dainty powder room tucked away in a turret. Another opulent double bedroom and charming single room, daubed in striking teal and orange respectively and each complemented by rich Morris & Co fabrics, are located one floor down.
The three-storey Clock Tower boasts two entrances (one on the ground floor and another on the first floor) and a small, sheltered private courtyard for al fresco lunches and sundowners. Furthermore, guests enjoy complimentary admission to Bamburgh Castle’s staterooms during opening hours and the opportunity to enjoy the castle grounds once visitors have left.
Property details
Important
In keeping with many historic properties, the quirky layout of the accommodation is dictated by the Grade 1 status of the building and practicalities such as the complex plumbing. The apartment is over three levels with relatively narrow stairs with 37 steps from top to bottom. The main living area is at the top of the property up at least one flight of internal stairs from the first-floor front door. The bedrooms and bathrooms are split over the three levels and those staying in the ground floor bedrooms will need to go up and down stairs to access the shower room or WC facilities.
Due to the size and layout of the property, The Clock Tower is restricted to a maximum of four adults. Please read the below carefully as the layout may not suit all parties, in particular guests with reduced mobility or those with young children.
Ground floor
The ground floor main entrance is accessed through a small private courtyard and opens into a small access hallway with bench seat and hanging space.
Bedroom three with 3’ single bed, side table, peg rail with hanging space and chest of drawers. This bedroom has a view of the cricket green and a side aspect of the coast.
Bedroom two (two steps up from the lower hall) with 5’ king size bed, built in wardrobe, small cupboard with dressing table.
First floor
A second entrance from this level benefits from views across the castle and coastline. This opens onto a half landing.
Bedroom one with 5’ king size bed, side tables, in built wardrobe, chest of drawers and quirky desk / dressing area.
En suite shower room with walk in shower (rainforest head and separate mixer), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Separate small cloakroom with WC and basin.
Second floor
Open-plan living area with dining table (seats five) and seating area with one two-seater sofa, arm chair and two additional chairs, desk / reading area, TV with Freeview, DAB radio, wireless speaker, books and games. This room has magnificent far reaching views over the West Ward of the castle along the coast to Holy Island and across the iconic cricket pitch over the village to the Cheviot Hills beyond.
Kitchen with single oven with four ring induction hob, fridge with freezer box, Nespresso coffee machine, washing machine, 3/4 dishwasher and microwave. The kitchen is well-equipped with plenty of good quality china, glasses and cookware.
Family shower room with walk in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
The apartment has its own small private courtyard with outside dining space for six guests.
The beach is just a few minutes’ walk from the Tower.
There are a number of apartments within the Castle and guests are asked to be considerate to other residents when in the grounds. Picnics are not allowed in the grounds other than in a designated area. During Castle opening hours, guests should not be using any wheeled toys, bicycles, etc within the grounds and ball games are not permitted at any time.
Parking
There is no vehicular access to The Clock Tower other than unloading on arrival and loading on departure. Guests can park free of charge in car parks outside the Castle walls and access The Clock Tower on foot. A map will be provided on arrival that clearly marks temporary parking for loading and unloading along with car parks for longer term parking.
Electric Vehicle Charging
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
Babies & children
A travel cot and highchair are available on request. Please note due to the layout of the accommodation over a number of floors, the apartment is not well suited to families with young children.
Dogs
Regretfully The Clock Tower is not suitable for dogs.
Guest amenities
The beds are made up with high quality Egyptian cotton bed linen, hypoallergenic duvets and pillows. A hairdryer is provided in both double bedrooms. Guest toiletries are provided along with bath sheets and hand towels.
Wi-Fi & Mobile coverage
Wi-Fi is available. There is adequate mobile coverage on most networks.
Heating
The property has oil fired central heating.
Guest privacy - important
Bamburgh Castle is a Grade I listed building which requires regular maintenance to ensure the upkeep of this historic landmark. Scheduled maintenance is usually carried out during normal working hours (typically 8.30am - 5.00pm) from Monday to Friday, although emergencies must be dealt with as they arise. We will endeavour to inform you separately in advance if there is any planned maintenance work to be undertaken adjacent to The Clock Tower.
