Rothley Castle
WHERE
Morpeth
What it’s like
A folly tower on a crag you can climb for a 360 degree view over open countryside, with a short walk in from free roadside parking.
This one's a proper little scramble rather than a big attraction. You park up on the grass verge at Rothley crossroads, free of charge, and it's a short walk from there to the tower itself, which sits up among crags with the countryside spreading out around it.
The main event is getting up to the second level of the central tower via its staircase. Once you're up there, you get a 360 degree view that makes the climb worth it, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles. It's less a "day out" and more a stop on a longer walk, or a quick outing if you've got an hour spare and fancy some fresh air.
Kids who like clambering about on rocks and imagining themselves as lookouts on a castle wall will get the most out of it. There's not much in the way of set paths or facilities, so it suits families who are happy to wander and don't need everything signposted. Bring your own snacks and sturdy shoes, because this is countryside and crag rather than a visitor centre with a car park and a café.
Need to know
- Best for
- Kids old enough to manage steps and uneven ground
- Parking
- Free parking available at Rothley crossroads on the grass verge
- How long to allow
- A short walk from the parking
- Parking is free on the verge at the crossroads rather than a proper car park
- The tower's second level is reached by a staircase, so it's not a flat, easy stroll
- There's no café or facilities on site, so bring your own food and drink
Plan your visit
How long does a visit take?
It's described as a short walk from the parking, so you're looking at an hour or so rather than a full day out.
Is there parking on site?
Free parking on the grass verge at Rothley crossroads, then you walk in from there.
What do kids actually do there?
They climb the staircase to the second level of the central tower for the view, then wander around the crags and countryside nearby.
Is it suitable for a pushchair?
The site's a tower on crags reached by a walk in, so it's better suited to kids who can walk and climb steps themselves.
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