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Harry PotterAlnwick Castle: tickets, prices and Hogwarts visit 2026
Located in Northumberland, in the north-east of England, Alnwick Castle is a medieval fortress, the home of the Percy family and one of the best-known Harry Potter filming locations in the UK. Its courtyards and fortifications were notably used to represent Hogwarts in the first two films of the series.
There is much more to the visit than Harry Potter. The State Rooms, medieval towers, collections, family activities and nearly 1,000 years of history can easily keep you busy for several hours. If you are travelling in the footsteps of the young wizard, you can even take part in broomstick training on the very spot where Harry learns to fly in the first film.
Alnwick Castle: key information
- Location: Alnwick, Northumberland, England.
- Opening season: seasonal, generally from late March to October.
- Usual grounds opening hours: 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 3:45pm.
- Adult online ticket: currently £22.
- Children: reduced price for ages 5 to 16 and free admission for ages 0 to 4.
- Visit duration: allow at least several hours; a full day gives you time to enjoy the tours and activities.
- Harry Potter: several scenes from the first two films were shot here.
- The Alnwick Garden: separate ticket required; admission is not included with the castle ticket.
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Why visit Alnwick Castle?
Alnwick is one of the great historic castles of northern England. The Percy family has owned it since 1309, and the castle remains a family residence while also opening to visitors for part of the year.
A visit combines several very different aspects: medieval architecture, aristocratic interiors, the history of the border between England and Scotland, art collections, family activities and film locations.
For Harry Potter fans, there is another obvious reason to visit: unlike some places that are simply associated with the series, Alnwick Castle was actually used as a filming location for Hogwarts.
Alnwick Castle and Harry Potter
Alnwick Castle appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the first two films in the series.
Several outdoor areas of the castle were used to bring Hogwarts to life. As you explore the courtyards, you can therefore recognise some of the locations without having to visit a film studio.
Which Harry Potter scenes were filmed at Alnwick Castle?
One of the most recognisable locations is the Outer Bailey. This is where Harry's first flying lesson was filmed for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, along with Neville Longbottom's memorable first flight.
Other scenes were filmed in the Inner Bailey, the castle courtyards and around Lion Arch. These areas appear in scenes showing the students exploring and moving through the grounds of Hogwarts.
Alnwick represents only part of Hogwarts on screen. Many other buildings and landscapes across the UK were combined to create the wizarding school. Discover them in our guide to Harry Potter filming locations in London and the UK.
Can you do broomstick training at Alnwick Castle?
Yes. The castle still offers its famous Broomstick Training in the Outer Bailey, on the very spot where Harry's first flying lesson was filmed.
The activity gives you the chance to learn a few broomstick moves and, above all, recreate the scene in the actual filming location. It is included with castle admission, but places are limited and sessions depend on factors including weather conditions.
If Broomstick Training is one of the main reasons for your visit, check the day's sessions and how to reserve your place as soon as you arrive.
What can you see at Alnwick Castle?
Even if you are not a Harry Potter fan, there is enough to see and do to spend a large part of the day at the castle.
The State Rooms
The State Rooms reveal the residential side of Alnwick. They contrast with the castle's military appearance and contain furniture, works of art and objects connected with the history of the Percy family.
Access and opening times may differ from those of the castle grounds. The State Rooms are currently generally open from 10:30am to 4:30pm, with last admission at 4pm.
The courtyards and fortifications
The different courtyards help visitors understand the defensive layout of the castle while also providing a chance to recognise several locations used on screen. The walls, towers and passageways also reflect Alnwick's strategic position in a region long shaped by conflicts between England and Scotland.
The towers and museums
Several other areas complete the visit, including the Postern Tower and Constable's Tower, as well as the museum dedicated to the Fusiliers of Northumberland. Some areas have narrow or spiral staircases, an inevitable feature of the castle's historic architecture.
Medieval activities
Alnwick places considerable emphasis on activities, particularly for families. Depending on the day's programme, guided tours, demonstrations, historical activities and entertainment offer different ways to discover the castle beyond simply exploring its rooms.
The Artisans Courtyard features activities inspired by medieval life, while other events and activities vary throughout the season.
Alnwick Castle in Downton Abbey and on screen
Harry Potter is far from the only production filmed at Alnwick. The castle was also used as a location for Downton Abbey, where it appears as Brancaster Castle.