The Clock Tower is an integral part of Bamburgh Castle which is open to the public daily. Please click here to see the opening hours which vary depending upon the time of year. Guests should be aware that there will be members of the public in the Castle and grounds during opening times.
Complimentary entry to the Castle is included.
There are private functions including weddings held at the Castle throughout the year, which may include evening receptions on the battlements or in the Stables.
It is important to note that there are also events, including filming, taking place at the castle. Please click here for further information. Guests may attend outdoor concerts or events run by the castle free of charge, but tickets would have to be purchased for any concerts held in the Kings Hall or those run by outside agencies, outdoors.
Please contact us should you require further information or if you have any concerns.
Additional Accommodation
For guests looking to holiday together, Bamburgh Castle Holiday Cottages also offer Neville Tower sleeping 4 in a separate castle apartment. Located in Bamburgh village, there are: Grove House sleeping 4, Kingfisher Cottage sleeping 2+2, Rose Cottage sleeping 4, Curlew Cottage sleeping 2+2, Sandhills sleeping 3 and St Aidan's Lodge sleeping 4, and Windley sleeping 4.
Location
With friendly local shops, quaint tea-rooms, cosy pubs and restaurants on the doorstep as well as miles upon miles of stunning white sands within walking distance it is part of the reason visitors return to this area year-after-year, and why it remains one of the most popular beach destinations in England.
For dining-out, you can enjoy fantastic fresh seafood at The Potted Lobster located in the heart of the village; the Castle Hotel for a hearty pub meal and pretty beer garden; or the Victoria Hotel if you like great pub food and some chat next to the fire. Alternatively try The Wyndenwell for an ice-cream, cake and coffee stop, or the Copper Kettle, a characterful little tea-room serving a selection of freshly baked scones and light-bites. For something a bit more informal en-route to the beach, The Hut sits on the edge of the sand dunes for a delicious bacon butty or a kipper bun.
For provisions, The Pantry is a super deli selling meats, cheeses, preserves, freshly baked bread and smoked fish as well as lots of naughty puddings which all come from renowned local suppliers across the area. For picnics or lunches on-the-go, they will prepare sandwiches on request along with freshly ground coffee, or can arrange for food hampers full of gourmet goodies to be made up for your arrival at your holiday home. R Carter has been the village butchers for 125 years serving only the finest locally produced meat, homemade pies and award winning bacon which is cured and smoked on the premises. The nearest Co-op supermarket can be found in nearby Seahouses.
Activities
Standing on a quite spectacular 180 foot high basalt crag, the skyline is dominated by the dramatic outline of Bamburgh Castle from miles around. A visit to the Castle will allow you to experience over two thousand years of fascinating history with dark tales of royal rebellion, turbulent battles, and stories of powerful legend and folklore. The Grace Darling Museum offers a wonderful insight into the life of this courageous young woman who was written into the history books in 1838 when she risked her life to row a boat out in treacherous seas to rescue survivors of the luxury steam ship Forfarshire.
As well as boasting its own magnificent Castle, the village is home to the Bamburgh Golf Club - an 18 hole golf course with outstanding views towards Lindisfarne, the Farne Islands and the Cheviot Hills. Rated by Golf World Magazine as ‘quite possibly the most beautiful and beautifully situated golf course in all England’ this tricky links course will both challenge and delight. You will also find tennis courts in the village which can be hired for a nominal fee.
The beach at Bamburgh comprises glorious curves of white sand backed by deep sand dunes, rocky outcrops and dramatic shorelines. and is a wonderful spot for families, walkers and water sports enthusiasts. Surfing and windsurfing is highly rated here with waves naturally breaking to the left and right as a result of the numerous sandbars along its length, and while there is no lifeguard cover on this section, it is seen as a safe spot for swimming. Alternatively, six miles south of Bamburgh, you will find excellent watersports on the golden sands of Beadnell Bay where you can launch boats, rent surfboards, wetsuits and bikes or try your hand at kitesurfing, windsurfing, sea canoeing and waterskiing with accredited instructors.
