📌 Alnwick, Northumberland
★★★★★
Alnwick Castle is probably Northumberland’s number one tourist attraction. Seat of the Duke of Northumberland (who still resides here), this is the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle. It’s been used as a filming location for dozens of blockbusters – notably Harry Potter and Downton Abbey – broadening the appeal beyond the historical for several hundred thousand annual visitors. Little surprise, then, that even many of the best known Edinburgh tour companies venture this far south and across the border for day trips. Parts of the castle date to the 12th century, when the first stone buildings were constructed here by the De Vesci family, Barons of Alnwick. The Percy family bought the title in 1309, and it is their descendants who live here today. The current buildings reflect a late 18th century restoration project carried out by architect Robert Adam, as well as a remodelling by Anthony Salvin a century later.
How about the tourist offering? There’s a great deal to do here, probably justifying the high ticket price. The opulent State Rooms at the centre are probably the highlight (no photography permitted), while Constable’s Tower and the Postern Tower contain exhibitions and local archaeological finds. Yet another corner tower contains the worthwhile Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland. Younger age groups are also well catered for: book a broomstick training (!) slot on the broad bailey lawns, encounter the fearsome Alnwick Dragon in the Dragon Quest experience, have a go at medieval crafts in the Artisans Courtyard, or try your hand at archery for an extra fee. Interested in all of the above? Allow the best part of a day.
🌍 Location
📌 Greenwell Road or The Peth (B6341), 5-min walk north of Alnwick town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NU 187136
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.415713,-1.706002
🚌 Bus to Alnwick
🚗 Car parks (some with charge / disc requirement)
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily, 29 March to 24 October 2024
🎫 £20.50 adult / £10.80 child – discount for booking online
