Today was Ann's stroke club summer outing when we crossed the border by bus to Otterburn Tower.
Ann's mobility scooter travelled there in the luggage hold of the bus.
The original building was founded in the 1086 as a bastion to repel the marauding Scots. Robert Umfraville, a cousin of King William I, was charged with protecting Tynedale and Redesdale and keeping them ‘free from wolves and enemies’.
The castle is surrounded by its own landscaped gardens.
In 1388 the Tower withstood its fiercest attack from the Scots following the battle of Otterburn. The Scots, led by the 2nd Earl of Douglas were confronted a mile north of here by the English, led by Harry Hotspur, son of the Earl of Northumberland. Despite Douglas being slain, the Scots won the battle and advanced to the castle at Otterburn then onwards towards Newcastle. Today's Scots visitors are far less aggressive.
The castle nowadays is an upmarket hotel.
We had lunch in one of the dining halls.
Above the grand fireplace is a three dimensional interpretation of the Battle of Otterburn.
We then made the short journey to Otterburn Mill to let the ladies shop for textiles. Otterburn Mill has already been covered in a previous photothread.
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