Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is a large medieval castle in the town of Alnwick in Northumberland, England, with origins dating to the 11th century and a continuous role as a noble seat for many centuries. It is the historic seat of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, since the early 14th century.

The site offers extensive fortified architecture - including a Norman keep, gatehouse, curtain walls and walkable battlements - plus furnished state rooms open to the public. The adjoining visitor facilities include exhibitions and family activities; nearby formal gardens form part of the visitor circuit. The castle’s exterior has also been used as a recognizable film location for major productions.

Construction began after the Norman conquest in the 11th century; the core defensive structures date from that medieval period and were altered repeatedly. Ownership passed into the Percy family in the early 14th century and the complex was adapted and refurbished in later centuries to create the present mix of medieval and post-medieval interiors.

The castle sits in the market town of Alnwick in northern England, a short drive inland from the Northumberland coast and roughly 30 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne. The site occupies raised ground overlooking the town and surrounding parkland.

• Filming location: Exteriors and some interiors have been used for film and television productions, notably scenes identified with the Harry Potter films.
• Visitor access and times: Main public access includes guided tours of the state rooms and seasonal opening of the battlements; check seasonal opening times before visiting.

What to See #

• The Keep: Stone core with a medieval keep dating to the Norman period, forming the oldest defended part of the complex and visible from the main courtyards.
• State rooms: Largely 18th and 19th century state rooms and family apartments that are used for guided tours and display period furniture and portraits.
• Barbican and battlements: Curtain walls, gatehouse and battlements that visitors can walk around to view the town and surrounding parkland.
• Adjacent Alnwick Garden: Extensive contemporary gardens and visitor attractions sit adjacent to the castle and are managed separately from the historic fortress.