Alnwick Castle Facts and Figures

1096        the year construction on the castle is believed to have begun.

1309        home to the Percy family for over 700 years.

30km       the distance between Alnwick Castle and the England - Scotland border.

1750        the date the Percy family returned to restore the Castle.

1766        the date the Percy family were elevated to Dukes by George III.

14,000     the number of catalogued books in the Library.

112           Castle staff and members of the Percy family went to fight in the First World War.

2011         the date of the last official visit from The Queen.

2             Harry Potter movies were filmed here.

12            number of Dukes of Northumberland there have been at Alnwick Castle.

41            movies & TV shows Alnwick Castle has featured in.

Alnwick Castle was built in the 11th Century to control and protect the border, symbolising status and power for the new Norman barons across the country. A result of its role in history, the castle boasts numerous defences, including 2 metre thick walls, a 7 metre deep moat, two baileys and thick oak gates.

The castle was attacked by then King of Scotland, William the Lion, in 1173 and 1174. He was captured during the second attack and forced to pledge fealty to King Henry II.The Percy Family still live in the castle today.

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, second only to Windsor Castle.Alnwick Castle underwent several renovations in its first five centuries, the most major of which was commissioned by Henry Percy, the First Baron Percy of Alnwick.

The castle is still being renovated to this day, in order to continue to preserve and improve this important historic structure.

The grounds surrounding the castle were landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown. The works of “Capability Brown” are still renowned today as some of England’s most beautifully designed landscapes.

You can discover views of the characteristic features of “Capability” Brown's work here at Alnwick Castle from the terrace and ramparts on your next visit.

As well as being the residence for the current Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows.

It is perhaps most well known for its appearance in Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone, as well as Transformers: The Last Knight and Downton Abbey.

Today, Alnwick Castle is a popular tourist attraction in Northumberland, attracting visitors from across the region and further afield.

Plan your visit today and book your tickets online with us to automatically upgrade your day ticket to an annual pass, meaning you can enjoy all that the castle has to offer over the next twelve months whenever the castle is open to the public.