Haltwhistle

Featherstone Castle: Just over two miles to the South West is the picturesque Featherstone Castle. The oldest part of the castle still standing dates back to the 14th century which is a tower built by Thomas de Featherstonehaugh in the 1320s. The most recent additions date from the 19th century The Featherstonehaughs retained ownership of the castle until the 18th century. It is home to one of our more famous ghost stories concerning Abigail Featherstonehaugh who lived in the late 17th Century. The legend says she was to marry a neighbouring Baron's son, but was in love with a local Ridley As the bridal party rode the bounds of the estate, the spurned lover made an attack, but the new bridegroom put up a good fight. All were killed in the fray. At midnight the sound of horses' hooves were heard outside the castle, the door opened into the banqueting hall and the ghostly apparition of Abigail and the rest of the party entered. The Baron fainted at this spectral procession. It is claimed the ghostly wedding party can be seen each 17th January in Pynkin's Cleugh.