Bamburgh is a coastal village in Northumberland, dominated by its iconic castle perched on a volcanic outcrop. Its history spans from being the capital of an Anglo-Saxon kingdom to a modern-day filming location for major Hollywood blockbusters.
Capital of Northumbria
From the 6th to the 9th century, Bamburgh served as the royal city and capital of the kingdom of Bernicia (later Northumbria). It was established by the invading Angle chief King Ida in 547 AD.
Origin of the Name
The name "Bamburgh" is a corruption of Bebbanburgh. It was named by King Æthelfrith in honor of his wife and queen, Bebba.
First Castle to Fall to Cannon Fire
During the Wars of the Roses in 1464, Bamburgh became the first castle in England—and potentially the world—to fall to cannon fire. The heavy artillery of Edward IV breached its supposedly impregnable walls.
Home of a Famous Victorian Heroine
The village is the birthplace and final resting place of Grace Darling. In 1838, she and her lighthouse-keeper father rowed through a violent storm to rescue survivors from the shipwrecked Forfarshire.
Inspiration for "The Last Kingdom"
Bamburgh Castle (as Bebbanburg) is the ancestral home of Uhtred, the protagonist of Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories. This series was adapted into the popular television show and film The Last Kingdom.
A High-Tech Victorian Restoration
The castle was bought in 1894 by the industrialist and inventor William George Armstrong. Known as the "Magician of the North," he transformed the deteriorating fortress into a visionary home, much like his other famous property, Cragside.
Global Origins of its Ancient Residents
Bio-archaeological studies of high-status burials at the castle's pre-Viking cemetery revealed that residents originated from as far away as the Hebrides, Scandinavia, the southern Mediterranean, and North Africa.
Hollywood Stardom
The castle is a frequent filming location for major productions. Most recently, it appeared in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, doubling as Nazi Germany in 1944. It has also featured in Macbeth, The BFG, and Elizabeth.
Birthplace of the First Lifeboat
In 1786, Dr. John Sharp (a trustee of the castle) launched the first-ever purpose-built lifeboat at Bamburgh. During this time, the castle also served as a coastguard station and a free school for underprivileged children.
The Longest Chancel
The local parish church, St. Aidan's, dates back to the 12th century. Its chancel, added in 1230, is 60 feet (18 meters) long and is said to be the second-longest in the country.
Bamburgh Castle in 1928
This footage captures the North Sunderland Railway, a short but essential four-mile line that connected the stations of Seahouses, Bamburgh, and North Sunderland. At the time, the service was operated by a single locomotive pulling three carriages.
A highlight of this film occurs at the 48-second mark, offering a serene view of Bamburgh Castle as seen from the village. In a stark contrast to the modern era, only two cars are visible in the entire scene.
The Four Mile Railway (1928): British Pathé on YouTube
Grace Darling Centenary (1938)
The year 1938 marked the 100th anniversary of the legendary rescue performed by Grace Darling. In 1838, the SS Forfarshire struck the rocks near the Longstone Islands in the Farne group. Despite treacherous sea conditions, Grace and her father launched a rescue mission that saved 13 lives. Tragically, Grace passed away only four years after her heroic deed.
To commemorate the centenary, the local community gathered for a celebratory event. The following films record the faces of the spectators and participants against the backdrop of the village.
Grace Darling Boat Lner (1938): British Pathé on YouTube
A second film provides additional perspectives and scenes from the day's commemorative activities.
Centenary of Grace Darling's rescue of shipwreck survivors in 1838 (1938): Reuters Connect on YouTube
Wish You Were Here? (1983)
This segment from the popular travel show visits Bamburgh Castle on a characteristically overcast day in 1983. While the footage of the castle is brief, the introduction is a notable time capsule of 1980s television tropes. The presenter uses several dated clichés to describe the region, including references to pit ponies and the "canny Geordies" keeping Northumberland a secret.
1980s Newcastle | Northumberland | Bamburgh Castle | Wish you were here? | 1983: ThamesTv on YouTube
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