Alnwick Castle — Land & Legacy

About this place

Alnwick Castle was founded in 1096 as a Norman stronghold and has been the seat of the Percy family since 1309.

The state rooms contain a notable collection of Italian old masters, while the surrounding parkland was landscaped by Capability Brown.

A Grade I listed building, much of the medieval exterior reflects a substantial restoration by architect Anthony Salvin in the mid-19th century.

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History

The castle's origins lie in the Norman period, founded in 1096, and it passed to the Percy family in 1309, whose descendants still live there today as Dukes of Northumberland. Much of the medieval exterior seen today reflects a major restoration by the architect Anthony Salvin in the mid-19th century. Over the centuries the castle has served as a military outpost, a teaching college, and a wartime refuge for evacuees.

Architecture

The castle presents a formidable medieval exterior, substantially restored and remodelled by Anthony Salvin in the mid-19th century, while the interior was reworked into lavish state rooms in the Italianate style favoured by the Percy family. It is a Grade I listed building.

Worth knowing

Alnwick Castle is known as one of the filming locations for the early Harry Potter films, where its grounds stood in for Hogwarts. The castle remains the family home of Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland.

Gardens & grounds

The surrounding parkland was landscaped by Capability Brown, and sits alongside the separately run Alnwick Garden, which together draw over 600,000 visitors a year.

Facilities