Bamburgh Castle featured on new Royal Mail stamps celebrating UK castles
A Northumberland landmark is being featured in a new set of stamps that celebrate the architectural brilliance of castles from across the UK.
Royal Mail has today unveiled an image of Bamburgh Castle as one of 12 new stamps.
The main set of stamps features photography of eight castles dating from the Norman period onwards.
Bamburgh Castle stands on a volcanic plug that was first fortified from 547 as the capital of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Bernicia. It was subsequently a castle of the Earls of Northumbria until 1095.
A great keep, built on the rock in about 1120, established this as the northernmost royal fortress in England. The castle was last besieged in 1464 and fell into ruin during the 16th century.
It was repaired as a hospital and school in the 18th century by Lord Crewe's Charity and then remodelled as a residence from 1894 by Victorian scientist and inventor, Lord Armstrong of Cragside.
Francis Watson-Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle said: "We are delighted that Bamburgh Castle has been given the stamp of approval by the Royal Mail.
"Bamburgh is a place that captures people’s hearts and imaginations around the world, thanks to its striking architecture and magnificent coastal location.
"To be featured in this exclusive collection celebrating the nation’s most remarkable castles is a true honour.”
Other castles shown on the stamps are: Dunluce Castle, Dundrum Castle, Castell Rhaglan, Pembroke Castle, Urquhart Castle, Stirling Castle and Warwick Castle.
David Gold, Royal Mail, said: “Castles are among the most recognisable features of the UK’s landscape, and this stamp issue celebrates the skill, ambition and design behind these remarkable structures from across the nations.”