Name: Alnwick Castle
Rating: 5.0

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

1073
0
0

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Alnwick Castle is a historic castle with over 900 years of history, offering a mix of heritage, adventure, and interactive experiences. It is famous for its grand State Rooms, ancient battlements, and as a filming location for popular productions like Harry Potter. Visitors can explore history brought to life through exhibitions, tours, and live activities.

The castle features beautifully decorated State Rooms, the historic Great Kitchen, scenic grounds along the River Aln, and multiple museums showcasing artefacts and stories of the Percy family. Activities include guided tours and talks, Broomstick Training, Have-a-go Archery, and interactive experiences at the Artisans Courtyard & Dragon Quest. Visitors can also enjoy walking, picnics, photography, and exploring towers, exhibitions, and themed areas throughout the site.

Ticket prices include Adult £22.00 (Web) / £24.45 (On the gate), Concession £17.90 / £19.90, Child (5–16) £11.60 / £12.90, and Family £64.20 / £71.35, with free entry for children aged 0–4. Private hire is available for events and celebrations, with prices starting from £89 per person.

Overall, it offers a rich blend of history, entertainment, and hands-on activities in a stunning setting. The variety of experiences makes it enjoyable for both history enthusiasts and families. With its iconic status and immersive attractions, it is a must-visit destination in Northumberland.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

The Castle

Castle: Alnwick Castle is where centuries of history meet unforgettable adventure. Step inside our magnificent State Rooms, wander along ancient battlements and immerse yourself in over 900 years of stories brought to life through exhibitions, interpretation and live entertainment. There’s plenty to enjoy at Alnwick Castle every day. Alongside special events and performances, you can join a guided tour to discover the castle’s history or its role as a filming location, try your hand at archery, or even learn to fly a broomstick in the very spot where Harry Potter first soared.
The State Rooms: Within the castle's keep, you'll find our beautifully decorated State Rooms, which include the Upper and Lower Guard Chambers, the Library, the Drawing Room, the Saloon, the Dining Room, and the China Gallery. In the 1850s, the 4th Duke of Northumberland began restoring Alnwick Castle. He employed the help of an English architect, Anthony Salvin, for work on the exterior, and the Italian architect, Commendatore Luigi Canina, to design the castle’s interior. The stylistic design of Alnwick Castle was inspired by the 16th-century palaces of Rome with influences from other Italian cities.
The Great Kitchen: Explore and discover the history of Alnwick Castles historic kitchens as we continue our transformative four-year project to rediscover, restore, and revitalise the Great Kitchen. Over the years, the kitchens have served many purposes. During World War II, they housed evacuees as part of Newcastle Church High School’s evacuation efforts. Later, they became a hub for teacher training under Northumberland County Council, and from the 1970s, they were used by St. Cloud State University. Despite their history, the kitchens have never been accessible to the public—until now.
Alnwick Castle Grounds: Alnwick Castle’s Grounds are a blend of history, natural beauty, and peaceful spaces to explore. Stretching from the River Aln to the Castle’s ancient walls, the Grounds provide a perfect setting for gentle walks, picnics, photography, or simply enjoying the scenery. The Pastures, located just north of Alnwick Castle, were designed in the 18th century by renowned landscape architect Capability Brown. This scenic parkland features sweeping views and peaceful reflections of the castle in the River Aln.
Castle Museums: A visit to Alnwick Castle offers a journey through history. Explore the legendary The Percy family’s stories, the castle's architectural evolution, and its diverse museum collections. Whether you're intrigued by archaeological artefacts at the Castle Museum, learning about the Percy family in the Constable’s Tower, or discovering the history of local veterans at the Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland, there’s something for everyone.

