Shakespeare has given an immortal interest to the Castle of Warkworth by laying part of the scene of his Henry IV there. The Castle stands on a fine commanding hill, with wide and charming views seaward and landward, with the winding banks and hanging woods of the Coquet, a sweet little river which, after almost surrounding it, falls into the sea at the distance of about a mile. The scenes which he in prospect are noble, extensive, and varied. Below the Castle clusters the town. At a little distance out at sea, you observe Coquet Isle, with its ruined tower and cell. Northward stretch away the shores, with the Fern Isles and the castles of Bamborough and Dunstanbrough conspicuous ; and southward, villages and woods enrich the wide broad plains, and stud the winding strand and creeks.

The Castle itself is well worthy of its site. As was justly observed by Grose, nothing can be more magnificent and picturesque, from what part so ever it is viewed. There is something peculiarly stately, and of feudal grace about it. The keep, or principal part of the building, stands on the north side, and is elevated on an artificial mound several feet higher than the other parts. It is square, with the angles cut away. Near the middle of each side of this square projects at right angles a turret, its end terminating in a semi-hexagron. These projections are of the same height as the rest of the keep, from the centre of which a lofty exploratory tower arises. There is something very unique and imposing in this arrangement of the building ; and on the front of every tower a bold shield, supported by a knight or angel, is displayed, which adds greatly to this effect. One cannot avoid carrying back the mind to the period when this proud castle was not a ruin, but the chief abode of the great and powerful Percys ; and feel what must have been the impression winch it must have made on the mind of the spectator who came with the idea of Percy fame already in his imagination, and saw it standing in its perfect beauty on its stately height, and surrounded by armed retainers.

The castle and moat, according to an ancient survey, contained nearly six acres of ground. It includes in front of the keep an area of more than an acre, surrounded with walls and towers. These walls are in many places entire, and are thirty-five feet high. The gateway, or principal entrance, was once a stately building, defended by a portcullis, and containing apartments for several officers of the castle ; of which a few only now remain, which are inhabited by the person who has charge of the castle. There were similar towers about the middle of the east and west walls, which are also in ruins.