Residents in Sunderland can visit Hylton Castle during the upcoming bank holiday weekend on Sunday 3 May and Monday 4 May 2026 to watch a re-enactment titled “The Battle for Sunderland.” Organised by the Hylton Castle Trust in partnership with the English Civil War Society, the event will feature live battle displays, living history demonstrations, and family-friendly activities such as medieval crafts and face painting.
The re-enactment highlights the historical Battle of Hylton, which occurred on 24 March 1644 during the English Civil War. The original conflict saw Scottish forces allied with Parliamentarians defeat Royalist forces near the site.
This event takes place at the historic site following a £4.2 million restoration project, which was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Sunderland City Council. Completed in 2020, the project transformed the structure from a derelict site into a functional community and heritage venue.
Visitors to the Grade I listed building, which is in the care of English Heritage, can also enjoy food, drink, and rides available on the grounds throughout the weekend.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
