Aydon Castle is a well-preserved 13th-century castle that was lived in and used as a farmhouse until 1966. It is now owned and managed by English Heritage, a United Kingdom-based charity that manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and locations.

Sometimes called Aydon Hall, it is a fortified manor house set in a beautiful and secluded woodland in Aydon near the town of Corbridge, Northumberland. The castle grounds are the perfect place for a family day out.

Construction of the original timber hall is believed to have begun in 1296 by one Robert de Reymes. It was intended to be an undefended residence, but an imposing wall was built around 1305 to protect it from Scottish raiders in the Anglo-Scottish war.

It was nevertheless captured by the Scots in 1315 and again in 1346.

In the more peaceful 17th century, it was converted into a farm with an orchard within the castle walls, and additional farm buildings were added later.

The Reymes family owned Aydon for several centuries. Later owners and occupants included the Carnaby family and the Collinson family.

If you want to visit, you can find all the details you need on the English Heritage website. Like many attractions in Northumberland, it is closed during the winter months.

This article first appeared on Northumberland Traveller.