Hylton Castle

Hylton Castle
West façade of Hylton Castle, 2008
Location within Tyne and Wear
General information
Architectural style	Medieval, Gothic
Town or city	Sunderland
Country	United Kingdom
Coordinates	54°55′21″N 1°26′35″W / 54.92253°N 1.44318°W / 54.92253; -1.44318
Construction started	c. 1390 (from wood to stone)
Client	Sir William Hylton
Owner	English Heritage

Coordinates: 54°55′21″N 1°26′35″W / 54.92253°N 1.44318°W / 54.92253; -1.44318

Hylton Castle (/ˈhɪltən/ HIL-tən) is a ruined stone castle in the North Hylton area of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. Originally built from wood by the Hilton (later Hylton) family shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, it was later rebuilt in stone in the late 14th to early 15th century. The castle underwent major changes to its interior and exterior in the 18th century and it remained the principal seat of the Hylton family until the death of the last "baron" in 1746. It was then Gothicised but neglected until 1812, when it was revitalised by a new owner. Standing empty again until the 1840s, it was briefly used as a school until it was purchased again in 1862. The site passed to a local coal company in the early 20th century and was taken over by the state in 1950.