Eshott: History and Flying Experiences

If you are considering Eshott as a destination for a hotel stay, you can plan your trip around two different interests: the historic traces of Eshott Castle and Eshott Hall, or the flying experiences offered at Eshott Airfield. In terms of history, archaeological settlement remains differ from the architectural history of a country house; at the airfield, the focus is on specific flying experiences and training. First decide which focus is most important for your trip.

Eshott Castle and Medieval Traces

Eshott Castle comprises the remains of a fortified medieval house with a moat at the confluence of Longdike Burn and Eshott Burn. The earthworks are fairly easy to make out in a gently undulating pasture. The fortified house is considered a rare surviving example of a medieval settlement in Northumberland. Its significance therefore lies not only in its fortifications: the connection between the building, moat and traces in the landscape also reveals the site’s settlement character. A medieval pottery kiln near Eshott is also considered the first medieval pottery kiln in the north-east. It shifts the focus from fortifications to the production of ceramics and adds a craft dimension to the settlement’s history.

Eshott Hall: A Country House with Several Building Phases

Eshott Hall offers a different historical perspective. The southern section of the building is a Grade II-listed country house dating to around 1660, possibly designed by Robert Trollope for William Carr. Eshott Hall was altered in 1850 and again in 1881. The history of the central section of the building is distinct: it was demolished in the mid-20th century and rebuilt in the 1990s. This allows several stages to be distinguished: the approximate date when the southern section was built, the 19th-century alterations, and the later demolition and reconstruction of the central section. Eshott Hall therefore represents a different question from Eshott Castle: here, the focus is the architectural history of a country house across several phases, while there, it is medieval settlement traces.

Flying Experiences at Eshott Airfield

Eshott Airfield is a general aviation airfield. Tiger Flights offers introductory flights from there in classic open-cockpit de Havilland Tiger Moth biplanes over Northumberland and Newcastle. Tiger Flights also offers individual flight training in de Havilland Tiger Moths and Chipmunks. Training focuses on a different type of flight experience than an introductory flight. An introductory flight in an Auster is operated by Eshott School of Flying Limited at the airfield. Eshott Airfield is a former RAF airfield; flying experiences are offered seven days a week. Check the specific date and availability before booking, especially if you have a particular aircraft or type of flight experience in mind.

The airfield is accessible from the A1 via a private single-track road. Take this access road into account when travelling there for a flight.

Clarify the purpose of your trip when searching for hotels

In aviation, introductory flights and individual training are different, so check the specific offer if a particular type of flying experience matters to you. For the historical sites, the distinctions between archaeological settlement remains, pottery and the building phases of Eshott Hall can help you narrow down your interests.

Discover more destinations: Seaton Delaval, Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Warkworth, Seahouses, Felton, Hepple, Gilsland, Shilbottle.

For the regional travel overview: Northumberland.