[1][2] It is around 5+1⁄2 miles (8.9 km) north of the market town of Hexham, Northumberland.

[4] By the 16th century, the castle fell into ruin and disrepair, and it was attacked by Border reivers.

[5] The property was acquired by the Smith family in about 1640,[3] but in 1715 a further survey stated the building to be ruinous.

[6] Significant alterations were carried out for the Smiths between 1816 and 1845, latterly by architect John Dobson to convert the ruin into a substantial mansion.

[5] The Crawshaw family came into possession in 1862,[4] and a west wing was added for them by Anthony Salvin in 1876.