Location: Alnwick, Northumberland Map
Constructed: 11th century
Alnwick Castle, located in the market town of Alnwick in Northumberland, England, is a magnificent medieval fortress renowned as one of the finest and most intact castles in Britain. Situated approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Newcastle upon Tyne and 5 miles (8 kilometers) inland from the North Sea coast, it stands as the ancestral seat of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, who have resided there for over 700 years. Perched on a strategic bluff overlooking the River Aln, this imposing structure blends formidable defenses with palatial interiors, reflecting its dual role as a military stronghold and aristocratic residence. Today, managed by the Northumberland Estates, Alnwick Castle is a major tourist attraction, celebrated for its historical significance, architectural grandeur, and its starring role as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.
Alnwick Castle’s origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its
initial construction beginning around 1093 under Yves (or Ivo) de Vescy,
a Norman baron granted the Barony of Alnwick by William the Conqueror.
Built to secure the Anglo-Scottish border and suppress Saxon unrest in
Northumbria, the castle’s early form was a timber motte-and-bailey,
exploiting a natural ridge above the River Aln. By 1136, under Eustace
fitz John, who inherited through marriage to the de Vescy heiress, it
transitioned to stone, establishing a more permanent fortress amid
frequent border conflicts.
In 1309, Henry Percy, 1st Baron Percy,
purchased Alnwick from Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham, marking the start
of the Percy family’s enduring tenure. Elevated to the 1st Earl of
Northumberland in 1377, Henry’s successors fortified the castle against
Scottish raids, notably during the Wars of Independence (1296–1328) and
the Border Reivers’ era (14th–16th centuries). The castle saw action in
1172 and 1174, when William the Lion of Scotland besieged it
unsuccessfully, and again in 1215–1216 during the First Barons’ War,
when it surrendered to King John’s forces. Its defenses held firm
through the 14th century, but by the 15th century, during the Wars of
the Roses, the Percys’ Lancastrian allegiance led to its temporary
seizure by Yorkist forces after the Battle of Towton (1461).
The
castle’s military role declined post-Tudor unification, and by the 17th
century, during the English Civil War, it was garrisoned by Royalists
until slighted by Parliamentarians in 1648, though damage was minimal.
Neglect followed in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, with the 9th
Earl abandoning it for southern estates. A dramatic revival began in
1750 under Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, who restored it as a
family seat, commissioning architects like James Paine and Robert Adam
to transform it into a Gothic Revival masterpiece. Further enhancements
by the 4th Duke in the 19th century, under Anthony Salvin, solidified
its palatial character, while the 20th century saw it adapt to modern
tourism, notably as a Harry Potter filming location starting in 2001.
Alnwick Castle is a sprawling stone fortress, its architecture
evolving from a Norman keep to a Gothic Revival residence. Covering
about 7 acres (2.8 hectares) within its outer walls, it features a
robust outer bailey, an inner bailey with the keep, and luxurious state
rooms, all constructed from local sandstone that glows golden in
sunlight.
Outer Bailey: Enclosed by a 12th-century curtain wall,
reinforced in the 14th century, this vast courtyard spans the castle’s
perimeter, punctuated by seven semi-circular towers—Gun Tower, Warden’s
Tower, and others—rising 30–40 feet (9–12 meters). The barbican, a
fortified gateway with a portcullis, and the 14th-century gatehouse,
with its octagonal turrets, guard the northern entrance, adorned with
Percy heraldic symbols like the lion rampant.
Inner Bailey and Keep:
The heart of the castle, accessed via the barbican, features a polygonal
keep rebuilt in stone by 1150–1170. Its central courtyard is surrounded
by thick walls, with a postern gate on the southeast and a
well-preserved Constable’s Tower. The keep’s original Norman design was
softened by 18th-century Gothic additions, including pointed arches and
traceried windows.
State Rooms: Within the keep’s western range, the
1st Duke’s 1750s refurbishment created opulent interiors—drawing rooms,
dining halls, and a library—designed by Robert Adam with Italianate
plasterwork and Capability Brown’s landscaped vistas. The 4th Duke’s
19th-century work under Salvin added Victorian Gothic flourishes—vaulted
ceilings, oak paneling, and Pre-Raphaelite art by William Morris and
Edward Burne-Jones.
