Local Attractions | Quail's Nest Cottage

Northumberland's visitor attractions near Edlingham

Edlingham Castle (English Heritage)

Freely open to the general public during daylight hours, Edlingham Castle is actually the ruined remains of a 14th Century fortified manor house. The original manor house of the 13th Century is probably concealed beneath the existing structure.

The earliest standing remains are those of the hall house, built c1300 by Sir William Felton, during a relatively peaceful time in Northumberland's history.

It was abandoned as a dwelling in the mid-17th Century and by the 1660s was being quarried for building stone. By the end of the 19th Century only the tower was still visible and excavation took place between 1978 and 1982.

St John the Baptist Church

St John the Baptist church is a medieval (11th Century) church situated next to Edlingham Castle. It is largely Norman, built between the late 11th and early 12th Century, with further building work carried out in the late 12th Century.

It features a rare Norman tunnel vault , circular columns, and capitals scalloped with bands of nail-head.

Edlingham residents care for both the church and the castle with dedication and ask that all visitors keep dogs on leads, pick up dog waste, and use the bin provided near the church gate. Thank you.

Alnwick & Alnwick Castle

Alnwick is a delightful, bustling, market town approximately 5 miles from Edlingham, dating back to cAD 600.

The infamous Alnwick Castle was home to the most powerful medieval, northern, baronial family, the Earls of Northumberland, and is now one of the homes of the Duke of Northumberland, and boasts The Alnwick Garden. It was made world-famous by the Harry Potter films, being used as Hogwarts.

The town centre remains remarkably unchanged and has a quaint, relaxed feel. Barter Books is a must-visit for any bibliophiles.

Cragside (National Trust)

Cragside is the jewel in the National Trust's northern crown. It is Britain's original smart home, being the first in the country to be powered only by hydro-electricity. Inventor and visionary, Lord Armstrong, and his wife, Lady Margaret, created the fantasy mountain landscape in the 19th Century.

Surrounding the magnificient house itself are many acres of beautiful gardens, including lakes, waterfalls, swathes of rhododendron, labyrinth, rock garden, towering trees, and a 6-mile Carriage Drive enabling visitors to tour the whole estate from the comfort of their car. Paths and marked walkways suit all abilities and timeframes.

Cragside is just a mile outside Rothbury, about 5 miles from Quail's Nest.