Our kings of the castles
NORTH EAST IS PROUD HOME TO THREE OF UK’S MOST POPULAR CASTLES
THE North East is home to three of the UK’s 12 most popular castles, according to a new poll.
Durham, Bamburgh and Raby are now in the running to take the coveted title of best castle in the UK.
The famous landmarks were chosen by TripAdvisor offshoot Holiday Lettings as three of the final 12 competitors in an online poll.
There is stiff competition among the contenders with the likes of Edinburgh and Windsor castles all vying for the title.
Bamburgh Castle, in Northumberland, is currently second in the polls – behind Lincoln Castle – with 19% of the vote.
Durham Castle stands at third position with 13% of the total votes, and Raby Castle, near Staindrop in Teesdale, is fifth with 6%.
The North East is famous for its historic castles, partly due to its close proximity to the Scottish borders, with Northumberland alone home to more than 40.
So it’s perhaps no surprise that the region accounts for a quarter of the list – but there are still some iconic North East castles missing.
One notable omission is Alnwick Castle – famous to all fans of the Harry Potter films, but with a rich history brimming with drama and intrigue, from a gunpowder plotter to medieval England’s most celebrated knight, Harry Hotspur.
Also missing is the magnificently preserved Warkworth Castle, the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh, near Craster, and Newcastle Castle the medieval fortress in the heart of m modern day city centre.
Voting ends at midnight on J June 20 with the building r receiving the most votes crowned ‘The UK’s Most Popular Castle 2017’.
Organisers have put together a handy potted history for each competitor.
Of Bamburgh, it said: “This i iconic northern castle rightly claims its title of the King of Castles. Sitting atop a rocky
outcrop, it reigns over coast and countryside.
“Once the capital of Northumbria, it was home to Anglo-Saxon royalty before playing a pivotal role in the wars of the Roses.”
The description for Durham reads: “Durham Castle is unique. Not a building frozen in time, it’s a castle which has adapted to events over the last 1000 years and today continues to be at the heart of a community.
“From the beautiful Norman Chapel to the impressive 13th century Great Hall and the grand Tudor Gallery, it’s no surprise that along with the cathedral, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
And Raby Castle is described as “one of the most impressive intact castles in England”.
Visit https://blog.holidaylettings.co.uk/voteuks-popular-castle/ to vote