Tag: Alnwick Castle

Spotlight on Alnwick Castle

Posted on October 23, 2025 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

One of Northumberland’s most iconic landmarks is the magnificent Alnwick Castle. It’s grand, it’s full of history and it’s just a lovely day out. Whether you’re a lover of historic buildings, a Harry Potter fan, or you simply enjoy exploring somewhere beautiful, Alnwick Castle really does have something for everyone.

From St Oswald’s Farm, it’s around an hours drive, and if you opt to take the scenic route via Kirkharle and Rothbury you will find yourself winding through open countryside and picture-perfect Northumberland villages. It’s an easy and enjoyable route, and before you know it, the sight of the castle’s towers will be rising above the town ahead of you.

alt="Alnwick Castle with blue skies above"
Alnwick Castle – impressive even at first glance

Step into history at Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is often described as one of the finest castles in England, and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. It’s still home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, and there’s something rather special about walking through a place that’s not only steeped in history, but also very much alive and lived in.

Alnwick Castle dates back to the 11th century, when it was first built by Yves de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick, to defend England’s northern border. Over the centuries, it’s witnessed battles, sieges and royal visits, and today it stands as one of the largest inhabited castles in the country.

In 1309, it became home to the Percy family, one of the most powerful noble families in English history, and as it still remains their residence today, it one of the few castles of this size still lived in by its original lineage. The Percys played major roles in English history – from the medieval wars with Scotland to the Wars of the Roses and beyond.

Alnwick Castle – From fortress to film star

While its medieval walls tell tales of knights and nobles, Alnwick Castle has a lighter side too. In more recent years, it’s become something of a film and TV star – appearing as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films, as Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey and many more film and TV appearances including Transformers and Dungeons & Dragons! The castle embraces this fame beautifully, offering broomstick training sessions in the very courtyard where Harry and his friends first learned to fly! It’s a wonderful mix of fun and nostalgia, and a must-see for Potter fans of any age.

Beyond the magic, there’s plenty more to enjoy, try your hand at archery, meet costumed guides who bring the castle’s past vividly to life, or simply wander through the grounds and soak up the views. Within the castle’s keep, you’ll find beautifully decorated State Rooms which include the Upper and Lower Guard Chambers, the Library, the Drawing Room, the Saloon, the Dining Room, and the China Gallery all of which are stunning, packed full of fine art, antique furniture and centuries of history. Your day ticket includes entrance to all the museums and collections within the castle and to the grounds which include highlights such as the Lion Arch and a replica Napoleonic cannon that sits proudly on the Gun Terrace.

alt="Alnwick Castle Barbican"
The Barbican

When it’s time for lunch, there’s the Courtyard Café inside the castle grounds that not only offers a warm Northumbrian welcome but a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, soups and savoury bites, or you can wander into the town itself, where you’ll find plenty of independent cafés and little shops to explore. For more information on visiting Alnwick Castle please head to their website.

Don’t miss The Alnwick Garden

Right next door is The Alnwick Garden, and it’s absolutely worth a visit while you’re there. The Grand Cascade is breathtaking, the Poison Garden is fascinating (and perhaps a little bit eerie!) in fact all of the gardens within the complex are simply beautiful and with interest throughout the year.

alt="Alnwick Garden Grand Cascade"
The Grand Cascade

Extend the day and visit the coast

If you’ve still got some exploring left in you, the coast is only a short drive away. Craster is a lovely little fishing village known for its kippers, its harbour views and its walk along the coastal path to Dunstanburgh Castle. On a sunny day, it’s hard to beat the combination of sea air, castle ruins, wide open skies and the opportunity to enjoy a drink and a crab sandwich at The Jolly Fisherman.

alt="Craster harbour"
Craster Harbour – a peaceful end to a perfect Northumberland day

Alnwick Castle really does capture so much of what makes Northumberland so very special, its deep history, its beauty, its creativity and that little bit of magic that stays with you long after you’ve left.

