Welcome to the text only version of the Ford Castle Website

• Adult Accommodation Booking Form (PDF)
  
  
• School/Youth Group Booking Form (PDF)
  
  
• Schools within Northumberland Pricing (PDF)
  
  
• Out of County Schools Pricing (PDF)
  
  
• Flag Tower Booking Form (PDF)
  
  
• Clock Tower Cottage Booking Form (PDF)
  
  
• First Aid Course Leaflet/Booking Form (PDF)
  
  

• Ford Castle
• Ford Village
• Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Northumberland
• TD15 2PX

Or by fax/telephone at:

• Tel: 01890 820 257
• Mobile: 07881833965
• Fax: 01890 820 413

www.bbrownphotographic.co.uk
Professional photographer, covering wedding, portrait and industrial and commercial photography, throughout the north east of England.

VIEW OUR LATE AVAILABILITY DEALS  & OPEN WEEKEND OFFERS HERE

The Main Building provides comfortable and varied accommodation for parties up to 65 children & teaching staff.

THE CLOCK TOWER ANNEXE  provides dormitory style accommodation for 12-33 children & teaching staff. A visit to Ford Castle can be a wonderful and worthwhile educational experience. We look forward to your forthcoming visit. Thank you for your interest in Ford Castle.

Facilities

• All bed linen is provided.
• A flip-chart, OHP and slide projector are available upon request.
• A stock of foul-weather clothing, walking boots and rucksacks are available for loan to resident parties upon request. No charge is made for this service.
• A range of outdoor games equipment is available upon request.
• Meal Service (if applicable)
• All meals are cooked on the premises by our own dedicated and experienced catering staff. A packed lunch is available to take out.

Transport

Where two or three schools share the building the buses will be allocated accordingly. There is no extra charge for this service. While it may be possible on occasion for the castle to provide an additional vehicle any extra cost involved must be passed on to the visiting group.

All visiting drivers must be:

• Experienced in minibus driving
• Over 25 years of age
• In good health
• Have a clean driving licence available for inspection

• Historic building Stunning location 5 acres of private grounds to explore and enjoy Peaceful location for adult residential courses or day conferences
• Wide range of courses available which can be tailored to your needs
• Large or small groups catered for Fully licensed with well stocked, comfortable lounge bar Use of castle's minibuses for all arranged courses
• Clock Tower Annexe bunk rooms ideal for budget conscious youth or outdoor interest groups Self catering option Historic holiday lets
• The perfect setting for a romantic and completely private wedding celebration Horse riding
• Competitive rates

Courses/activities available include:

• Personal Social Education (KS2)
• Curriculum focus Geography, History (KS2)
• Geography, Ecology (AS/A2 level)
• Rock climbing/abseiling*
• Problem solving/team tasks Hill walking Cliff scrambling Sea fishing Orienteering Canoeing*
• Town & Village Studies Visits to Holy Island/Farne Islands/Eyemouth
• River Studies/Sampling
• Environmental Studies
• Rock Pooling
• Mini Beast Studies
• Expeditions on Land/Water
• Duke of Edinburgh Expedition training
• Mountain Biking (cost of bike hire recharged)

* please note due to the higher staff ratios required these activities carry a surcharge.

• Coastal and marine
• Sand dune systems
• Fresh water
• Moorland
• Wetlands
• Woodland

All these site environments generate sufficient statistical data to cover Diversity, Zonation, Succession and Pollution.

• DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE BOOKING FORM

• SCHOOLS OUTSIDE NORTHUMBERLAND
• SCHOOLS WITHIN NORTHUMBERLAND

Clock Tower Annex

• October 8th - 12th; 15th - 19th; 29th - 2nd November
• November 5th - 9th; 12th - 16th; 19th - 23rd; 26th - 30th
• December 3rd - 7th; 10th - 14th

Main Building

• November 19th - 23rd; 26th - 30th
• December 3rd - 7th; 10th - 14th

Half weeks available contact office for full details and prices

The reduced price for a 5day stay ranges from £52.50 to £82.50 (age dependant) and includes:

• Full board accommodation in the Main Building or Clock Tower Annex (depending on group size and availability)
• Course work a specific course can be tailored to meet your needs
• Use of mini buses as appropriate to the course

Late Availability

• Anyone driving a minibus for a Northumberland County Council establishment must be trained to MiDAS standard'.
• It is the responsibility of that establishment to ensure the driver(s) are suitably trained.
• It is suggested that the establishment hold their own 'database' of validated drivers.
• All drivers should be over 25 years with 2years min driving experience.
• Employees between ages 21-24 can become MiDAS validated and therefore operate as drivers at the Head Teachers' discretion.
• Contact ADAPT on 01434 606156 to arrange your MiDAS Training/Assessment Course

Downstairs

• Sitting room/dining room with colour TV
• Fully-fitted kitchen
• Bunk bedroom with ensuite shower room/toilet Shower room/toilet

Upstairs

• One bunk bedroom
• One bedroom with 4 single beds
• Shower room/toilet
  

The cottage would suit a family or group of up to 8 guests.  It has its own small enclosed garden which is safe for children.  Parking is immediately adjacent to the cottage.  All bed linen and towels are provided.  Guests are welcome to explore the Castle's extensive grounds and gardens. From the kitchen there are spectacular views across the Castle courtyard to the distant Cheviot Hills. 

