Thirlwall Castle : What Did We Do?

Northumberland National Park Authority arranged the erection of scaffolding around the remains of Thirlwall Castle to enable conservation to take place.

Experts were drafted in to carry out extensive surveys of bats, lichens, woodland, geology and archaeological excavations along with documentary research.

Specialists were called in to record and monitor the pipistrelle and natterjack bats which lived in the ruins of Thirlwall Castle. There was also the opportunity to examine the lichens on the top of the ruins whilst scaffolding was in place.

National Park Rangers were involved in working to locate the roost and nest sites of a swift colony and to collect seeds from plants which were growing along the tops of the ruined walls.

It was the first time in the North East that the restoration of an ancient building included keeping its vegetation safe whilst the stone masons worked so that it could be put back in position after repairs.

Seventy five per cent of the castle's masonry was safe-guarded, stone walls were rebuilt, drainage and landscaping works were undertaken and 2,500 native hardwood trees were replanted.  During re-pointing work, care was taken to use a traditional lime mortar mix and to leave bat roosting holes open.

Before the scaffolding was finally removed on completion of conservation work, local residents from the nearby village of Greenhead were invited to climb to the top of Thirlwall Castle and view the work which had been done.