Towers and Defenses: The castle boasts additional
towers like the Abbot’s Tower and Falconer’s Tower, some with
battlements intact, and a moat-like ditch (now dry) enhancing its
medieval silhouette. The Record Tower houses historical archives, while
the Prudhoe Tower offers rooftop views.
The castle’s dual
nature—fortress and residence—is evident in its thick walls (up to 10
feet/3 meters) softened by elegant fenestration and landscaped gardens
designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown in the 18th century.
In 2025, Alnwick Castle remains a living heritage site, owned by the
12th Duke of Northumberland, Ralph Percy, and his wife Jane, who reside
in private apartments. Open to the public from late March to late
October (10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.), it draws over 200,000 visitors annually,
managed by Northumberland Estates. Admission is £20.50 for adults, £11
for children (5–16), with family tickets at £54.50, bookable online at
alnwickcastle.com. Located at Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ, it’s a
40-minute drive from Newcastle via the A1 or a 5-minute walk from
Alnwick town center, with parking (£5/day) nearby.
The castle’s
exterior is remarkably intact—curtain walls, towers, and gatehouse
standing tall—while the state rooms dazzle with Renaissance paintings
(Titian, Canaletto), Meissen porcelain, and 14,000 books in the library.
Guided tours (free with entry) explore its history, from Norman origins
to Percy lineage, while Harry Potter-themed activities—broomstick
training on the outer bailey (£3)—capitalize on its film fame as
Hogwarts in Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. Medieval
reenactments, falconry displays, and the “Dragon Quest” adventure add
interactive flair, taking 2–4 hours to fully explore.
The grounds
feature the Alnwick Garden (separate £15 entry), a modern marvel with
the Grand Cascade fountain, Poison Garden, and rose gardens, designed by
the Duchess in the 2000s. Facilities include cafés (The Treehouse, The
Potting Shed), shops selling Percy memorabilia, and accessible paths,
though the upper keep has steep stairs. The castle’s filming legacy
extends beyond Harry Potter to Downton Abbey and Robin Hood: Prince of
Thieves, enhancing its pop-culture allure.
Alnwick Castle embodies centuries of Northumbrian history, from its Norman frontier role to its Percy stewardship, symbolizing feudal power and aristocratic continuity. Architecturally, it bridges medieval fortification with Gothic Revival luxury, its evolution under Paine, Adam, and Salvin showcasing Britain’s shifting tastes. Culturally, its Harry Potter fame has made it a global icon, blending historical gravitas with modern fantasy, while its state rooms preserve an unparalleled collection of art and artifacts. As a Grade I listed building, it stands among England’s elite heritage sites, a living link to the medieval past and a vibrant present.
Alnwick Castle is situated in Alnwick, Northumberland county.
First portion of Alnwick Castle was constructed in 1096 by Yves
de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick after Norman invasion by William the
Conqueror. Its strategic location was supposed to defend against
the Scottish tribes in the North. It did not work very well and
in 1136 it was taken by the invading king David I of Scotland.
In the 14th century the castle was purchased by 1st Lord Percy
of Alnwick. He undertook an extensive renovation of Alnwick
citadel's defenses to match the warfare tactics. Abbot’s Tower,
the Middle Gateway and the Constable’s Tower date back to these
times. Over time however military importance of the castle have
decreased. Alnwick Castle was neglected until Hugh Smithson and
Elizabeth Seymour inherited it becoming the 1st Duke and Duchess
of Northumberland. They undertook a major reconstruction of the
Alnwick Castle, turning it into a fashionable residence. Over
time new features were added including electricity in 1889 that
was delivered by a hydro plant near by. Today it serves as an
open museum. Alnwick Castle keeps medieval charm that is often
used by movie makers for filming locations. This includes:
Becket, Ivanhoe, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Elizabeth and
pretty much all of the Harry Potter movies.
Local legend
claim that one of the lords of the castle who lived in Alnwick
Castle in the twelfth century turned into a vampire after his
death. By day he lived underneath the castle, but at night it
emerged from his hiding place. When he attacked local villagers
who ventured too close to medieval citadel. Historian William of
Newburgh recorded these events. During the Black Death in the
middle of the 14th century casualty rate went through the roof.
Villagers blamed the vampire for these deaths and his body was
recovered and burned. Today some people claim they see a shadowy
figure that walks around his former possessions of Alnwick
Castle.