Naworth Castle

Naworth Castle is a castle and country house situated in Brampton, Cumberland. The origins of the castle likely date to the late 13th century, with the first documented reference appearing in 1323. A license to crenellate (defend with battlements) was granted in 1335 to Ranulph de Dacre. Significant additions and alterations were made around 1520 by Thomas Lord Dacre, and further modifications occurred in 1602, evidenced by the dated rainwater head bearing the initials W.H. for Lord William Howard. The 3rd Earl of Carlisle commissioned a music gallery and screen from Vanburgh, and Vanburgh may have been involved in work on the kitchen offices. Later, in the 19th century, C.H. Tatham undertook work for the 5th Earl, and Salvin restored the north and east ranges following a fire in 1844.

The castle is constructed primarily of calciferous and red sandstone, with lead and slate roofing, and stone chimney stacks. Originally comprising a tower house (Dacre Tower) and a south curtain wall, the castle was expanded to include hall and chapel ranges, featuring a north-east angle gate tower (Lord William Howard's Tower), all altered substantially in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Morpeth Tower was added to the hall in 1845, and 18th and 19th century ranges, including the Stanley Tower of 1881, were constructed to the west and south.

The east range, a two-story structure with nine bays, is flanked by three-story corner towers with battlemented parapets. It contains small, square-headed mullioned windows with square leaded panes, while the courtyard elevation presents larger round-headed mullioned windows with diamond leaded panes. A large, 16th-century pointed arch within the south curtain wall, featuring a recessed chamfered surround, iron studded gates, and arms of Lord William Howard above, provides access to the large courtyard.

The north range incorporates the two-story, two-bay Morpeth Tower, and a hall of two stories and nine bays features a raised courtyard entrance with carved stone panels displaying the Dacre arms. Mullioned windows, both square and round-headed, are accented by diamond leaded panes. The west range, a three-story, six-bay structure initially serving as kitchens and servants’ quarters, is now let as flats.

The interior includes a wood-panelled library and other panelled rooms designed by C.J. Ferguson. A painted gesso overmantel panel depicting the Battle of Flodden is the work of Burne-Jones and Sir E. Boehm, dating to 1882. The hall suffered damage from the 1844 fire but retains a large 16th-century fireplace with a segmental head and a wooden hammer beam roof installed by Salvin in 1845. Lord William Howard's tower is supported by ribbed arches crossing the walls. His chamber contains a timber ceiling, circa 1350, from Kirkoswald Castle, exhibiting moulded beams, bosses, and flowing tracery panels. A screen from Lanercost Priory, featuring crocketed ogee panels, is incorporated into the oratory, alongside a German painting from 1514 depicting the Flagellation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. The Dacre Tower retains an iron yett on its ground floor.