Alnwick can also be seen in productions including Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, Transformers: The Last Knight, Elizabeth and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Its long screen career is easy to understand once you visit: the castle retains a spectacular historic appearance while offering large courtyards, fortifications and interiors that look very different from one another.
Alnwick Castle tickets and prices
Tickets can be purchased online or directly at the castle. Booking online currently offers a 10% saving compared with the gate price.
| 2026 prices | Online | At the gate |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (17-59) | £22 | £24.45 |
| Concession (60+ / full-time student) | £17.90 | £19.90 |
| Child (5-16) | £11.60 | £12.90 |
| Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) | £64.20 | £71.35 |
| Single-parent family (1 adult and up to 4 children) | £43.10 | £47.90 |
| Child (0-4) | Free | Free |
Prices may change, so always check the fare for your chosen date before booking.
A ticket valid for 12 months
One unusual advantage is worth knowing about: tickets purchased online are currently automatically converted into passes valid for 12 months from the date of your first visit.
They allow you to return to the castle at no extra cost during its normal opening periods. Tickets purchased at the gate can also be converted into an annual pass free of charge on the day of your visit.
If you regularly visit northern England or plan to return to Northumberland, keep your pass. Special ticketed events are not necessarily included.
Discount if you travel by train or bus
The castle currently offers a 20% admission discount for visitors arriving by public transport. The discount is applied at the gate on presentation of a valid bus or train ticket and may not be combined with online prices.
Before buying your ticket, compare the price that applies to your situation and the different options available for your visit date.
Alnwick Castle opening times
Alnwick Castle is not open all year round. The visitor season generally runs from late March until October, after which the castle closes to the public for the winter.
The opening hours currently published for the main areas are:
- Castle Grounds: 10am-5pm, last admission at 3:45pm;
- State Rooms: 10:30am-4:30pm, last admission at 4pm;
- Great Kitchen: 10:30am-4:45pm;
- Artisans Courtyard & Dragon Quest: 10am-5pm;
- Postern Tower & Constable's Tower: 10am-5pm.
Opening arrangements may change because of the season, private events, filming or conservation work. Check the official calendar before making a special journey to visit the castle.
How long do you need to visit Alnwick Castle?
Allow several hours to explore the castle and its main attractions. If you want to take part in activities, join a guided tour, explore the State Rooms and spend time at the filming locations, a full day is more comfortable.
The activity programme changes throughout the season. It can therefore be useful to check the day's schedule when you arrive and organise your visit around the sessions that interest you, particularly Broomstick Training.
How do you get to Alnwick Castle?
Alnwick Castle is located in the heart of Alnwick in Northumberland, less than one mile from the A1.
Getting there by train
The nearest railway station is Alnmouth, approximately 4 miles (6.5 km) from Alnwick. It is on the East Coast Main Line, making the area accessible from cities including London, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
From Alnmouth station, you can continue to Alnwick by taxi or take the X18 or X20 buses.
Alnwick can easily be included in a wider trip between England and Scotland. From London, the fastest rail journeys to Alnmouth take around 3 hours 15 minutes; from Edinburgh, the journey takes around one hour.
Getting there by bus
From Newcastle, the X15, X18 and X20 services connect with Alnwick. Alnwick Bus Station is then only a short walk from the castle.
Getting there by car
The castle is less than one mile from the A1. The main car park is located near Denwick Lane. Parking is currently subject to a charge.
If you are travelling around Northumberland by car, Alnwick is also a convenient stop before continuing towards the coast or Scotland.
Visiting Alnwick Castle with children
The castle is particularly well suited to families because children are not limited to walking through a succession of historic rooms.
Broomstick Training is naturally one of the most popular activities for young Harry Potter fans, while the medieval areas, Artisans Courtyard and activities offered throughout the season provide a good balance between history and more playful experiences.
Children under 5 enter free of charge. Visitors aged 16 or under must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
UK school holidays are naturally among the busiest periods. If your schedule is flexible, visiting on a weekday outside the school holidays generally gives you more freedom to explore the site.
Alnwick Castle accessibility
Because of the age and architecture of the castle, not every area is fully accessible. Surfaces include cobbles, grass and gravel, while some areas have steps and narrow spiral staircases.
Wheelchair access is therefore partial. The State Rooms also have several steps and some restrictions for electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
A limited number of mobility scooters are available free of charge by prior reservation. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other trained assistance dogs are welcome, and accessible toilets are available on site.
A companion accompanying a disabled visitor may also be eligible for free admission, subject to accepted proof of eligibility.
