Warkworth Castle

I wanted Ice Cream,

so in a bid to visit the 📌Morwick Dairy that I discovered on TikTok of all places we turned it into a double whammy visit – ticking off one of our walks in the process. This time around – Warkworth Castle.

We needed a short walk for Rachael,

It just so happens that Warkworth Castle is one of the shortest routes in our guidebook! This meant spurred on by a cup of tea, Rachael could carry the 3lbs+ of baby around without too many stops.

We pulled up to the Warkwork Castle car park and took full advantage of our English Heritage memberships by having a good nosey about the grounds before we headed out.

The castle itself was closed due to remaining COVID safety measures which means we will have to visit again – which is enough excuse for more ice cream, so I’m not complaining.

The site contains various ruins that remain enough intact to visualise the layout that people hundreds of years ago would have used to prepare food, look after livestock and worship.

As we completed the tour, we grabbed hot drinks from the overpriced on-site shop. Incidentally staffed by the absolute loveliest people you’d ever meet, which made the prices sting a little less.

Headed down a small decline around the Western edge of the castle, a gravel path snakes around the perimeter until you hit a fork in the road.

Heading straight on would have taken us to the quaint town centre. Instead, the guide directs you down a huge winding hilltop the river edge. I commented to Rachael that whilst all the downhill is easy, we would need to ascend in equal measure at some point to her displeasure.

We passed a couple of benches placed in remembrance of loved ones. As Rachael was feeling fine, we skipped them both and pressed on to the Hermitage.

Close to the Hermitage is a lovely looking farm which was more interesting to look at than the Hermitage itself. After taking a short breather here we know the hill and aforementioned ascent awaited us on the final leg of the walk.

Once atop the hill, it was a short rounded track across some fields to return to the car park. A short but sweet ramble during a gloriously sunny day taking in the beautiful Warkworth scenery and probably our last before baby arrives.