Chillingham Castle: a dark poem of stone and shadows (10 photos)
In the heart of Northumberland, on the border with Scotland, Chillingham Castle stands - a place where history intertwines with legends, and the walls preserve the echoes of the past. 
This ancient stronghold, considered the most haunted castle in England, attracts not only history buffs, but also those who seek a meeting with the otherworldly. It is said that more than a hundred ghosts live here, each of which has left its mark in the bloody chronicle of these places.
From Monastery to Fortress 
The history of Chillingham began long before 1246, when it was still a monastery. Later, during the Scottish-English wars, the building was transformed into a powerful fortress. In 1298, King Edward I used the castle as a residence before the battle with William Wallace. Since then, Chillingham has become a symbol of the strategic importance and cruelty of its time. Its ten-meter walls withstood countless raids, and the interior served as an arena for torture and executions.
Shadows of the Past: From Torture to Curses 
One of the darkest pages in the castle's history was the reign of John Sage, known as the Butcher of the Scots. This merciless executioner tortured dozens of people weekly, using an "iron maiden", a rack, and other instruments of torture. They say that his spirit still roams the courtyard, where he himself was publicly executed - a crowd that hated him cut off his limbs while he was still breathing. 
View of the castle from across the garden
There are other ghosts in the castle: a boy whose remains were found in the Pink Room emerges from the wall, bathed in a soft blue glow; Lady Mary Berkeley, heartbroken by her husband's betrayal, glides through the corridors in search of her lost love; and the Chapel is haunted by the spirit of a little girl who plays with visitors' hair.
Beauty and Horror: The Contrasts of Chillingham 
The Great Hall, used as a filming location for the 1998 historical film Elizabeth
Today, the castle is surrounded by picturesque gardens. The garden of Chillingham Castle is a beautiful and tranquil place, but appearances can be deceiving. Behind the archway, there used to be three "hanging trees". When someone was hanged at Chillingham Castle, the corpse would remain in the tree until it crumbled into bones. Those who were hanged were not given a Christian burial because it deprived the soul of the opportunity to move on. 
Underground, in the cold dungeons, there are still killing pits where wounded prisoners were left to die. And in the Pantry there is a ghost of a woman who asks for water, reminding us of her tragic fate. 
Chillingham Castle is not just a historical place, it is a portal to a world where the past comes to life and shadows tell their own stories. Here, every room, every corridor and corner holds mysteries that continue to excite the imagination. 
Today, Chillingham Castle is not just an architectural monument and holiday apartments, it is a living testimony to human cruelty and hope, where every detail tells its own story, and every step can lead to a new encounter with the unknown. 
