Ruins of Cartington Castle

Ruins of Cartington Castle is a fortified manor house, with construction spanning the 14th and early 15th centuries. Subsequent alterations and extensions occurred in the late 16th or early 17th century. The castle suffered partial demolition following a siege in 1648, after which the hall range and north-east tower were remodelled. It fell into ruin early in the 19th century and was then subject to excavation, repairs, and some restoration in 1887 by C.C. Hodges for Lord Armstrong. The structure is built of squared stone.

The castle’s plan comprises a hall range with a solar tower at its east end, a rectangular courtyard to the south, an east range dating from the 16th/17th centuries, and a medieval south-east turret. Traces remain of an outer courtyard to the north and a post-medieval walled orchard to the south.

The south elevation of the hall range features chamfered and moulded plinths, and a projecting semi-octagonal stair turret with chamfered setbacks and loops. A moulded ground-floor doorway has been partly restored, and a 16th/17th-century door has been inserted on the first floor. A 16th/17th-century stair projection is visible on the far right. Scattered fenestration includes three large 2-light windows from 1887, utilising old materials but not always in their original positions. The outer walls of the range stand only to first-floor level, displaying several chamfered doorways and loops; a large flying buttress is visible on the north side. The tower’s basement contains three barrel-vaulted chambers and a well shaft; the eastern of three rooms beneath the hall retains part of its segmental vault. A wall connecting the tower and hall stands to a height of three storeys. Original features within include doorways, fireplaces, and stairs, notably a full-height newel stair within the turret.

The east wall of the courtyard stands to first-floor level, with an inserted 16th/17th-century doorway and window. The outer walls of the east range are ruined. The south-east turret features a barrel-vaulted chamber and a projection incorporating a first-floor garderobe. The 2-metre high south wall is a post-medieval reconstruction, except for traces of a tower, perhaps originally a gatehouse, at the west end. The 17th-century west wall includes a central gateway with rusticated piers, the southern retaining part of its moulded cap. Within the courtyard, remnants of a 16th/17th-century staircase leading to a first-floor hall range are visible, alongside the foundations of a demolished range of similar date.

Cartington Castle was originally built for the Cartington family (receiving a licence to crenellate in 1441). It later passed to the Radcliffes and the Widdringtons through marriage; Sir Edward Widdrington briefly held the castle for the King during the 1648 siege. A detailed description can be found in the Northumberland County History XV, pages 375-80 (1940) by H.L. Honeyman.