Alnwick Castle

For the last 700 years, Alnwick Castle has been home to the aristocratic Percy family, who hold the ancient title of the Dukes of Northumberland. It is one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK and is now perhaps best known as the setting for Hogwarts Academy in the Harry Potter movies.
Starting life at the end of the 11th century as a Norman motte and bailey defence castle, Alnwick has expanded piecemeal and been consistently restored down the centuries; a visit today encompasses architectural styles from medieval through Gothic and on to Italianate neo-classicism. Alnwick has one of the finest private collections of decorative arts in the country as well as several museums or weaponry, war and archaeology – plus one dedicated to the successful TV series Downtown Abbey – housed in the castle’s towers, courtyards, keep and ornate state apartments, which were decorated by Robert Adam in the late 18th century and are crammed with paintings from the likes of Titian and Caneletto.
The parklands surrounding the castle include a walled garden, the spectacular Grand Cascade, rope bridges and one of the world’s largest tree houses. There are dinosaurs to be spotted in the Alnwick Garden, a colorful spring display in the Rose Garden and – best of all – a garden dedicated entirely to poisonous plants, where belladonna and laburnum thrive. Family-friendly events take place in the grounds daily, giving kids the chance to dress up as medieval knights or undergo broomstick training in the style of Harry Potter. 

Practical Info

Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ. Open Mar 27–Nov 1 daily 10am–5.30pm. Admission Castle: adult £14.75; senior & student £11.40; child 5–16 £7.60; under 4 free. Garden: adult £12.10; senior & student £10.45; child 5–16 £4.40; under 4 free. Castle & Garden: £25.10; senior & student £21.45; child 5–16 £10.40; under 4 free; family £62.70. All tickets are cheaper if bought ahead of time online. Alnwick is two hours from Edinburgh on the A1.