Preston Tower
Preston Tower is one of Northumberland’s most striking peel towers, built in the late 14th century as a fortified refuge during the turbulent era of border raids. Its tall, narrow profile and thick stone walls reflect a time when families needed strong, defensible homes to withstand sudden attacks. Despite its martial origins, the tower today feels surprisingly intimate, offering a clear window into medieval domestic life. Inside, visitors can climb the spiral staircase to explore the tower’s two main chambers. The lower room, once used for everyday living, retains its fireplace and small windows that balanced security with practicality. The upper chamber served as the lord’s private quarters, with better light and views across the surrounding countryside. From the roof walk, you can enjoy wide panoramas that once helped residents spot approaching danger. One of Preston Tower’s most charming features is its 19th‑century clock, installed by the Baker family. Its mechanism, still in working order, occupies a dedicated room and adds an unexpected Victorian layer to the medieval structure.
Chathill United Kingdom
You will find it at Preston Tower, Preston Village, Chathill, Northumberland NE67 5DH. It sits just off the A1 between Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed, right in the small hamlet of Preston near Chathill station. It is a 14th century pele tower, built to protect locals during border raids, and it is still tucked into woodland and gardens. You climb up through furnished rooms, there is a big Victorian clock mechanism inside that is the same design as Big Ben, and the views from the top over the countryside are really nice. It is run on a simple honesty box. The big coastal castles are very close. Bamburgh Castle with its dramatic perch above the beach, Dunstanburgh Castle near Craster, and Alnwick Castle with The Alnwick Garden are all within a short drive. Inland you have Chillingham Castle, famous for its history and a bit of a spooky reputation. If you like museums, Bailiffgate Museum in Alnwick is great for local history, and the RNLI Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh tells the story of the famous rescue. There is also Embleton Tower just down the road, another old pele tower, and you are only minutes from gorgeous beaches at Beadnell Bay, Embleton Bay and Seahouses where you can get boats out to the Farne Islands.