Built / Designed For: Probably built for William de Hylton.

House & Family History: The Hyltons were one of the oldest families in County Durham and the original grandeur of Hylton Castle reflected their standing in the county (today Tyne & Wear). The last male Hylton died in 1746; in 1758 Sir Richard Hylton, a member of a cadet branch of the family, sold Hylton Castle to Mrs. Bowes, widow of George Bowes of Gibside (ancestors of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother). The Bowes family do not appear to have ever lived at the House, having apparently let the Estate for 100 years. In 1862 the Boweses sold the Estate to William Briggs of Sunderland, who carried out a number of "improvements" on the House, including giving the 18th century wings battlements and replacing the sash windows with arched windows with plate glass. By 1834 Hylton Castle was unoccupied and unloved. Circa 1908 the Monkwearmouth Colliery Company purchased the Estate for its coal and the unoccupied house slowly slipped into ruination. In 1950 the Estate passed into the ownership of the Department of the Environment (later English Heritage), who continue to manage it today.

Garden & Outbuildings: The Park is maintained by a local community group.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 60, 1854.

John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, 1818.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: William de Hylton, 15th century; John Hylton, 18th century; Hylton family here until 1758. William Briggs, 19th century.

Current Ownership Type: English Heritage

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No