The cottage can be hired on a self-catering basis from £15.50 per person per night.  For the comfort of all our guests, the Clock Tower Cottage is a no smoking environment, and we regret that pets are not allowed.

Contact    For further information, availability and prices please contact our office by email or telephone.  We would be happy to advise. 

 This unit has been graded as 3 star under the Tourist Board Quality Assurance Scheme.

The Flag Tower is one of our self-catering properties here at Ford Castle, and is an original tower of the 14th century Castle. It contains five storeys at present but the original tower probably only contained four. The basement storey is a vaulted chamber below ground, reached only through a small opening at the top, and used by the master of the castle as an oubliette dungeon.

The Flag Tower is available for hire all year round including weekends and short breaks. Prices start from £30 per person per night'.   This unit has been graded as 4 star under the Tourist Board Quality Assurance Scheme.

Under Norman rule in 1100 Ford was part of the barony of Robert de Muschamp, who was Lord of Wooler. Odinel de Ford, related by marriage to the de Muschamps, was granted the manor of Ford in the 13th century where he built a manor house. This was a dangerous time to be living in the borders because of feuds between families and warfare between England and Scotland. In 1314 the manor was devastated by Bruce after the Battle of Bannockburn.

The castle was of the quadrilateral type, with a central courtyard surrounded by four towers connected by high curtain walls. This pattern persisted throughout the 14th, 15th and part of the 16th centuries. The manor was raised in status to that of the barony of Wooler. The King treated William as a great lord, and granted his exemption from tolls, permission to hold a market and fair, and given an armed force of forty men. He became Warden of the East March and was in turn summoned to Parliament. As part of the border defences the castle found itself involved in border skirmishes on many occasions. One such long running feud resulted in William being imprisoned in 1387 and later murdered by John Manners of Etal in 1428.

John Heron, the ‘Bastard’ brought more trouble to the Herons. In the early 16th century feuding in the border areas was commonplace and peaceful settlements were attempted between the feuding parties on truce days held by the Wardens of the Marches. It was on such a day that the ‘Bastard’ and two accomplices murdered Sir Robert Ker, (Carr in England) the Scottish Warden of the Middle March. Heron fled, one accomplice was arrested and hung and the other traced to York where he was murdered and his head brought back to the Borders for public display. The outcome of his was that Sir William Heron the ‘Bastard’s’ brother was handed over the Scottish King who held him hostage in Fast Castle on the Firth of Forth. This incident was the start of a feud between the Heron family and the Kers (Carrs) which lasted until 1660. The castle was without a resident owner in 1509 and was the accommodation for 40 men under the command of William Selby.

Lord Dacre, the Warden of the East March, realised in 1513 the warlike intentions of James IV, before the Scots King crossed the border, and wrote from the headquarters at Ford to his superiors warning them. When the threatened invasion came, James made his way to Etal and Ford after destroying the fortresses of Norham and Wark, and it was at Ford that he set up his headquarters where he remained for a few days. He left the castle for his main camp on Flodden Hill on 5th September.

James’ delay at Ford was an important factor in the forthcoming Battle of Flodden on Friday 9th September 1513. It gave the hastily assembled English forces, under the command of the Earl of Surrey, time to march northwards positioning themselves to the north of James’ army and cutting off a possible retreat into Scotland. He was forced to battle and the Scots suffered a crushing defeat, when James and many of the Scottish lords were killed.

But why did James delay at Ford? One intriguing possibility is that concerning Lady Elizabeth Heron, wife of Sir William Heron, whose husband was a prisoner of James in Fast Castle. Lady Heron was living in the castle when James arrived. He was notorious for his exploits with women and Elizabeth Heron was reputed to be extremely beautiful. Lady Heron’s bedroom was immediately below that of the King and a secret stairway connected the two rooms. These two rooms and the stairway can still be seen in the castle.

William’s son had pre-deceased him leaving a daughter, Elizabeth, who became her grandfather’s heir. The castle was in a state of considerable disrepair in 1541 but it was still considered to be an important stronghold. Elizabeth Heron married Thomas Carr in 1551, her romantic hero, whose gallant action in 1549 had saved her castle from attack by the Scots and French. This marriage rekindled an earlier claim by the Herons of Chipchase to Ford Castle and a bitter feud developed between the Herons and the Carrs. Feuds, murders and intrigue continued.

Sir John (created Lord Delaval in 1786) died in 1808. The castle was left to his granddaughter Susan who had married the Marquis of Waterford. In 1859 the third Marquis died after falling from his horse, and left Ford to his widow Louisa Ann for life. Lady Waterford removed parts of the Delaval restoration and re-designed the castle to appear much as it does today. She spent a great deal of her time improving her estate for the benefit of her tenants. She re-planned and re-built Ford Village opening a school and closing the village inn. When she died in 1891 the estate passed back to her husband’s family.

