Lambton Castle

Lambton Castle is a large country house near Chester-le-Street that rises above the River Wear and was built in the early 1800s. The building displays Norman-influenced architecture with towers and contains many rooms that show its substantial size and scope.

The castle was built in the 1820s under commission from John Lambton, the first Earl of Durham, with architects Joseph and Ignatius Bonomi overseeing the work. The construction was based on an earlier residence called Harraton Hall that had stood on the site before.

The grounds have long been shaped by hunting traditions, particularly the practice of pheasant hunting that continues on the estate. This reflects how the property has maintained its connection to rural English life across the centuries.

The estate includes extensive grounds and parks that you can explore on foot, with various areas that offer different atmospheres and views. Multiple entrances provide flexible access to different parts of the property, making it easy to structure your own route through the landscape.

The park is divided by the River Wear, which creates two distinct sections and shapes the experience of moving through the grounds. In its early years, the property hosted horse racing events, showing how it served multiple purposes beyond its role as a private residence.

Location: North Lodge

Architects: Joseph Bonomi the Elder, Ignatius Bonomi

GPS coordinates: 54.86700,-1.53678

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:26