Breathtakingly vivid magenta light reflects off the swirling tide as it eddies around Harkess Rocks at the northern end of Bamburgh beach. Across the the bay, Bamburgh Castle commands an imposing position atop a dolerite crag overlooking a beautiful stretch of unspoilt pale sand. The castle was once a ruin, having suffered extensively during the Wars of the Roses and was subsequently allowed to slowly deteriorate. However, work begun in the 18th century restored the castle to its former glory. It is now one of the most recognisable castles in the UK.