Haughton Castle is a privately owned country mansion and Grade I listed building, situated to the north of the village of Humshaugh on the west bank of the North Tyne.[1][2] It is around 5+12 miles (8.9 km) north of the market town of Hexham, Northumberland.

Haughton Castle
Coordinates55°03′02″N 2°07′48″W / 55.05053°N 2.12988°W / 55.05053; -2.12988
Built13th century
OwnerBraithwaite family
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameHaughton Castle
Designated20 October 1952
Reference no.1043027

It was built originally in the 13th century as a tower house and enlarged and fortified in the 14th century.[3] At this time the castle was owned by Gerald Widdrington and, although the Widdringtons still owned it in the early 14th century, the Swinburns were living there.[4]

By the 16th century, the castle fell into ruin and disrepair, and it was attacked by Border reivers.[4] A survey of 1541 reported the roof and floors to be "decayed and gone".[5]

The property was acquired by the Smith family in about 1640,[3] but in 1715 a further survey stated the building to be ruinous.[6]

Significant alterations were carried out for the Smiths between 1816 and 1845, latterly by architect John Dobson to convert the ruin into a substantial mansion.[5] The Crawshaw family came into possession in 1862,[4] and a west wing was added for them by Anthony Salvin in 1876.[5] In the late 19th century it was acquired by the Cruddas family.[7]

Part of the castle served as a hospital during the Second World War.[8] It is currently owned by the Braithwaite family.[9]

Some commentators suggest it is the location for the traditional song "Waters of Tyne".[10]

References

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  1. ^ Plantagenet Somerset Fry, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
  2. ^ Historic England. "Haughton Castle (1043027)". National Heritage List for England.
  3. ^ a b "Structures of the North East". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
  4. ^ a b c "Keys to the Past: Haughton Castle". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2007.
  5. ^ a b c Haughton Castle, Humshaugh
  6. ^ "Notices of Ruined Towers in Northumberland". 1715. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  7. ^ "The Comprehensive Gazetteer of England & Wales 1894-1895".
  8. ^ "Haughton Castle". Getty Images. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Tory's executive homes plan for Northumberland facing opposition". Chronicle Live. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Bonnie Northumbria Brass Band". Larch Music. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
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