If accessibility is an important factor in your visit, check the official information before travelling to identify which areas are suitable for your individual requirements.
Is The Alnwick Garden included with the castle ticket?
No. This is a common source of confusion: Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden are two separate attractions.
A standard Alnwick Castle ticket does not include admission to The Alnwick Garden or Lilidorei. If you want to visit both the castle and the gardens on the same day, make sure you allow enough time and arrange tickets for both attractions.
This distinction is particularly important when planning your day, as a full visit to the castle alone can already take several hours.
History of Alnwick Castle
The history of Alnwick Castle stretches back almost a thousand years. An early Norman stronghold is associated with Yvo de Vescy in the late 11th century, in a region where control of the border between England and Scotland was of major strategic importance.
In 1309, Henry Percy acquired the Barony of Alnwick. The castle then became closely associated with the Percy family, one of the great aristocratic families of northern England.
Over the centuries, Alnwick evolved from a defensive fortress into an aristocratic residence. The buildings underwent several major periods of alteration, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, helping to explain the combination of medieval architecture and residential interiors seen today.
The castle remains associated with the Percy family more than 700 years after they acquired it, while welcoming visitors during its annual opening season.
Alnwick Castle or the Harry Potter Studio Tour: which should you choose?
The two attractions offer very different experiences and can easily complement one another.
Alnwick Castle is a genuine historic monument that was used as a filming location. You are therefore visiting real spaces used to represent the exterior of Hogwarts, but Harry Potter is only one part of the overall experience.
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The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, near London, is entirely dedicated to the making of the films and features many original sets, costumes and props.
If you are planning a wider Harry Potter trip around the UK, you can also ride the Jacobite Steam Train in the Scottish Highlands, often nicknamed the “Hogwarts Express”, or begin your London adventure at Platform 9¾ at King's Cross.
FAQ: Alnwick Castle
Is Alnwick Castle really the Harry Potter castle?
Alnwick Castle was used as a Hogwarts filming location in the first two Harry Potter films. However, it does not represent the entire castle seen on screen: several buildings, studio sets and visual effects were combined to create Hogwarts.
Which Harry Potter films were shot at Alnwick Castle?
Alnwick appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Can you do broomstick training at Alnwick Castle?
Yes. Broomstick Training gives visitors the chance to take part in a flying lesson at the location where Harry's first lesson was filmed. The activity is included with admission but depends on availability and conditions on the day.
How much does it cost to visit Alnwick Castle?
The current online adult admission price is £22, with reduced prices for children, students, seniors and families. Children aged 0 to 4 enter free of charge. Prices can change, so check the current rates when booking.
Is an Alnwick Castle ticket valid for one year?
Yes. Tickets purchased online are currently automatically valid for 12 months from the first visit, allowing unlimited return visits during normal opening periods. Some conditions and exclusions apply.
Is The Alnwick Garden included with the castle ticket?
No. The Alnwick Garden is a separate attraction and requires its own ticket.
What is the nearest railway station to Alnwick Castle?
The nearest railway station is Alnmouth, around 4 miles (6.5 km) from the castle. Taxis and the X18 and X20 bus services connect the station with Alnwick.
Can you visit Alnwick Castle from Edinburgh?
Yes. Trains connect Edinburgh with Alnmouth in around one hour on the fastest services. From there, you need to continue to Alnwick by bus or taxi. A day trip is therefore possible, although spending more time in Northumberland allows you to explore the area at a more relaxed pace.
Can you visit Alnwick Castle from London?
It is possible, but it makes for a long day. The fastest trains connect London with Alnmouth in around 3 hours 15 minutes, plus the onward journey to Alnwick. For most visitors, it is more enjoyable to include the castle as part of a trip through northern England rather than travelling there and back from London in a single day.
Is Alnwick Castle open in winter?
No. The castle operates seasonally and closes to visitors during the winter. The season generally runs from late March until October.
Summary
Alnwick Castle is one of Northumberland's most interesting attractions, both for its history and its role in the first two Harry Potter films. You can explore the courtyards used to represent Hogwarts, see the location of Harry's first flying lesson and, depending on the conditions that day, take part in Broomstick Training.
Allow several hours, or even a full day if you want to explore the State Rooms, fortifications, activities and tours. The castle opens seasonally, and The Alnwick Garden requires a separate ticket.
To continue your journey through the wizarding world, explore our guide to Harry Potter filming locations in the UK, from Alnwick Castle to the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Sources and useful links
Official sources
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