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Lying close to the Scottish border, Norham Castle has been besieged or captured by either the Scots or the English on many occasions. There are so many castles and other fortifications along the Coast & Castles cycle route that you are constantly reminded of scenes of warring - the whole of this border country is littered with such strongholds and it's some reminder of the hostilities that have frequented the area.

The Castle, overlooking the river Tweed, was one of the strongest of the border fortresses with one of the finest Norman keeps in the country. Flambard, Bishop of Durham, constructed the first building on the site in 1120, but this survived for only 20 years before being destroyed by the Scots. 

In 1513 King James IV of Scotland besieged the castle and bombarded it with heavy artillery. After parts of the keep were destroyed, the garrison surrendered - although only a few days later King James himself was killed in the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field.  

Today, although ruined, the castle is still an impressive sight.