In 1907 the Ford Estate was bought by James the 1st Baron Joicey, together with the estate at Etal. The Joicey family came from County Durham where they owned some of the largest coal mines in the north. The Barony was created in 1893 and the present Lord Joicey lives at Etal Manor overlooking the remains of Etal Castle, the history of which is linked so closely with that of Ford’s.

Graham Little
Centre Manager

Guest Feedback forms

• Adult (PDF)
• Educational (PDF)

• Exclusive hire of a unique 14th century castle
• Professional advice available from our friendly, experienced staff
• Arrangements tailored to your needs
• To end a memorable day, our medieval Flag Tower is available as a honeymoon suite with our compliments
• Choice of marriage rooms
• Varied menus with special dietary requirements catered for
• The castle's extensive walled grounds are available for guests to explore and enjoy and provide the perfect setting for your wedding photographs
• Fully licensed, well stocked and recently refurbished lounge bar
• Evening entertainment and a late bar can be arranged
• Overnight accommodation can be reserved in the castle for your guests
• A self catering cottage is available in the grounds
• Ample car parking available

Booking Conditions and Prices

• The Bride and Groom have complimentary use of the Flag Tower as a honeymoon suite
• Extensive wedding breakfast menus are available with prices starting from £33.50 per person for a three course meal
• Overnight accommodation with full English Breakfast is available for wedding guests and is currently £32.50 per person for a single or twin room.
• Discounts are available for families or adults sharing larger rooms.
• Exclusive wedding hire cost of the castle's public rooms: £2,750 from October to March, inclusive £3,350 from April to September, inclusive and Easter weekend (the castle is not generally available for wedding hire over the Christmas and New Year holiday time)

To confirm your wedding booking a £500 non-refundable deposit is required.

A crenellated wall and tower enclose the cobbled courtyard. The Clock Tower is centrally heated, self-contained and completely private.

No access is available to the Castle itself unless Clock Tower guests are staying on a full-board basis. In our peaceful and extensive grounds and gardens we have a volleyball court, a football field, and five acres of private grounds for recreational purposes. We also have a range of outdoor equipment should you require this.

The cost of a self catering stay for the weekend is £42.50 per person plus VAT. Minimum/maximum numbers are 12 and 34. For groups of 20 or less who might require additional accommodation, the Clock Tower Cottage can be made available at a charge of £50 per day. For groups of over 34 further accommodation could be made available nearby in our other self-catering unit the Clock Tower Cottage. A responsible adult must accompany all groups and bookings will only be accepted from persons 21 years of age or over.

Unfortunately although all rooms in the Clock Tower are on the ground floor, it currently has no special facilities for disabled visitors. Viewing is recommended and can be arranged by telephoning.

A provisional booking can be made. To confirm a booking please complete our booking form, printable copies are available here or contact us via the details shown here enclosing your cheque for £200.00 made payable to Northumberland County Council. If you have a banker's card please write the card number on the reverse. The management regrets that deposits are non-refundable.

Bucks Fizz Reception

Prawn and Smoked Salmon Salad accompanied by Marie Rose Sauce

Northumbrian Vegetable Broth, served with a Crusty Roll

Brussels Pate served with Leaf Salad, Red Onion Marmalade and Oatcakes

Chilled Melon Fan on a bed of Raspberry Coulis

Greek Feta and Olive Salad, drizzled with Virgin Olive Oil

Main Courses

High Season i.e. April, May, June, July, August, September and October 2007

Term-time	Catering	First School	Middle School	High School	Further Ed
Mon-Fri (4 nights)	Full	176.00	184.00	193.00	205.00
Half week (2 nights)	Full	98.00	101.00	106.00	112.00
Weekend (Fri-Sun)	Full	98.00	101.00	106.00	112.00

Mon-Fri (4 nights)	Full	147.00	155.00	166.00	177.00
Half week (2 nights)	Full	80.00	85.00	92.00	97.00
Weekend (Fri-Sun)	Full	75.00	78.00	85.00	90.00

High Season i.e. April, May, June, July, August, September and October 2007

Low Season i.e. November, December 2007 and January, February, March 2008

Vat Charges: the above prices do not include VAT

Charges for Schools within Northumberland

Main Building

High Season i.e. April, May, June, July, August, September and October 2007

Term-time	Catering	First School	Middle School	High School	Further Ed
Mon-Fri (4 nights)	Full	167.00	174.00	182.00	194.00
Half week (2 nights)	Full	90.00	95.00	99.00	105.00
Weekend (Fri-Sun)	Full	90.00	95.00	99.00	105.00

Mon-Fri (4 nights)	Full	139.00	148.00	155.00	165.00
Half week (2 nights)	Full	75.00	80.00	85.00	90.00
Weekend (Fri-Sun)	Full	75.00	80.00	85.00	90.00

High Season i.e. April, May, June, July, August, September and October 2007

Low Season i.e. November, December 2007 and January, February, March 2008

Vat Charges: the above prices do not include VAT