In the heart of the town is the magnificent Alnwick Castle. This is where scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot, where the castle became Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You can walk through the very corridors where Harry 'flew,' and even take a broomstick lesson to feel part of the magical world.
The castle has been the home of the Percy family for over 900 years and is the second-largest inhabited castle in the United Kingdom. It combines medieval architecture, luxurious Italian-style state rooms and unique art collections.
Nearby is one of the country’s most impressive gardens - The Alnwick Garden. More than 4,000 plant species grow here as the Grand Cascade fountains roar, and the mysterious Poison Garden hides deadly plants.
In spring (late April to early May), the world’s largest collection of Japanese Taihaku cherry blossoms bloom here. The petals swirl through the air like snow - a sight impossible to forget. In the Treehouse restaurant, you can dine among branches lit by thousands of tiny lights, as if in another dimension.
Whether you explore the castle, wander through the gardens, or stroll along the nearby coast, it’s a destination that truly feels like a fairytale escape.
Housed in Alnwick’s former Victorian railway station - now a beautiful architectural landmark - Barter Books is one of the largest second-hand bookshops in England, with over 350,000 books in a cosy and peaceful setting. Don’t miss the fantastic murals above your head at the entrance, and while browsing, visit the “Station Buffet” on the old platform. Barter Books is also known as the home of the famous “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster.
Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of a thriving medieval market town at the beautiful Market Place in Alnwick, the centre of local events, including St Michael’s Parish Church, the Alnwick International Music Festival, and local and continental markets. The Farmers’ Market also takes place on the last Friday of each month. St Michael’s Church, located near the castle on Bailiffgate, is Alnwick’s Anglican parish church. It was first built in Saxon times and later rebuilt in the 14th–15th centuries.
Aln Valley Railway at Lionheart Station near the A1 features an exhibition centre, shop and café. Visitors can take a train ride to Alnmouth on the coast, a route that first opened in 1850 and despite being closed in the 1960s, Aln Valley Railway continue to restore this train line to provide the service to visitors in the 21st century!
Alnwick is a place where history, nature and magic come together most charmingly. Whether you explore the castle, wander through the gardens, or stroll along the nearby coast, it’s a destination that truly feels like a fairytale escape.