Warkworth Castle stands on a hill close to the River Coquet, and dominates the village of Warkworth. Its polygonal keep with its tall central watchtower is an impressive sight from any angle. The castle is of Norman origin and was taken over by the Percy family (of Alnwick Castle) in 1332. Later that century, Henry Percy, the first Earl of Northumberland, allowed the castle to be the home of his eldest son, Harry Hotspur. The opening scene of Shakespeare’s play "Henry IV" is set at this very castle.