Alnwick Castle – A Harry Potter Connection

Tour Alnwick Castle, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, a 12th-century fortress so iconic that it has been a location in two Harry Potter films and “Ivanhoe.”

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely one hour drive north toward the border between England and Scotland, where you will find the imposing Alnwick Castle. It may look familiar, especially to Harry Potter fans, as Alnwick (pronounced “Annick”) was used as the set for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films.

The castle has undergone numerous changes since the 12th-century, including the addition of a moat, numerous towers, and a luxury 18th-century Gothic residence. Perhaps most amazing, Alnwick has been home to the Percy family for more than 700 years, including Henry Percy, the famous knight better known as Hotspur.

There is much to see as you tour the castle’s interior. The lavish staterooms are filled with period furniture such as a pair of Cucci cabinets originally made for Louis XIV. The library holds nearly 14,000 books, some of which a Percy ancestor read while imprisoned in the Tower of London. The walls of the Grand Staircase are made of Carrara marble, and each 12-foot-long step is made from a single stone. Alnwick is also home to some wonderful paintings by Claude, Canaletto, Van Dyck and Titian.

The architectural highlights and stories of the castle’s history go on and on. The grounds are equally breathtaking, as you will discover strolling its gardens and parkland.

Following your visit, you will transfer back to the pier.