Thirlwall Castle

(S/E) Park in Greenhead, opposite the Church. Cross the main road and walk down the side of the village hall along Station Road to the gate at the end. Take the footpath to the right, signed the Pennine Way and Thirlwall Castle. At the path end, go through the wicket gate and turn right.

(1) Cross the footbridge and follow the Tipalt Burn upstream to Thirlwall Castle. Once you have looked around the ruins go back down the track and cross the footbridge over the Tipalt Burn following Hadrian’s Wall Path/Pennine Way up-hill past Holmhead. Continue along the footpath following the course of Hadrian’s Wall to the road.

(2) Turn right onto the road. You will pass Northumberland National Park picnic area at Walltown where there are visitor facilities. Continue on the road, turn right alongside the Carvoran Roman Army Museum car park. A waymarked stile in the stone wall near the Museum takes you on a path across the fields back towards Greenhead.

(3) When you come to the road (B6318 Military Road) turn right and walk along Hadrian’s Cycleway cycle path downhill into Greenhead. (S/E)

Getting there
From West on A69: Turn left off the A69 to Greenhead. *Turn right onto the B6318 (Military Road). After approximately 100 yards turn right and park on the road by the church.

From East on A69: Turn right off the A69 to Greenhead. * Follow as above.

From East on B6318 (Military Road): Pass Housesteads, Once Brewed and Cawfields heading towards Greenhead. Turn left after entering Greenhead and park on the road by the church.

Life in Northumberland between 1300 and 1600 was dangerous and unstable. Important families such as the Thirlwalls protected themselves against attack by building strong defensible homes like the one here at Thirlwall Castle.

More information at Northumberland National Park here.