Alnwick Castle: home to Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and maybe the perfect day out?
Introduction to Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle tickets will gain you access to the filming location of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, a deep dive into Alnwick’s history and a glimpse into another way of life. However, with all this being said, is Alnwick Castle worth a family day out this summer?
Is Alnwick Castle value for money?
Ticket Price
The adult ticket for Alnwick Castle cost £20, as a student, I was able to use my student ID and pay £15 for a concession ticket meaning, overall, I paid £35 for entry to the castle (please note that this does NOT include entry to the Alnwick Castle Gardens and this will be discussed further down). The Castle ticket can be upgraded to an annual pass for no extra cost which is always a plus!
I would say I feel £20 is reasonable and £15 very reasonable for entry to the Castle. There was plenty to do and see whilst there whatever your age and whatever your historical interests.
Things to do
There were several state rooms open for viewing, a dragon quest for the young ones, an archaeological museum and there was another tower which housed lots of information about the Castle through the medieval times. There were also archery demonstrations, court jester shows, dress up stations and broomstick flying lessons which contributed to the overall bustling atmosphere making the Castle truly feel alive.
A tour of inside Alnwick Castle
The family home of the Duke Northumberland (seat of the Percy family since 1309) sits in the Northern market town of Alnwick and dominates the landscape around it with an easy grace. Built not long after the Norman Conquest, the Castle’s exterior is the perfect example of an intimidating English fortress whilst the interior has been renovated. Resultingly, there are numerous stately rooms, all opulently decorated, on offer. These included a dining room, china gallery, library and living room.
What’s missing?
Unfortunately, there were no stately bedrooms available to tour, nor were there any rooms pertaining to the servants and staff of the Castle through the years. For example, the Butler’s room and other rooms in the servant’s quarters were labelled as such but were either in use or being used as storage. I think that if even one of these rooms were open with information about who would have used the rooms throughout the years, it would have rounded off the experience nicely.
Harry Potter and Downton at Alnwick
A definite plus side of visiting Alnwick Castle is the additional sense of excitement fans of the Harry Potter franchise or Downton Abbey series will have. Both had scenes which were filmed at the Castle and familiar sites from the screen greet you as you explore which is always a thrill.
Historical Enrichment at Alnwick Castle
Negatives
I feel (like I often do in historical sites) that more information on the rooms and people who have lived in the Castle should be more readily available. Often, when there were the odd bits of information, they were without context. For example, in the dining room, there was some information about the role of the Duke of Northumberland in the Pilgrimage of Grace after the Break with Rome. Having studied this at A level, I immediately knew what this meant, however, if I had not studied this, I would probably haven been left with more questions than I started with. I feel like a few additional pieces of information could have made this experience more accessible and historically enriching to all.
Positives
However, the historical educational rating of the castle increases tenfold due to the archaeology museum and the Constable’s Tower Museum which offers lots of artefacts, information and video displays which I highly rated and thought were fantastic… If only there was more of this in the house!
The Gardens and Grounds at Alnwick Castle
Accessibility at Alnwick Castle
What’s good
The Alnwick Castle website states that there is partial access in the castle and grounds for wheelchair users. The State Rooms have stepped access to a place where there is a lift. The lift does not accommodate a wheelchair. This gives entry to some state rooms and exhibitions not including the Chapel. There are no ramps for wheelchair or scooter usage. Furthermore, if you pre-book, you can hire a motorised scooter for free. It should be noted that at times, the ground can be uneven.
What’s not
Unfortunately, due to the archaeological museum and the Constable’s tower exhibitions both being located in towers, there is no way to access these exhibitions other than to use the steep uneven stairs that lead up to them.
If you pay extra for entry to the gardens, you will be given a map that has different routes and areas colour coded for accessibility.
Conclusion
Whether you buy Alnwick Castle tickets as a Harry Potter or Downton Abbey fan, a history buff or a casual attendee, you are guaranteed an enjoyable day out as there is something for everyone.