Discover the Wild World of Northumberland’s Border Reivers

Northumberland may feel peaceful today, with its sweeping coastlines, quiet villages, and endless skies, but just a few centuries ago, this landscape told a very different story. Along the Anglo-Scottish border, a fierce and lawless culture once thrived: the infamous Border Reivers.

These were not soldiers in the traditional sense, but families and clans who lived by raiding, riding across the border under cover of darkness to steal livestock, settle feuds, and defend their own kin. In the 16th century especially, the region was a frontier in every sense, remote, disputed, and difficult to control. As a result, the Reivers became fiercely independent, loyal not to England or Scotland, but to their surnames and survival.

A Landscape Shaped by Conflict

The geography around Northumberland played a huge role in this turbulent history. The border itself, stretching from the River Tweed near Berwick down toward Carlisle, was never fully secure. For centuries, it was a patchwork of disputed lands where lawlessness could flourish.

Today, however, that same landscape offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past. Within an hour of Brunton, you can explore some of the most evocative sites connected to the Reivers:

Image by Patricia Tamborino from Pixabay

• Berwick-upon-Tweed – Just a short drive away, this historic border town changed hands between England and Scotland multiple times. Walk the Elizabethan walls and imagine the tension of a town caught between two kingdoms.
• Norham Castle – Overlooking the River Tweed, this fortress stood at the frontline of border warfare and would have been a familiar landmark during the Reiver era.
• Etal Castle and the surrounding Till Valley, this peaceful area today was once a hotspot for raids and battles, including nearby Flodden Field, where one of Britain’s most significant conflicts took place.
• Chillingham Castle – While better known for its later history, castles like this reflect the fortified world that emerged in response to Reiver raids.

You’ll also notice distinctive fortified farmhouses known as bastle houses scattered across the countryside, built with thick stone walls and living quarters above livestock to protect against night-time raids.

The Rise of Pele Towers

Image sourced from: https://www.historichouses.org/house/preston-tower/visit/

Alongside bastle houses, another striking feature of the border landscape is the Pele tower. These small, fortified stone towers were built by landowners and prominent families as a direct response to the constant threat of raids.

Typically three or four storeys high, pele towers had thick walls, narrow windows, and defensible entrances often reached by removable ladders. The ground floor was usually used for storage, while the family lived above, safe behind heavy wooden doors and iron yetts. In times of danger, neighbours could even gather inside for protection.

You can still see impressive examples throughout Northumberland and the Borders, including Preston Tower near Chathill and Smailholm Tower just across the Scottish border. These towers stand as powerful reminders of a time when security depended not on distant authorities, but on the strength of your own walls and the loyalty of your kin.

From Lawless Past to Peaceful Escape

What makes the story of the Border Reivers so compelling is the contrast with modern Northumberland. Today, the same valleys and hills that once echoed with hoofbeats and conflict are tranquil, unspoilt, and perfect for exploring at your own pace.

Walking routes like the Reivers Way now guide visitors through this historic terrain, offering a chance to follow in the footsteps, or hoofprints, of these notorious riders, while soaking in some of the most beautiful scenery in England.

Stay in the Heart of Reiver Country

To truly experience this rich history, there’s no better base than Brunton House & Cottage. Ideally located for exploring North Northumberland and the Borders, our cottages offer a peaceful retreat after a day spent discovering castles, battlefields, and ancient border towns.

Whether you’re tracing your ancestry, exploring local heritage, or simply enjoying the dramatic landscapes, staying with us places you right at the heart of Reiver country, without the midnight raids!

Plan your stay with us, and step into a landscape where history lives on in every hill, castle, and quiet country lane.