Alnwick Castle
The second-largest inhabited castle in England, home to the Duke of Northumberland. Famous as a Harry Potter filming location.
About Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle has been home to the Percy family, Dukes of Northumberland, for over 700 years. It is the second-largest inhabited castle in England and one of the most visited attractions in the North East. The castle gained worldwide fame as a filming location for the first two Harry Potter films, and broomstick training sessions remain a popular activity for young visitors. Inside, the lavish State Rooms house one of the finest art collections in the country, including works by Canaletto, Titian, and Van Dyck. The castle grounds offer stunning views over the River Aln and the Northumberland countryside. Open seasonally from late March to October.
Featured in These Guides
Blog posts and guides that feature Alnwick Castle.
Alnwick Castle Celebrates the Northumbrian Smallpipes and the Duke's Piper
A special weekend at Alnwick Castle put the spotlight on the Northumbrian smallpipes and the centuries-old tradition of the Duke's Piper, with performances, have-a-go sessions and a pipers' gathering.
Corporate Christmas Party Venues in Alnwick
Alnwick sells the work Christmas do three ways: a seat at a shared party night, a room of your own in town, or a country house a short drive out. Published prices, real capacities, and how everybody gets home from a town with no railway station.
Family Activities in Alnwick: Days Out with the Kids
The best family days out in Alnwick, from the castle and The Alnwick Garden to Lilidorei, Barter Books and rainy-day soft play, grouped by type so you can plan around the weather.
Interesting Facts About Alnwick
From a castle that became Hogwarts to the rediscovery of the Keep Calm and Carry On poster, a medieval game of football and a garden full of poison, here are the stories that make Alnwick so distinctive.
Halloween in Alnwick
Arguably the North East's best Halloween town: family half-term at Alnwick Castle, Spookydorei at the Alnwick Garden, a ghost walk through the old streets and haunted Chillingham nearby.
Best Wedding Venues in Alnwick
From the ramparts of Alnwick Castle to coastal country houses and restored Northumberland barns, some of the finest wedding venues in the North East.
Northumberland Monopoly Unveiled at Alnwick Castle, Have Your Say
A Northumberland edition of Monopoly has been announced at Alnwick Castle, and residents are invited to nominate the local places and landmarks that should feature. Nominations close on 26 July.
Local Museums and Archives Near Alnwick
Bailiffgate Museum in a listed church, Alnwick Castle's collections, the Fusiliers Museum, and the Northumberland Archives at Woodhorn -- a guide to the museums and archives within reach of Alnwick.
Historic Trades and Crafts of Alnwick
Tanners, cordwainers, blacksmiths, weavers, coopers, and the ten incorporated companies of freemen -- the traditional trades that sustained Alnwick as a market town for centuries.
Alnwick in World War II
RAF Boulmer, the castle as a wartime school, evacuees from Newcastle, the Home Guard, and the war memorial with 76 names -- Alnwick in the Second World War.
Heritage Walking Trail: A Self-Guided Tour of Alnwick
From Alnwick Castle to Barter Books, a self-guided walking trail through 900 years of history -- medieval gatehouses, the Percy dynasty, cobbled streets, and one of the finest gardens in England.
The Percy Dynasty: 700 Years at Alnwick Castle
From Henry de Percy's purchase in 1309 through Harry Hotspur, the Wars of the Roses, the Gunpowder Plot, and the Duchess's Alnwick Garden -- the story of one of England's great dynasties and the castle they have called home for seven centuries.
Upcoming Events
Events that feature or are connected to Alnwick Castle.
Tastes Through Time at Alnwick Castle
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Tastes Through Time at Alnwick Castle
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Heritage Craft Day at Alnwick Castle
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM · Artisans Courtyard and Guest Hall, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Northumbrian Pipes at Alnwick Castle
From 10:30 AM, performances through the day · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Northumbrian Pipes at Alnwick Castle
From 10:30 AM, performances through the day · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Tom Fool at Alnwick Castle
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM · Inner Bailey, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Tom Fool at Alnwick Castle
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM · Inner Bailey, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Tom Fool at Alnwick Castle
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM · Inner Bailey, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Book Talk with Dan Jones: Castles, A Fortified History of the World
7:30 PM, doors 7:00 PM · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Past Events
Recent events connected to Alnwick Castle.
Newcastle Garrison: Bang! Napoleonic Cannon Firing
3 October 2026 · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
An Evening of Food History with Ivan Day
25 September 2026 · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ
Northumbrian Piping Weekend at Alnwick Castle
19 September 2026 · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ
Newcastle Garrison: Napoleonic Cannon Firing
5 September 2026 · Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ
More Sports & Leisure in Alnwick
Alnwick Town AFC
Alnwick's senior non-league football club, nicknamed the Magpies, playing at St James' Park. For 2026-27 they compete in the Ebac Northern League Division Two.
Alnwick Town Juniors FC
Alnwick's FA-accredited grassroots junior football club, running teams for boys and girls from its Greensfield home with a 3G all-weather pitch and clubhouse.
The Alnwick Garden
Stunning 12-acre contemporary garden featuring the Grand Cascade fountain, the Poison Garden, a cherry orchard, and the famous Treehouse.
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What's On
Spookydorei Days at Lilidorei
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM from 24 October) · Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1YU
The Pumpkin Garden at The Alnwick Garden
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM from 24 October) · The Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick, NE66 1YU
Bullfield Community Orchard Apple Pressing Day
See website · Bullfield Community Orchard, Alnwick