est  1086   

A Thousand Years of Legend and Legacy

Founded in 1086 by a cousin of William the Conqueror, Otterburn Castle began its life as a Norman stronghold guarding England’s volatile northern frontier. For centuries, it served as both a defensive bastion and a symbol of power along the Anglo-Scottish border.

In 1388, the surrounding lands bore witness to the legendary Battle of Otterburn, a pivotal clash during ongoing border conflicts. Scottish forces, led by James Douglas, known as the “Good Sir James,” engaged an English army under Henry “Hotspur” Percy. Though both commanders were captured, the Scots emerged victorious in what became one of the most iconic battles of medieval chivalry—later immortalized in ballads and chronicles across Europe.

Ownership of the estate later passed to Clan Hall, before the current castle structure was built in 1830 by Thomas James, a magistrate who used stones from the original medieval fortress to reconstruct the estate in its current Gothic Revival form.

Officially recognized for its architectural and historical significance, Otterburn Castle became a Grade II listed building on 7 January 1988.

Today, Otterburn Castle is a private estate open to the public as a boutique hotel, event venue, and culinary destination. While its walls whisper the stories of centuries past, its future is being reimagined—where history meets modern hospitality, and every guest is invited to write their own chapter in its enduring legacy.