Blenkinsopp Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blenkinsopp Castle |
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| Northumberland, England | |
Car park and ruins, Blenkinsopp Castle
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 Blenkinsopp Castle
Location in Northumberland
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| Coordinates | 54°58′26″N 2°31′30″W / 54.974°N 2.525°W |
Blenkinsopp Castle is an old building in Northumberland, England. It's a mix of a ruined 14th-century tower house and a damaged 19th-century mansion. It sits above the Tipalt Burn, near Greenhead. Today, it's a Grade II listed building and a Scheduled monument, meaning it's an important historical site.
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What's in a Name?
The name Blenkinsopp comes from old languages. It likely started with words meaning 'top' and 'ridge'. Later, an Old English word for 'valley' was added. So, it probably means something like 'top of the ridge in the valley'.
The Story of Blenkinsopp Castle
Building a Stronghold
The Blenkinsopp family owned the land where the castle stands since the 1200s. They built a strong tower house here. Some records suggest it was built in 1339. The family received permission to add battlements (fortified walls) in 1340. This was done to help protect the border.
Before the castle was built, in the 1200s, the land belonged to Ralph Blenkinsop. At that time, there were no buildings mentioned on the site.
Changes Over Time
By 1541, the castle's roof was in bad shape. The tower also needed repairs. The Blenkinsopp family still owned the castle. However, they gave its use to the Earl of Northumberland. They then moved to their other nearby homes. These were Bellister Castle and Blenkinsop Hall.
In 1727, Jane Blenkinsopp, who inherited the property, married William Coulson. By 1832, the castle was not being used much. A house for a mine agent was built next to the ruins. This was likely designed by architect John Dobson.
Between 1877 and 1880, William Lisle Blenkinsopp Coulson had the castle renovated. It was given a Victorian style. Soon after, the Coulsons sold all their Blenkinsopp lands to Edward Joicey. Edward Joicey bought the estates in July 1875. He also arranged for more restoration work.
A Hotel and a Fire
In the 1900s, Blenkinsopp Castle became a hotel. But in 1954, a big fire caused major damage. Because of this, large parts of the building were torn down for safety.
Blenkinsopp Today
In recent years, the castle has been partly a home and partly a ruin. In 2015, the property was put up for sale. The Simpson family had bought it in 1955. The listing said that "one wing survived and now houses the family home." This home is part of a larger park with luxury chalets. The Blenkinsopp Castle Inn is also there.
The Simpson family completed some renovations. The most recent was in 2012. They received some help from Historic England.
The White Lady
News reports from that time mentioned a local legend. People say the castle is haunted by the "White Lady." She is believed to be the widow of Bryan de Blenkinsopp. The story says he left her because she wouldn't tell him where she buried her treasure.
As of 2020, the Blenkinsopp Castle Inn was still open. It offers rooms, a bistro, and a bar. This part of the building used to be the castle's coach stable. It is separate from the section that is a family home.
