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When in Northumberland, England, the one castle that is on everyone’s list is the Alnwick Castle. This is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. It is home to the Duke and the Duchess of Northumberland. The iconic castle is a favourite spot, not only because of its rich history, but also because of the fact that the Harry Potter series have been filmed here. The Alnwick Castle conducts various events inspired by the wizardry of Potter that you and your family can participate in!
Everything you need to know about visiting the castle, its museums and garden, while also taking part in any or all of the events going on, is given below in detail.
To purchase tickets, or rather, to unlock your tickets to this magnificent castle, visit their official website at alnwickcastle.com. Here you will find tickets to the Alnwick Castle as well as the Alnwick Garden.
Visitors can access the Alnwick Castle all through the season opening. During this time, the castle can be visited from 10AM to 5:30PM. Here’s a list of all the timings, as provided by the website:
| Place | Time |
| Castle grounds and museums | 10.00 am - 5.30 pm |
| State Rooms | 10.30 am - 4.30 pm |
| Artisans Courtyard | 10.00 am - 5.00 pm |
| Gift Shop | 10.00 am - 5.00 pm |
| Courtyard Cafe | 10.00 am - 5.00 pm |
| Armoury Takeaway | 10.30 am - 4.00 pm |
| Stables Fryery | 11.30 am - 3.00 pm |
The last entry to the castle grounds and museums, the State Rooms and the Artisans Courtyard is at 3:45pm, 4:00pm, and 4:30pm, respectively. Also, it is important to note that for various unforeseen causes, the entry timings might change. To be on the safe side, call the official authorities on 01665 511 100 for information before heading out.
There are two ways of getting a pass to the magical Alnwick Castle. The first way is to avail it at the gates and the other way is to book it online from the official website of the castle.
The reason why you should go for the second option is;
If you are travelling to Alnwick Castle on Arriva bus, then you get an additional 20% discount on tickets to the castle.
For those with combined tickets, the castle part of the ticket can be unlocked at the castle admissions. Once unlocked, you can visit the castle as many times as you wish within 12 months.
The ticket to the garden or the garden portion of the combined ticket is valid only for a day.
The price of tickets to Alnwick Castle vary depending on whether you have booked it online or are purchasing it at the gate. Booking online means availing a 10 per cent discount. Also, prices vary for adults and children, for family, for castle and garden combined, etc.
Castle Adult - £15.05 (£16.75 at the gate)
Castle Concession - £12.15 (£13.50 at the gate)
Castle Child (5-16yrs) - £7.95 (£8.85 at the gate)
Castle Child (4yrs and under)- Free
Castle Family (2 adults and up to 4 children)- £41.15 (£45.75 at the gate)
Castle and Garden Adult - £25.89 (£28.70 at the gate)
Castle and Garden Concession - £22.15 (£24.55 at the gate)
Castle and Garden Child (5-16yrs) - £11.23 (£12.45 at the gate)
Castle and Garden Child (4yrs and under)- Free
Castle and Garden Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) - £65.41 (£72.50 at the gate)
The Alnwick Castles and Garden with its history and magic are loved by both adults and children. Because of this, it makes for a fantastic family day out. To ensure that you do not spend most of your time in a line at the gate, it is recommended you book your tickets online. The concession ticket for a disabled person allows one free carer per ticket. Regrettably though, owing to the structure of the castle, there are some parts that are not accessible for disabled visitors.
When visiting the Alnwick Castle, here are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of the tour:
1. Plan ahead: The best way to ensure that you do not miss out on any of the important attractions when visiting the Alnwick Castle, plan in advance. Go through the official website and do a little research for yourself. You can even make a map of how you would like to explore the castle and its adjoining garden to get the best experience.
2. Book your tickets online : Many people who visit the Alnwick Castle end up spending most of their time in the lines at the gate or, depending on the rush, may even have to return home disheartened. To avoid this, book your tickets online. This also qualifies you for a 10 per cent discount on all types of tickets, that is, castle-only, garden-only, combined, and concessional.
3. Check what events are going on: Depending on which time of the year you are visiting the Alnwick Castle, there are various events that you can be a part of. Some of these events include dining events, seasonal events, evening events, etc. There are also different luncheons that are organized at the Courtyard Restaurant on important days like Mother’s Day that you can take your mom to. The menus are usually up on the website along with the additional charges.
4. The Harry Potter bonanza: Since the first two Harry Potter movies, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, were filmed at the Alnwick Castle, there is Potter-inspired entertainment that happens in the castle on special occasions. During Easter Holidays, you can experience a comical performance at the castle by characters based on the film. The days between 24th August and 31st August, which is considered the Wizarding Week, also sees a lot of magical events created around Harry Potter. These experiences are free with admission so you should make sure you don’t miss it if you are visiting the Alnwick Castle during this time of the year.
5. Outdoor cinema: As a part of its evening events for people visiting Alnwick Castle with family, the castle organizes outdoor cinema experiences. Even if it rains, the event continues. The ones who avail a VIP ticket have seating arranged for them. Fret not, the castle allows camping chairs as well as blankets that you can carry along. Before the film begins, you get to enjoy some snacks and can even go for a few drinks at the bar while enjoying the live music.
