Work begins on plans for Bamburgh Castle Walled Garden

Refurbishment and redevelopment plans for the Radcliffe Road site were approved by Northumberland County Council in 2017.

Planning permission was granted for a larger shop, a cafe with indoor and outdoor eating areas, plant growing and sales in relocated poly tunnels, an attractive seating landscaped garden with picnic areas and displays, toilets and a children’s play area.

Blacketts gift shop relocated there in 2018, moving the short distance from Lucker Road.

William Watson Armstrong, whose family own Bamburgh Castle, provided an update to members of Bamburgh Parish Council .

He said: “The planning permission requires us to make a material start and that’s where we’ve got to. At some point it will be built but it’s not going to be tomorrow. There’s a tenant in the garden at the moment, as we all know.”

Owned by the Armstrong Estate, the site had been operated as a market garden and shop by the Clark family for five generations, growing and selling fruit, vegetables, plants and basic grocery items all year round.

In addition to the walled garden, the business also grew produce in a field to the north of Radcliffe Road on the edge of Bamburgh.

The members of the Clark family who ran the business both died in the winter of 2015-2016 and the business was taken over at short notice to prevent closure.

A report lodged as part of the application stated: ‘The garden was very untidy and uncared for and the applicant has undertaken basic clearance of the site, removing waste. The intention is to continue operating the business, improving the facilities for both locals and visitors by constructing an accessible new building to modern standards.

‘The proposals offer a sustainable future for the site; returning the garden to productive use, limiting new build to a small area and retaining the historic elements while making a positive contribution to the future of the village.

‘The redevelopment will maximise the seasonal potential of this business, ensuring its viability through the whole year and enabling a subsidised service to be continued through the winter for the benefit of permanent residents.’