Brancepeth Castle is open for tours throughout the winter. Every Thursday morning at 10.30 (except for craft fair week and over Christmas and the new year). Full schedule on https://t.co/YdAX1b8aGz. #Historic_Houses #thisisdurham

November 1569: the Rising of the North rebels occupy Durham as they rise against Elizabeth I. Led by Charles Neville they march from Brancepeth Castle and capture Barnard Castle but retreat in the face of Elizabeth's forces. The rebellion is over. #Historic_Houses #FeatureFridays

Toys are meant to be played with. This retirement home in Brancepeth Castle is a well-deserved resting place for old family toys which have done their duty over the generations. @Historic_Houses #FeatureFridays

We're missing all our loyal stallholders and customers for our annual Christmas Craft Fair, but you can visit it online at https://t.co/YdAX1b8aGz Browse the stalls and maybe do a little shopping! @Historic_Houses @ThisisDurham #Christmas2020 #Christmasgifts #ChristmasGiftIdeas

Does anyone know anything about clockmaker William Thomas of Lincoln, who made the works for Brancepeth Castle's gatehouse clock n 1844? Since the works were disconnected a ghost has turned the hands occasionally, but has not been seen for a while @Historic_Houses #FeatureFridays

How Brancepeth Castle's Armour Gallery has changed over time, from the Russells' grand room in 1910 to a military hospital in 1917, the DLI Officers' Mess in 1944 and hosting a craft fair in 2019.@Historic_Houses @DCMS @ThisisDurham #HereForCulture #ThrowbackThursday

The Russells came to Brancepeth in 1796, but wanted to suggest that their roots were there. They installed a series of 18 windows to 'prove' their descent, with shields that gradually change from the 12 century owners, the Nevilles, to theirs. #FeatureFridays @Historic_Houses

Stunning stained glass panels c1824 depicting members of the Neville family. Part of a major commission from William Collins for Brancepeth Castle, currently on display at the excellent Durham Heritage Centre. @DurhamHeritage @Historic_Houses @ThisisDurham #FeatureFridays

Thank you Sarah - we are looking forward to re-opening properly for tours next year. Meanwhile the new Cafe BurgSchneider has just opened in our gatehouse - come and pay a visit:

We have just published a new report on the Grade I-listed Brancepeth Castle in Co Durham. https://t.co/qBq6MXAthu @JayneRimmer

The cellars beneath the 14th century Neville Tower were originally living accommodation, became Lord Boyne’s wine cellar, then the army’s PE store and now house old stock from Dobson Books. @Historic_Houses #FeatureFridays

Since the 13th century the vaulted ceiling of the Barons’ Hall has looked down on the plotting of the Rising of the North, the luxuries of a Russell reception room, an army recreation room and Pyrex laboratory and dark room. @Historic_Houses #MedievalMondays

Peter de Humez became lord of Brancepeth in 1070. He had no male heirs but through the female line first the Bulmers and then the Nevilles came to Brancepeth Castle. Later descendants include George I, Churchill and David Cameron @Historic_Houses @ThisisDurham #MedievalMondays

We are thrilled to have been awarded funding from the government's #CultureRecoveryFund to restore the roof and lantern over our grand staircase. This will open up more of the castle for additional events and increased visitor numbers. #HereForCulture @DCMS @Historic_Houses

By 1818 the Russell family were the richest commoners in England. Matthew Russell spared no expense in the rebuilding of Brancepeth Castle – ‘I am going on with my building without a check... The great bastion I shall place at the water's edge...’ @Historic_Houses #FeatureFridays

Matthew Russell had the armour gallery at Brancepeth Castle added as part of his 1817 rebuilding. A collection of English Civil War armour was acquired and put on display to give the new building a sense of age and history. @Historic_Houses @ThisisDurham #FeatureFridays

Emma Maria, Viscountess Boyne, played this harmonium in the castle chapel when she came to prayer, reportedly 5 times each day. When she died in 1870 the chapel was remodelled by Anthony Salvin and dedicated to her memory #FeatureFridays @Historic_Houses #harmoniums @thisisdurham

A lovely comment in our Quartermaster’s guest book - thank you Fern! We look forward to seeing you again. @Historic_Houses @ThisisDurham #Staycation2020

Holidays in the late 70s meant work on the castle we had just bought and restoring grand rooms. This was once Lady Boyne's drawing room, but more recently a lab with x-ray room for Pyrex, who had an advanced research station here #ThrowbackThursday #LoveHeritage @Historic_Houses

The chapel is in the medieval Westmorland Tower, but was remodelled by Anthony Salvin in the mid-19thC when the stained glass and beautiful tiling were added, and dedicated to the memory of Emma Maria, Viscountess Boyne. @Historic_Houses @ThisisDurham #FeatureFridays