Earlier Houses: The remains of the Medieval Bywell Castle were incorporated into a new house, Bywell Castle House, in the 19th century. The house is today a Grade II-listed building.

Built / Designed For: William Fenwick

House & Family History: In 1777 the architect John Carter submitted plans for additions to Bywell Hall, though it seems unlikely they were executed. On May 31, 1942 Wentworth Beaumont (later 3rd Viscount Allendale), who was serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War II, was shot down off the coast of the Netherlands. After his capture, he was interned in Stalag Luft III POW camp in Germany, where he was involved in the planning of the famous Great Escape. Because of his leg injury, Beaumont was not part of the actual escape, which took place during the night of March 24-25, 1944 (he was released in 1945, following the end of the war). In 2024, Vanessa Beaumont, wife of Wentworth Beaumont, eldest son of the 4th Viscount Allendale, published "The Other Side of Paradise," a novel set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young, innocent American heiress who comes to England and marries the owner of a formerly great estate.

Collections: Lorrain's "St. Philip Baptising the Ethiopian Eunuch" was sold to the National Museum of Wales 1983-84.

Comments: Pevsner called Bywell "...probably the most beautifully placed, picturesque and architecturally rewarding group of buildings in the Tyne Valley."

Garden & Outbuildings: The Bywell Hall Estate covers 17,000 acres.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Current Seat / Home of: Wentworth Peter Ismay Beaumont, 4th Viscount Allendale; Beaumont family here since 1810.

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, 16th century; Neville family here from the 14th century until 1571. John Fenwick, 18th century; Fenwick family seated at old house from 1571 until 1760. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: William Fenwick, 18th century; Fenwick family seated at new house from 1760 until 1810. Thomas Wentworth Beaumont, until 1848; Wentworth Blackett Beaumont, 1st Baron Allendale, 1848-1907; Wentworth Canning Blackett Beaumont, 1st Viscount Allendale, 1907-23; Wentworth Henry Canning Beaumont, 2nd Viscount Allendale, 1923-56; Wentworth Hubert Charles Beaumont, 3rd Viscount Allendale, 1956-2002.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

Ownership Details: Tours of the house must be booked in advance.

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01661-843-296

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.allendale-estates.co.uk

Historic Houses Member: Yes