Willimontswick

Willimontswick (aka Willimoteswick, Willimontswyke, Williams-Wyke) is a hamlet in Northumberland, located about a mile south-west of Bardon Mill and half mile west of Beltingham. Willimontswick Castle is a working farm, situated in a defeasible position, by the valley of Willimoteswick Burn, near the burn's confluence with the River South Tyne. Willimontswick was an ancient seat of the Ridley Family, and was the birthplace of Bishop Nicholas Ridley, one of the Oxford Martyrs, who were burnt at the stake for their Protestant beliefs, in 1555. The Gatehouse of the 'castle' is a bastle, dating from the 16th century (a Grade I listed building). The farmhouse (Grade II* listed) is the former Manor House, largely rebuilt in 1890, incorporating parts of the 16th Century manor house and earlier fabric. In addition to the farm, there is a former mill house, located by the burn and Bridge Cottage. Historically, Willimontswick was part of Ridley township in the ancient parish of Haltwistle. Today it is part of Bardon Mill Civil Parish.