Lumley Castle: A Medieval Quadrangular Castle in Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.lumleycastle.com

Country: United Kingdom

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

Lumley Castle is located in Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom, and was built by the English medieval nobility in the late 14th century. Its origins trace back to a manor house that was transformed into a fortified quadrangular castle by Sir Ralph Lumley in 1389 after his campaigns in Scotland.

Following its construction, the castle’s ownership fluctuated due to political conflicts. Sir Ralph Lumley was implicated in a conspiracy against King Henry IV, leading to his imprisonment and execution. As a consequence, his lands, including the castle, were seized by the Earl of Somerset. In 1421, control of Lumley Castle returned to the Lumley family through his grandson, Thomas Lumley.

During the early 1600s, under the stewardship of John Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley, the castle underwent significant modifications aimed at enhancing its domestic comfort rather than defense. Enlarged windows were installed to allow more natural light into the interiors, and a new fireplace was added to the great hall. A notable interior addition from this period is a lavabo crafted from black and white marble, which bears the pelican emblem of the Lumley family crest. In April 1603, the castle briefly hosted King James VI of Scotland, who was en route to London to ascend the English throne. The former chapel where he stayed has since been preserved and converted into a hotel suite known as the King James Suite, commemorating his visit.

In the Georgian era, the castle saw further alterations, which have historically been linked to Sir John Vanbrugh, an architect of the period, though documentary evidence for his involvement is lacking. These changes included the establishment of a library that has survived through time and now serves a new function as the Black Knight Restaurant.

By the 19th century, Lumley Castle became the residence of the Bishop of Durham. This transition followed Bishop William Van Mildert’s decision to transfer Durham Castle to the University of Durham. The castle was subsequently adapted as student accommodation for University College, Durham, housing first-year undergraduates known as “Castlemen.” This role continued until the 1960s when the castle was sold to finance new university housing developments within Durham city.

Since 1976, the castle has been operated as a hotel by No Ordinary Hotels, with ownership remaining under the Earl of Scarbrough. From 1995 onward, its scenic grounds have provided a picturesque backdrop to Durham County Cricket Club’s Riverside Ground, welcoming visiting cricket teams. More recently, in 2019, an escape room experience was introduced within the castle’s old beer cellar, themed around the local legend of Lily of Lumley.

Lumley Castle is also enveloped in ghost stories, the most famous being that of Lily Lumley. According to this legend, Lily was murdered and cast down a well by priests as retribution for rejecting Catholicism. Although this tale lacks support from family records, it is well-known locally and has been recounted by castle visitors and members of the cricket community, including players from the Australian 2005 touring team.

Remains

Lumley Castle stands as a 14th-century quadrangular stone castle, typical of medieval fortifications in England. Constructed primarily of stone, the castle is set on a site elevated 41 meters above sea level within a valley bordered by flat terrain to the southeast and rising hills to the northwest. This position offered strategic advantages in its original defensive role.

The castle retains much of its quadrangular layout, enclosing a central courtyard surrounded by stone walls and buildings. Among the interior features, the great hall is notable for its fireplace installed during early 17th-century renovations by John Lumley. This large hearth exemplifies the period’s architectural shift toward residential comfort. Adjacent to this, a lavabo made from black and white marble carries a pelican motif, representing the Lumley family crest, reflecting the integration of family symbolism into the castle’s interior adornments.

The chapel within the castle underwent transformation in later centuries. The space that once served religious functions was converted into a hotel suite, now known as the King James Suite, marking where King James VI and I stayed in 1603. This conversion preserves the historical association while adapting the structure for modern use.

From the Georgian period, an additional interior space originally designed as a library survives today as the Black Knight Restaurant. While attributed by tradition to Sir John Vanbrugh, there is no direct documentary evidence of his role. This area reflects the taste and style of the 18th century, indicating ongoing architectural evolution within the castle.

Beneath the castle lies an old beer cellar, a subterranean chamber that has been repurposed in contemporary times as the site for an escape room attraction themed after the local legend of Lily of Lumley. This space preserves elements of the castle’s medieval utility while serving new cultural purposes.

The castle’s overall structure, together with its historical interior elements and grounds, has earned it a Grade I listing. This status recognizes its architectural and historical importance and ensures its preservation. Adjacently, the castle provides a striking visual backdrop to the Riverside Ground cricket stadium, entwining its medieval presence with modern sporting activities.

Oral traditions and historical commentary frequently highlight the castle’s reputed hauntings, especially the tale of Lily Lumley. The legend lends a layer of cultural narrative to the castle, although such stories remain outside strict archaeological documentation.