In the 17th century, financial difficulties led to the castle deteriorating, but it was restored by various owners during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was finally bought by the Victorian era industrialist William Armstrong, who completed its restoration. The castle still belongs to the Armstrong family and is open to the public.

Under the ownership of the Crewe Trustees it housed a school, hospital and was the centre of its own mini 'welfare state'. Bought by the First Lord Armstrong in 1894 it is still owned by the Armstrong family who play an active part in its operation and maintenance.

After William Armstrong’s death, his great nephew, the 2nd Lord Armstrong completed the task, deciding to retain Bamburgh as a family residence. Bamburgh Today Bamburgh Castle remains the much loved private home of the Armstrong family who are committed to preserving the fortress, its priceless contents and the surrounding Bamburgh Castle Estate.

The Forster family held on to the castle until the 18th century when it was sold to a prosperous Victorian industrialist, William Armstrong. Armstrong proceeded to transform the castle into a Victorian masterpiece, augmenting its splendor with the magnificent King’s Hall and medieval Great Hall.

He married Baroness Maria-Theresa Chiodelli-Manzoni in 1947 and adopted two children: a son, Francis, and a daughter, Isabella. Francis Watson-Armstrong has three children, William, Rosie and Juliet, and owns the Bamburgh Castle estate.