Chillingham brings together a layered architectural history and the long history of the Wild Cattle. At Chillingham Castle, the building phases range from the towers of the 12th or 13th century to the connecting walls from the late 16th century. Chillingham has been home to the Wild Cattle of Chillingham for at least 800 years. The tours offer a practical choice: a short walk after being transported by trailer, or a dedicated 4x4 option.

Castle and St Peter’s Church

The towers of Chillingham Castle were built in the 12th or 13th century, while the connecting walls date from the late 16th century. The building history therefore spans several distinct periods, separated by a considerable amount of time. Another historical reference point is the “Licence to Crenellate” from 1344, which is displayed at the Castle. The individual items on display may change.

St Peter’s Church in Chillingham dates from around 1100 and is listed as a Grade I building. It stands on the grounds of Chillingham Castle. The church contains a 15th-century tomb commemorating soldier-general Sir Ralph Grey and his wife Elizabeth. The church adds an earlier building phase to the castle’s history, while the tomb adds a later chapter.

Water landscape and Wild Cattle

The lakes on the grounds of Chillingham Castle are fed by seven springs and five streams. Chillingham Cattle Park covers about 350 acres and includes the surrounding woodland and the herd of Wild Cattle. Water, woodland and livestock are among the park’s described landscape features.

Chillingham has been home to the Wild Cattle of Chillingham for at least 800 years. The animals are said to be the only survivors of the wild herds that once roamed Britain’s forests. Their long connection with Chillingham and the recorded history of the former wild herds are two distinct historical references.

Two tour formats in the Cattle Park

On a Wild Cattle tour, visitors are taken by Land Rover trailer along a farm track to the starting point of the Cattle Tour. A short walk then leads into the Cattle Park, where you can watch the cattle and learn about their history.

The “Up close and personal tours” take visitors between the cattle and into remote areas of the park that cannot be reached on foot in a Polaris 4x4 vehicle. The formats therefore differ both in vehicle and in access to areas of the park: the trailer ride is followed by a short walk, while the 4x4 option also goes into areas otherwise inaccessible on foot.

Advance booking is required for the “Up close and personal tours”; availability may change. Check the provider’s current booking information before planning.

Other tours and directions

Chillingham Castle’s Ghost Tours and Ghost Hunts take place throughout the year. Availability and bookable dates may change, so it is advisable to check the provider’s current information before planning.

The car park for the Wild Cattle tour is on the road just beyond St Peter’s Church. Check the provider’s current directions and parking information before travelling, as route details may change.

Discover more destinations: Elsdon, Swinhoe, Ashington, Greenhaugh, Duddo, West Woodburn, Newton-on-the-Moor, Blanchland

For the wider travel overview: Northumberland.