Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle Review

The grandly scaled Alnwich Castle, on the edge of the town center, is known for its gardens as well as the castle itself. This is still the home of the dukes of Northumberland, whose family, the regal Percys, dominated the Northeast for centuries. Known as "the Windsor of the North," it has been remodeled several times since Henry de Percy adapted the original Norman keep. Nowadays Alnwick is used as a set for films, including the first two Harry Potter movies (the castle grounds appear as the exterior of Hogwarts School). In contrast with the cold, formidable exterior, the interior has all the opulence of the palatial home it still is. You see only 6 of the more than 150 rooms, but among the treasures are a galleried library, niches with larger-than-life-size marble statues, and Venetian-mosaic floors. Kids appreciate Knights' Quest, a mock training school for knights where they get to dress up and complete interactive challenges, and Dragon's Quest, a labyrinth designed to teach a bit of medieval history while providing a few harmless scares.