Alnwick Castle, England

 Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the England; home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percys, for over 700 years. 

Combining magnificent medieval architecture with sumptuous Italianate State Rooms, Alnwick Castle is one of the UK’s most significant heritage destinations and best days out in Northumberland. 

The castle’s rich history is brimming with drama, intrigue, and extraordinary people; from a gunpowder plotter and visionary collectors, to decadent hosts and medieval England’s most celebrated knight: Harry Hotspur. 

Most famously in recent years, Alnwick Castle featured as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films. Scenes filmed at the castle include Harry’s first Quidditch lesson and the crash-landing of the flying Ford Anglia. 

Films which used the castle as a location include:

• 2002 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint; directed by Chris Columbus
• 2001 – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint; directed by Chris Columbus
• 1998 – Elizabeth Starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, and Christopher Eccleston; directed by Shekhar Kapur
• 1991 – Robin Hood Prince of Thieves Starring Kevin Costner and Alan Rickman; directed by Kevin Reynolds
• 1982 – Ivanhoe Starring Anthony Andrews and James Mason; directed by Douglas Camfield
• 1979 – The Spaceman and King Arthur Starring Kenneth More and Jim Dale; directed by Russ Mayberry, produced by Walt Disney
• 1971 – Mary, Queen of Scots Starring Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson; directed by Charles Jarrott
• 1964 – Becket Starring Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole; directed by Peter Glenville

Television programmes which used Alnwick Castle as a location:

• 2014 – Downton Abbey (Christmas special)
• 2013 – Robson Green’s Tales From Northumberland
• 2011 – Flog It
• 2011 – Ant and Dec’s Red or Black
• 2010 – Countryfile
• 2008 – Dickinson’s Real Deal
• 2007 – The Antiques Road Show
• 2005 – The Virgin Queen
• 2004 – Bloody Britain
• 2000 – A Dinner of Herbs
• 2000 – Watercolour Challenge
• 1999-2000 – Badger
• 1998 – A Knight in Camelot
• 1997 – Ivanhoe
• 1995-6 – The Famous Five
• 1995 – The Glass Virgin
• 1995 – The Fast Show
• 1995 – Antiques Roadshow
• 1994 – The Dwelling Place
• 1994 – Highway
• 1993 – The Clothes Show
• 1983 – The Black Adder

For a list of Ian Cook’s photography and TravelGumbo contributions, please click on this link.