"Twizel Castle is a curious affair. It began life as a plain old mansion house/tower, almost became a sort of mock castle and ended up being a man-made ruin as its masonry was plundered by its owner for a new home" (from northeasthistorytour.blogspot.com)
In 1561 a survey noted 'there has been one tower, or pele, which is of ancient time decayed and cast down, and there remains one part or quarter thereof, and a barmkin about it'.
In the early 1700's work started in building a five level mansion on the site of the old castle. This work lasted until 1822 when part of this building was destroyed to supply stone for a new mansion at Tillmouth Park