Visit Alnwick

Posted on February 19, 2024 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland

Northumberland has some of loveliest market towns and each one has it’s own distinctive character, history and charm and each one with it’s own unique offering for a perfect day out. A visit to North Northumberland and to the market town of Alnwick will not disappoint and although most famously known for it’s grand castle and wonderful gardens there is much more to enjoy when you visit this lovely medieval market town.

Take a saunter through Alnwick town centre and you will find cobbled streets, narrow alleys and old traditional stone buildings many of which many are home to independent shops and you will find a few high street names dotted about too as well as pubs and cafes in which you can sit and soak up the atmosphere of this thriving market town. The historic Market Square hosts a weekly market on Thursday and Saturday from end of March onwards and the Farmers’ Market is held on the last Friday of each month is you fancy picking up some local produce.

alt="Alnwick Market Square in sun"
Alnwick Market Square

Also in the centre of Alnwick is the Bailiffgate Museum which is an award winning independent museum and gallery with exhibitions and displays showcasing 10,000 years of rich local history and culture. The museum is located in a Grade 2 listed former church and this would make a perfect starting point for if you wish to take in the rich history of Alnwick.

If you love books then a visit to Barter Books is a must, it is one of the largest second hand book shops in England with over 350,000 books to choose from. This huge bookshop is located in part of an old Victorian railway station and is made up of several rooms all with features from bygone days but all now fitting a very different purpose. The entrance is in fact the old Station Parcel Room, which still has the open window through which passengers would have bought railway tickets and further rooms mark the beginning of the outbound platform, with the buffers still remaining at one end. The old waiting room however is still just a place to sit, a place to read and in the colder months you will find yourself in front of an open fire. There is a whole room dedicated to antiquarian books and you will find the walls of this room lined with over forty glass cases full of these old gems. Of course an old railway station wouldn’t be complete without a train, which you will find running in miniature overhead and if you’re in need of refuelling then the station buffet will do just that. Top tip….the breakfast butties come highly recommended!

alt="bater books reading room in Alnwick"
Barter Books

Alnwick lies in the midst of some of the beautiful Northumberland countryside and none more so than the historic parkland which was landscaped by Capability Brown and which surrounds Alnwick Castle itself. The park was once part of Hulne Priory and is one of two parks that was once associated with Alnwick Castle and was once the hunting ground of the Percy family. Today Hulne Park is open to the public from 11am-4pm each day and is great for a walk and includes extensive parkland, the impressive Priory remains, the gatehouse to Alnwick Abbey and two bridges. There are three clearly marked circular walking routes and each is between 4 and 6 miles and a map of the walks can be found here.

Hulne Priory
Hulne Priory

Although not in the very centre of Alnwick The Aln Valley Railway at the Lionheart Station is lovely way to combine a trip to Alnwick with a breath of sea air. The railway has a small shop and cafe and holds events throughout the year but gives the perfect opportunity to take a train ride to the charming village of Alnmouth on the stunning North East coast.

Of course we couldn’t write about Alnwick without including the monumental Alnwick Castle and the wonderful brainchild of the Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Garden.

Alnwick Castle dates back 950 years and is the second largest inhabited castle in the UK and is often dubbed as the Windsor of the North. As you would imagine there is a wealth of history to be discovered within it’s 2m thick walls and the setting and the features of this medieval stronghold are nothing short of magnificent and many of which you may recognise from the castle’s numerous stints as a film set.

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Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Garden is a wonderful combination of spaces, themes, quirkiness and play. From the tranquility of the Cherry Orchard and garden swings, the excitement of the Grand Cascade and the mysteries of the Bamboo Labyrinth, to the Serpent Garden’s spell-binding water sculptures, the intrigue of the Poison Garden, the delight of the Rose Garden and one of the world’s largest tree houses – there is lots to admire and plenty to enjoy and delight!

When visiting the castle or garden please check the respective websites for opening seasons and times as these do vary.

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Alnwick Garden

Alnwick is just one of the lovely towns you will find in Northumberland and if you’d like to discover more of these historic market towns then remember to check out Hexham, Amble, Rothbury or Morpeth to name just a few. We hope you have a great day out whichever town you choose to visit.