Harbottle Castle, Medieval castle ruin in Harbottle, England.
Harbottle Castle is a fortified site whose stone remains stand on a hill above the River Coquet, with fragments of walls marking its former defensive position. The layout includes a motte-and-bailey structure with later stone construction, showing different building phases from the 12th century onward.
The Umfraville family built this fortress in 1160 under orders from King Henry II to strengthen border defenses against Scottish invasions. It remained a key position controlling the territory between England and Scotland through the medieval period.
The site connects to the Tudor family through Margaret Douglas, born here in 1515, linking it to both English and Scottish royal lines. Walking through the ruins today lets visitors sense this royal connection that shaped the region's history.
The ruins are easily accessed through a parking area at the west end of Harbottle village, with free entry year-round. The site sits openly on a hillside, so visitors should expect muddy or uneven ground, especially after rain.
From 1436 to 1603, the castle housed the Warden of the Middle March, the official who commanded this strategic border section. This lengthy period shows how central this location was to managing the English-Scottish boundary for almost two centuries.
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