Activities

Artisans Courtyard & Dragon Quest: Journey back in time with a visit to Artisans Courtyard, where you can explore the fascinating world of medieval life, from crafts and costumes to swords and knights. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you through a variety of hands-on activities and games, offering an exciting opportunity to learn and engage with history in a fun and interactive way. Whether you’re fascinated by medieval weaponry or eager to try your hand at historical games, there’s something for everyone in the Artisans Courtyard!
Talks & Tours: Uncover more when you join one of our daily tours and talks. From tales of medieval Border warfare and knights like Harry Hotspur, to details of Georgian and Victorian restorations, as well as stories from the Castle's appearances on film and television, there's always more to discover on a visit to Alnwick Castle.
Broomstick Training: Join one of our famous Broomstick Training sessions, held in the very location where Harry Potter had his first flying lesson in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone—or channel the spirit of our own Wizard Earl, Henry Percy, the 9th Earl of Northumberland, who ruled Alnwick Castle over 400 years ago. With expert guidance from our instructors, you’ll learn basic skills such as cornering, manoeuvring, accelerating, and braking.
Have-a-go-Archery: Follow in the footsteps of those who have graced Alnwick Castle over centuries past. Unleash your inner archer and try your hand at one of England's oldest skills! Our Have-a-Go Archery sessions are held daily on the Archery Lawn (weather permitting).

Facilities

Parking: Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden share a car park where there is a charge of £3.75 for a day of parking, starting from 9am.
Food & Drinks: A visit to Alnwick Castle wouldn’t be complete without a delicious snack or meal. We have several options for refreshments, from fresh paninis at our Armoury Takeaway, to comforting British classic fish and chips at our Stables Fryery and delicious soups and savoury bites at our Courtyard Cafe.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult (17+ years – 59 years): Web £22.00 / On the gate £24.45
Concession (60+ years and students in full time education): Web £17.90 / On the gate £19.90
Child (5–16 years): Web £11.60 / On the gate £12.90
Child (0–4 years): Web Free / On the gate Free
Family (2 adults and up to 4 children): Web £64.20 / On the gate £71.35
Single Parent Family (1 adult and up to 4 children): Web £43.10 / On the gate £47.90

Pricing URL: https://www.alnwickcastle.com/plan-your-visit/visitor-information/opening-times-ticket-prices

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Private Hire at Alnwick Castle

Host your dinner event in a venue defined by history and presence. At Alnwick Castle, gala dinners, celebrations and corporate dining occasions are delivered in a setting that combines heritage with a warm Northumbrian welcome, making Alnwick Castle one of the most sought-after venues Alnwick has for private hire. Whether you are planning a private dinner or a large-scale formal event, our experienced team will manage every detail.

Guest Hall Capacities | Banquet 180 | Cabaret 102
Prices start from £89 per person

Grounds: 10am – 5pm (Last entry: 3:45pm)
State Rooms: 10:30am – 4:30pm (Last entry: 4pm)
Great Kitchen: 10:30am – 5pm
Artisans Courtyard & Dragon Quest: 10am – 5pm
Postern Tower & Constable’s Tower: 10am – 5pm
Fusiliers of Northumberland Museum: 11am – 5pm (Last entry: 4:30pm)

Address: Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ, UK

Post Code: NE66 1NQ

Council: Northumberland

County: Northumberland

By foot: Are you staying in Alnwick? We’re a 7-minute walk from the very centre of the town, so you can enjoy a picturesque stroll before or after your Alnwick Castle visit.
By car: If you’re driving, the best way to reach us is to follow directions to NE66 IYU. We’re a mile from the A1 and well-signposted, so whether you’re travelling from the North or the South, the journey should be straightforward.
By bus: You can easily reach Alnwick Castle by local or regional bus. If you’re heading over from Newcastle, the X15 or X18 Arriva bus will take you to Alnwick Bus Station — a 5-minute walk from the castle. Alternatively, if you’re coming from Berwick-upon-Tweed, you can also take the X15 southbound.
By train: The closest train station to Alnwick Castle is in Alnmouth, which is around four miles away. From the station, you can catch a taxi or the X18 bus, which will take you directly into Alnwick town centre. We’re then a short walk away.