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Brancepeth Castle

Brancepeth Castle is an historic castle near Durham. Now a family home, it is open to visitors on a number of days each year and for public events.

Activities we offer

Tours

Find out how the castle developed from a Saxon stronghold to become the seat of the mighty Neville family before being l…

Weddings

Whether your dream wedding is a grand celebration or a more intimate gathering, the castle offers an ideal setting, with…

Cafe Burgschneider

Open Thurs-Sun in the Castle Gatehouse and serving a popular range of homemade German cakes, hot and cold drinks, Café B…

Holiday let

Quartermaster’s is a charming, bright and sunny south-facing ground floor flat. It has recently been sensitively moderni…

Open Mornings

Enjoy free and unguided access to up to four of the castle's main rooms. Normally this will include the medieval Constab…

Private Events

Whether large or small, the castle is a great venue for a wide range of events. With spacious rooms that can seat hundre…
View All Activities

From the Saxons to the present

The castle has changed hands many times over the centuries and been used in many ways. Fortress and family home, laboratory and barracks, read more about the owners and residents that together make the story of Brancepeth Castle.

Find out more about our History

The Family

Running the castle remains very much a family affair, with active involvement from the across the generations of the ever growing extended Dobson family.

Meet the family

Dobson Books

After decades as a family business, publishing works from an eclectic range of notable authors, Dobson Books relocated to the castle in 1979.

Learn more

Latest News

As Seen On TV!

During the summer of 2025 some of our restoration work and events were filmed for a new series titled Saving Country Hou…

Jan 2026

Summer 2025

A wide range of events took place throughout the summer of 2025. You can view our Summer Newsletter here and subscribe t…

Jul 2025

Historic Houses

Brancepeth Castle is a member of the Historic House Association and featured as a Place you have loved visiting in the 4…

Jul 2025

Dragons Arise!

Our second dragons event for families! Calling all knights, princesses, dragons and their attendants. Bring a sword and …

Feb 2025

There Be Dragons!

Our exciting October half-term family event! Calling all knights, princesses, dragons and their attendants. Bring a swor…

Sep 2024

An Old Front Door

We have reinstated the original early 19th Century oak studded doors to the entrance of the castle’s main event room, th…

Jun 2024

Quartermaster's at 8

We are lucky at Brancepeth Castle to have so much space, but the question is always which areas should we next bring bac…

Mar 2024

Christmas Craft Fair 2022

Looking for gifts? Maybe something nice for yourself? Some jewellery perhaps. Local ales, cheeses, Northumbrian sausages…

Nov 2022
More News

Photo Gallery

Explore some of our favourite photos of the castle.

Gallery

Reviews

View our overall rating, the latest, and some of our favourite reviews from Tripadvisor and Google.

See our reviews

Nearby - Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

Set out on what was once the castle's deer park, Brancepeth Castle Golf Course opened in 1925 after being designed by Harry Colt. It is beautiful and challenging and the club offers a range of facilities.

Golf Club (external site)