AttractionEnglish Heritage

Warkworth Castle

Warkworth, Northumberland

A formidable Percy fortress above the Coquet, with the village, the river loop and Warkworth beach minutes away making it an excellent base with your dog.

Warkworth is one of the most formidable castles in northern England and the great keep is unlike anything else. Built for the Percy family, it is cross shaped in plan, effectively a self contained tower house of extraordinary sophistication. Five routes with listening posts and colour coding guide you round the fortress-palace as it worked in its 15th century heyday, each following a different medieval inhabitant. Upriver, reached by boat in season, is the Hermitage, a chapel cut directly into the cliff face.

Whilst you climb through the keep to the roof for views over the village and the loop of the Coquet, your dog gets an excellent base: the village is pretty, the river loops right round it, and Warkworth beach is a wide empty stretch of Northumberland sand a few minutes away.

Dogs on leads are welcome, with assistance dogs welcome across the site. Parking for about 48 spaces outside the castle is free for members. There is a café, shop, toilets, exhibition, gardens and picnic seating.

At a Glance

Dog Access: On-lead in the grounds; Dogs on leads are welcome. Assistance dogs welcome across the site.
Site Type: Medieval & Tudor
Entry: £10.20 adult; £5.10 child · £25.50 family
Members: Free for English Heritage members
Facilities: Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
Telephone: 01665 711423
Parking: Parking (approx 48 spaces) outside the castle is free to English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay. At busy times, there is additional (charged) parking in Warkworth Town, about 200m away, or a long-stay car park near the beach (charges may apply).

English Heritage Membership

Planning Your Visit

Opening times

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00

Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Warkworth Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Warkworth Castle as long as they're kept on leads throughout the site. Assistance dogs are welcome across the entire site. The surrounding area is genuinely great for dogs too — the village is pretty, the River Coquet loops right around it, and Warkworth beach is just a few minutes away.
Are dogs allowed at Warkworth Castle year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs visiting the castle itself, so they appear to be welcome throughout the year. It's worth noting that the Hermitage — a chapel cut into the cliff face upriver — is reached by boat in season, so access to that particular feature may be more limited depending on time of year.
What should I know before visiting Warkworth Castle with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on leads at all times during your visit. Parking outside the castle has around 48 spaces and is free for English Heritage members; non-members need to pay, and at busy times there's additional parking in Warkworth Town (about 200m away) or near the beach. The castle itself has a café, toilets, gardens and picnic seating, so there's plenty to make a comfortable day of it.

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Castle Terrace

Warkworth NE65 0UJ

55.3444, -1.6112

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What’s Nearby?

Beach0.2 mi away

Warkworth Beach

Northumberland

Dog Friendly Rating:9/10

A wide golden sandy beach at the mouth of the River Coquet near the stunning medieval village of Warkworth, with year-round dog access, no restrictions and excellent off-lead space.

View ListingSand · Year Round