Northumberland has a long history, dating back to the Viking invasions, which terrorrised many religious foundations on the North East coast.

In addition to the renowned Percy Arms Hotel, Chatton also benefits from its own local shop supplying groceries, newspapers as well as its own Post Office. It also has its own Art gallery situated within a short walk of Percy Cottage

The area's rich history has left many splendid castles and priories as its legacy, from the grandeur of Alnwick and Bamburgh to the ruins of Dunstanburgh and Etal. In addition there is Holy Island with its priory and castle

Steeped in history, Bamburgh Castle is the home of the Armstrong family, and has been extensively restored, in the nineteenth and mid eighteenth century.

Alnwick Castle, the home of the Percy family since 1309, is second only in size to Windsor Castle as an occupied castle.
It was used as the location on the first two Harry Potter films.

The Hotspur Gate, (above) in Alnwick, is almost all that remains of the town fortifications.
The prevalence of castles and fortified towns in Northumberland, bears witness to its bloody history.