Location: village Brancepeth, 5 miles South- West of the city of Durham Map
Constructed: 14th century
Official website
Brancepeth Castle is a medieval citadel that stands in village Brancepeth, 5 miles South- West of the city of Durham in the Durham County of United Kingdom. Brancepeth Castle was originally constructed by the Normans in the 14th century. At this site, there were a number of different buildings. The first was a Norman castle built by the Bulmer family and renovated by the Neville family in the late 14th century. For many years, the Neville family owned this castle before being confiscated by the Crown in 1569 after the family's involvement in the northward uprising.
However much of modern appearance dates back to the 19th century when the original medieval stronghold was increased first under John Matthew Russell in 1820's and later in 1850's for William Russell under supervision of architect Anthony Salvin. Currently the castle is privately owned by a Dobson family. They held craft fair and open air Shakespeare plays performances in the warmer months of the year.
There were a number of different buildings at this site. The first
was a Norman castle built by the Bulmer family and restored by the
Neville family in the late 14th century. For many years the Neville
family owned this castle before it was confiscated by the Crown in
1569 following the family's involvement in the North Rising.
Since that time there have been a number of other owners. In the
early 17th century the property was lent by the Crown to Robert Carr
but confiscated after his involvement in a poisoning scandal. In
1636 three men who had bought the castle from the royal
commissioners in 1633 sold it on to Ralph Cole of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. His grandson, Sir Ralph Cole (Member of
Parliament) sold the estate on 9 April 1701 to Sir Henry Belaysyse,
whose daughter was romantically involved with Bobby Shafto and who
is said to have inspired the famous song Bobby Shafto's Gone to Sea.
In 1796 the castle was purchased by the Russell family.
The
current building is largely a 19th-century reconstruction
commissioned by John Matthew Russell in the 1820s and improved in
the mid-19th century by architect Anthony Salvin for William Russell
(1841 High Sheriff of Durham). During the First World War the castle
served as a convalescent hospital for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospital.
In 1939 Brancepeth Castle became the regimental headquarters for the
Durham Light Infantry, who during World War II established a
military camp of over 100 huts to the south of the village. The
Durham Light Infantry left the castle in 1962.
The castle is
now privately owned by the Dobson family. Margaret Dobson, wife of
publisher Dennis Dobson, bought it in 1978.
Events
Under
the current owners there is a craft fair twice a year and outdoor
Shakespearean performances twice a year.