Blenkinsopp Castle, a Grade II listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, stands one mile south of Greenhead, Northumberland.
Blenkinsopp Castle, in Northumberland, has a ghostly bride and hidden treasure that awaits discovery (Image: PA)
The castle is named after the Blenkinsopp family, though its meaning is not certain.
There seems to be an agreement that the first part of the name is Celtic but there are at least three different explanations. It could mean ‘hill with a cairn’ or ‘top ridge’ or perhaps means the ‘man who lives on a hill’.
The second part of the name is Anglo-Saxon from the word ‘hope’ meaning side valley. Blenkinsopp lies between two side valleys of the Tipalt Burn called Wydon Cleugh and Coal Cleugh with a smaller unnamed stream near the castle itself.
County records from Henry III’s reign (1207–1272) indicate that the land was initially owned by Ralph Blenkinsop, with no existing buildings at that time.
The castle is associated with a legend and ghost story concerning Bryan Blenkinsopp who lived here many centuries ago (Image: DAVID SIMPSON/ENGLANDSNORTHEAST)
The building appears to date back to 1349, when one Thomas Blenkinsopp was granted a licence to crenellate from his existing manor house, ‘Blenekensope’.
By 1832, the property was in disuse and the castle was partly restored by the architect John Dobson. A passageway was then found at its northwest corner which inspired speculation that it was secretly linked to the nearby castle at Thirlwall a mile-and-a-half away. In truth the passage did not extend anything like that distance.
The castle served as a hotel in the 20th century, but a fire in 1954 caused major damage, leading to the demolition of large parts of the property.
In recent years, it has been part home and part ruin.
Blenkinsopp Castle is associated with a legend and ghost story concerning one Bryan Blenkinsopp who lived here many centuries ago.
The ghost may occasionally be seen haunting the grounds of the ruined castle where she waits, ready to guide the way to the spot where her chest of treasure is hidden (Image: DAVID SIMPSON/ENGLANDSNORTHEAST)
As a young man, Blenkinsopp boasted he would not marry until he met with a lady possessing a chest of gold heavier than ten of his strongest men could carry.
Remarkably, later in his life, Bryan’s wishes were fulfilled when he met with such a lady, while abroad fighting in the Crusades. Bryan brought her back to England where they were married – but the lord did not, as expected, live happily ever after.
When the new bride learned of her husband’s youthful boasts, she became worried he had only married her for her wealth, so she secretly hid her treasure chest in the Blenkinsopp grounds, where Bryan could not find them.
Bryan responded to this bitterly and either heartbroken or humiliated by his bride’s lack of trust, he mysteriously left his wife and castle and was never to return again.
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The lady came to regret her actions, but despite strenuous efforts to find her husband, he could not be traced. She apparently died a lonely and remorseful woman.
It is said that her ghost may occasionally be seen haunting the grounds of the ruined castle where she waits, ready to guide the way to the spot where her chest of treasure is hidden. Some believe that the spirit will not lay to rest until the treasure is discovered and removed.
Thanks to David Simpson of the England’s North East website for his help in compiling this feature. For more on the history and culture of the North East, visit englandsnortheast.co.uk