New car park at Bamburgh Castle creates nearly 100 extra spaces for visitors

Nearly 100 new parking spaces have been created at Bamburgh Castle in time for the new visitor season.
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It is hoped the extra capacity will help to solve congestion issues at peak times of the year, both at the castle and in the surrounding village.

Castle owner William Watson-Armstrong said: “Giving our visitors the best possible experience when they come to Bamburgh Castle is something that is important to us.

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“We have invested significantly in upgrading our car parking and access facilities for visitors along with other enhancements across the castle including new signage, branding, a new website with online ticketing, longer opening times and being dog friendly.

Picture c/o PixabayPicture c/o Pixabay
Picture c/o Pixabay

“As our new parking area is available for people not visiting the castle to use also, we hope it will contribute towards helping ease parking congestion in Bamburgh at busy times of the year.”

The castle, which opened for the 2020 season on Monday, receives more than 30,000 cars per year, while there have also been increased numbers of coach and group visits in recent years.

Bamburgh Castle Estate received planning permission for a new 92-space car park in 2018 but the works had to wait until archaeological concerns and other issues were addressed.

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A report accompanying that application stated: ‘The increasing popularity of the castle, and the appealing picturesque location in which it sits, attracts a high number of visitors every year which during peak times can be problematic.

‘Turning away tourists and visitors over a fundamental issue such as insufficient parking space is frustrating and also has a negative impact on the castle’s reputation and operations.’

The new car park is on the south-east section of the grounds on a grassed area next to the existing hard-standing.

In the village itself, the main car park is often full in the peak summer months which leads to congestion problems on Front Street, Lucker Road and The Wynding, the narrow road leading to the golf course and beach.

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