Dunstanburgh Castle is a 14th century enclosure castle standing in a dramatic position on an isolated promontory overlooking the North Sea.
The walls and gatehouse were built between 1313 and 1316. The castle was enlarged in the later 14th century when the gatehouse was turned into a keep and a new gateway was built.
In 1382-3 an inner ward was created behind the keep by a range of buildings placed around a courtyard. These buildings included accommodation for guests and men-at-arms as well as a kitchen and bakehouse.
The inner ward lies within a much larger enclosure which was surrounded by stone curtain walls; the northern side has been damaged by the sea as long ago as 1543, but the other sides are still upstanding.
A number of towers are built in the curtain wall; Lilburn Tower and Egyncleugh Tower were built in the early 14th century, whereas Constable Tower was built later that century.
Inside the enclosure are the remains of the castle's home farm.
