Haughton Castle

{{Short description|Castle in Humshaugh, Northumberland, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox historic site | name = Haughton Castle | image = File:Haughton Castle.jpg | caption = | type = | locmapin = | coordinates = {{coord|55.05053|N|2.12988|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(NY918729)|display=it|format=dms}} | location = | area = | built = 13th century | architect = | architecture = | governing_body = | owner = Braithwaite family | designation1 = UK Grade I | designation1_offname = Haughton Castle | designation1_date = 20 October 1952 | designation1_number = 1043027 }} '''Haughton Castle''' is a privately owned country mansion and Grade I listed building, situated to the north of the village of Humshaugh on the west bank of the North Tyne.<ref>Plantagenet Somerset Fry, ''The David & Charles Book of Castles'', David & Charles, 1980. {{ISBN|0-7153-7976-3}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1043027|desc=Haughton Castle}}</ref> It is around {{convert|5 + 1/2|miles}} north of the market town of Hexham, Northumberland.

It was built originally in the 13th century as a tower house and enlarged and fortified in the 14th century.<ref name=Sine>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sine.newcastle.ac.uk/view_structure_information.asp?struct_id=130 |title=Structures of the North East |access-date=2008-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725130154/http://www.sine.newcastle.ac.uk/view_structure_information.asp?struct_id=130 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At this time the castle was owned by Gerald Widdrington and, although the Widdringtons still owned it in the early 14th century, the Swinburns were living there.<ref name=Keys>{{Cite web |url=http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=N9294 |title=Keys to the Past: Haughton Castle |access-date=2007-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005906/http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=N9294 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

By the 16th century, the castle fell into ruin and disrepair, and it was attacked by Border reivers.<ref name=Keys/> A survey of 1541 reported the roof and floors to be "decayed and gone".<ref name=Gate>[https://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/2661.html Haughton Castle, Humshaugh]</ref>

The property was acquired by the Smith family in about 1640,<ref name=Sine/> but in 1715 a further survey stated the building to be ruinous.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/numblis8.html|title=Notices of Ruined Towers in Northumberland|year=1715|access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

Significant alterations were carried out for the Smiths between 1816 and 1845, latterly by architect John Dobson to convert the ruin into a substantial mansion.<ref name=Gate/> The Crawshaw family came into possession in 1862,<ref name=Keys/> and a west wing was added for them by Anthony Salvin in 1876.<ref name=Gate/> In the late 19th century it was acquired by the Cruddas family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukga.org/index.php?pageid=14239|title=The Comprehensive Gazetteer of England & Wales 1894-1895}}</ref>

Part of the castle served as a hospital during the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/news-photo/haughton-castle-uk-it-was-built-originally-in-the-13th-news-photo/464746743|title=Haughton Castle|publisher=Getty Images| access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref> It is currently owned by the Braithwaite family.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/torys-executive-homes-plan-northumberland-8025611|title=Tory's executive homes plan for Northumberland facing opposition|date=30 October 2014|newspaper=Chronicle Live|access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

Some commentators suggest it is the location for the traditional song "Waters of Tyne".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.larchmusic.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6684350-Bonnie-Northumbria-Brass-Band-LM786.html|title=Bonnie Northumbria Brass Band|publisher=Larch Music| access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.barrasford.net/northumberland-attractions/haughton-castle.htm Information on Barrasford.net]

Category:Castles in Northumberland Category:Grade I listed buildings in Northumberland