Broomstick Training

Learn to fly: Broomstick Lessons at Alnwick Castle

Join one of our famous Broomstick Training sessions, that take place within the grounds where Harry Potter had his first flying lesson in the film production of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

With expert guidance from our instructors, you will be taught some basic skills from cornering and manoeuvring, to accelerating and braking.

Don’t forget to bring your camera and capture evidence of you and your levitating broomstick to amaze your family and friends back home!

Lessons occur at intervals throughout the day weather permitting. Please check the 'What's On' board on arrival for specific timings on the day of your visit.

How to take part

Sessions are free but require a free time-slot ticket and our staff will be able to advise on your arrival where to collect them from. You will be provided with a timeslot ticket, please keep this safe as you will need to show this at the start of your lesson. Only those with a valid ticket will be able to enter the outdoor classroom.

Broomstick Training is extremely popular, and tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limited number of spaces available for each lesson. We recommend collecting your tickets as soon as you arrive to try and avoid disappointment. Staff will distribute a maximum of 8 tickets per visiting group.

Private lessons are available for larger groups, please contact groups@alnwickcastle.com for more details. Must be booked in advance of visit.

We are particularly limited during peak times of the year such as school holidays. During this time tickets are prioritised for visitors ages 6 to 16 years.

What to expect during your lesson

The biggest thing you can expect, is to have lots of fun! Our expert wizards enjoy a good giggle, and we find that you learn better when you are enjoying yourself too, so feel free to laugh along with them.

Lessons will take place in the outdoor classroom set up on the Outer Bailey*. Please arrive for your lesson at the time on your tickets. If you are more than 5 minutes late for your session the professors will invite those without a ticket to take part.

Once you have completed the lesson, you will be able to take photos of your take-off to amaze your friends and family. How to do it is a closely guarded wizarding secret, but for all those who pass the training, our wizards will reveal all... Once you have your pictures, make sure to share them with us on Facebook, TikTok, X or Instagram with #alnwickcastle.

*location subject to change, please check with a member of staff when you collect your tickets

Safety first

This activity is weather permitting. If our runway becomes too wet and slippery, of if conditions are too windy, for safety reasons lessons will not be able to take place. When possible, we will have a photo opportunity with wizards and brooms in the Artisans Courtyard.