The Tankerville Arms Hotel is in Wooler, Northumberland, up in the North of the county, close to the border with Scotland. Close to the action!
There was a long period in the late Middle Ages when Northumberland was in a state of constant threat, mainly from the Border Reivers who regularly came South to kidnap, steal and generally make havoc. As the most Northern county in England, Northumberland also hosted its fair share of battles fought between the quarrelling kings of Scotland and England and had to endure the constant threat of invasion from the North.
Which is good news for us in the 21st Century, because we get to visit and marvel at the many fortifications built here in that period, both by Kings and ordinary folk, many of whom felt the need to fortify their houses and create what are known as ‘bastles’.
There are over 70 castles and bastles in the county, some in a state of ruin of course, but many still stand proud and make for an awe-inspiring visit.
Come to Northumberland, it’s epic!