For young explorers, pack a fishing net along with a sand bucket and enjoy a spot of rock-pooling for tiny shore crabs, starfish or periwinkles at Bamburgh Lighthouse at Harkness Rocks - named by Countryfile as one of the top ten rockpooling areas in Britain. Here you can spend many happy hours dabbling in the plunge pools before taking a gentle wander back along the beach to the village.
The whole area is bursting with things to do here, dotted by a trail of castles and fortifications interspersed with pretty seaside villages all the way up and down the coast. Cross the causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to trace the legend of St. Cuthbert, take a boat trip from Seahouses to the outstanding Farne Islands nature reserve and seabird sanctuary, head to Craster to sample their legendary oak smoked kippers, visit the beautiful gardens at Howick Hall, or head inland to experience the medieval splendour of Alnwick Castle with its fantastic child-friendly activity programme inspired by the wizardly magic and broomstick antics of Harry Potter.
Walking and cycling in this area is a delight with an abundance of trails and waymarked routes suitable for all ages and abilities. Take a four mile circular walk from Bamburgh to Budle Bay, where you can experience amazing sunsets over the bay in early evening, or follow the Coast and Castles circular, a dog-friendly stretch involving a moderate walk of 8.5 miles taking in both coast and country. For cyclists, there are family routes, leisure routes, and mountain biking trails with everything from easy coastal stretches to high energy treks in the vast wilderness of the Northumberland National Park which can be easily accessed from Wooler.
C&C experiences
We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.
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Children and families
Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.
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Fishing
Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.
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Historic houses and castles
With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.
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Wildlife
Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.
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Walking
From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.
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Golf
There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.
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Adventure Sports
If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.
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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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Ancestral history research
Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.
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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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Reviews
"Thank you for your support before and during our stay. We enjoyed it immensely and found the experience to be unique."
Mr Sadler"We wanted to let you know how very much we enjoyed our stay in the Clock Tower apartment at Bamburgh Castle. We had 4 wonderful nights between Nov 28th and Dec 2nd - a particular treat for my husband who enjoyed every moment. We loved the quirky, but cosy apartment; the lovely views . The beautifully equipped kitchen had everything we needed; living room, bathrooms and bedrooms all delightful, warm and comfortable. Many thanks for all your kind assistance at Crabtree and Crabtree. I very much appreciated all the advice and help given to me during the booking process and later, receiving offers for delivery of goods, and the Chronicles magazine. All very useful. We also took the excellent advice of a member of your team who recommended us to book a meal at the Potted Lobster. They were right, Totally delicious. We were lucky enough to arrive while the 12 Days of Christmas exhibition was on. Beautiful. Loved it. Many thanks once more. We and our two friends had a wonderful break and would highly recommend it to anyone."
Ms McDonald"We had a fabulous stay in The Clock Tower and the welcome pack on arrival was most appreciated."
Mr Burn"We had a wonderful stay in the Clock Tower at Bamburgh Castle this summer. Having the grounds to yourself after hours is magical and getting up early to watch the sunrise from inside the walls of Bamburgh Castle is certainly something I won't forget. Another fabulous holiday from Crabtree and Crabtree. Now to find the spot for our next family adventure."
Mr Wanless"We’ve just returned from an amazing week at The Clock Tower - it’s a lovely property."
Ms Wake"We've had a very special week here in The Clock Tower - such a wonderful place to stay. Memorable trips to the Farne Islands and Holy Island and a great birthday meal at the Potted Lobster."
Brambley Family"We had a marvellous 4 days stay at The Clock Tower last week, it was everything we had hoped for and more. Very special and atmospheric making lots of nice memories for us. A little local info’ we had an exceptional dining experience at The Lord Crewe Arms, the seafood choice and quality was quite excellent."
Mr & Mrs Sheldrick"We had a great stay as always - many thanks"
Mr BrittenAvailability
- Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
- Due to the size and layout of the property, The Clock Tower is restricted to a maximum of four adults.
- Typical arrival day: Friday, with the additional option of Monday during low season only.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"With an exclusive grandstand view of Bamburgh’s iconic cricket pitch, enjoy a remarkable perspective over quintessential English village life."Francis, owner of Bamburgh Castle
