Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England

© Blackbeck/Getty Image

Grow with the flow. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England

Bamburgh Castle perches over a black crag of volcanic rock in Northumberland, England. The castle area and the nearby beaches are covered by the region's distinct sand landforms, the Bamburgh Dunes, seen in the foreground of today's image. The fortress, once a strategic Anglo-Saxon stronghold, evolved over centuries into the imposing structure seen today. The castle played a pivotal role in defending against the Viking invasion in 993. However, the Norsemen destroyed the original fortification, after which significant enhancements were made during the medieval period. The castle also served as the seat of the ancient Northumbrian kingdom—a medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom, in present-day Northern England and south-east Scotland. After surviving its share of invasions and attacks, Bamburgh Castle has made its way to the limelight due to its impressive silhouette against the North Sea, having been featured in productions like 'Macbeth,' 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' and 'Ivanhoe.'