Alnwick Castle photo by Paul Harrop-Wikimedia Commons.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Alnwick Castle


 

Alnwick Castle is a castle and country house in Alnwick in the English county of Northumberland. It is the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland and it was built following the Norman conquest.

The castle has been renovated and remodeled a number of times and it is a Grade I listed building. However, as of the year 2012, the castle received over 800,000 visitors per year combined with the adjacent attraction of the Alnwick Garden.

The castle is the home of the famous Percy family for over 700 years and it is known to some as the “Windsor of the North”.

And today Alnwick Castle remains the seat of the Dukes of Northumberland with its current owner a member of the Percy family. Here are 10 fascinating facts about Alnwick Castle.

Alnwick Castle photo by Hadrianus1959-Wikimedia Commons.

1. Alnwick Castle is located near the River Aln in the English Town of Alnwick

Alnwick Castle is strategically located near the River Aln in the English town of Alnwick.

However, the small market town is located in the county of Northumberland which is a county bordering Scotland in the north of England.

Alnwick Castle photo by Phil Thomas-Wikimedia Commons.

2. Alnwick Castle is the Current Seat of the 12th Duke of Alnwick

The current Duke and his family live in the castle however they occupy only a part of it since the castle is open to the public throughout the summer.

Interestingly after Windsor Castle, Alnwick is the second largest inhabited castle in England and also it is still the tenth most visited stately home in England with 195,504 visitors in 2006 according to the Historic Houses Association.

Furthermore, this figure has increased significantly in the subsequent decade. 

Alnwick Castle photo by mariosp-Wikimedia Commons.

3. Alnwick Castle has been used as a Filming location for Many Movies and TV shows

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.

The castle has been featured in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and The philosopher’s stone as well as Transformers The Last Knight and Downton Abbey.

Alnwick Castle photo by Dbrooke1829-Wikimedia Commons.

4. Alnwick Castle underwent several Renovations in the first five Centuries

Alnwick Castle underwent several renovations in its first five centuries and the most major of which was commissioned by Henry Percy the First Baron Percy of Alnwick.

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

5. Alnwick Castle was Built in the 11th Century

Alnwick Castle was built in the 11th century to control and protect the border and symbolize status and power for the new Norman barons across the country.

However, as a result of its role in history the castle boasts numerous defenses including 2-meter-thick walls, a 7-meter-deep moat, two baileys, and thick oak gates.  

6. Alnwick Castle has a Garden that Covers 26 Acres

The Alnwick Garden covers over 26 acres and has many unique features in it.

However, one of the more interesting features in the garden is the poison garden which has been part of the Alnwick garden since 2004 and contains a number of deadly and dangerous plants.

Amongst the gardens, deadlier inhabitants are nightshade, foxglove, Christmas rose, euphoria, mandrake, and hemlock amongst many others.

Interestingly the reason for having all these deadly plants is for educational purposes as the Duchess wanted this section to be “a place for visitors to learn about the deadly side of plants.”

Today the garden is the third most visited public garden in the UK.

7. Yves de Vescy, the Baron of Alnwick Erected the Castle in the 11th Century for Protection against Invasion from Scotland

In the 11th Century Yves de Vescy, the Baron of Alnwick constructed the castle and its fortifications for protection against invasions from Scotland.

However, it proved to be a good move as the castle was attacked twice by William the lion king of Scotland in 1172 and again in 1174.

8. Alnwick Castle Landscape was Designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown in 1750

In the year 1750, the grounds surrounding the castle were landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown.

However, during world war II the Percy family did its part to aid in the war effort by growing its own vegetables.

Jane Percy the current and 12th Duchess of Northumberland began the project for current gardens in 1997 with the help of designers Jacques and Peter Wirtz for a cost of 42 million Euros.

9. Alnwick Castle Has Over 150 Rooms

There are over 150 rooms in Alnwick castle and only six of them are open to the public.

In addition to the exhibits, the lavish State Rooms, Drawing Room, Dining Room, and the library are available to the public to tour.

However, the library’s collection was begun over 400 years ago and now includes more than 16,000 books.

10. Alnwick Castle was once Abandoned

In the 16th Century, the castle became abandoned and was even temporarily used as a prison.

However, it was until the second half of the 18th century that the work to maintain the castle was continued by the Percy family who was elevated to “Dukes” in 1766 by King George III.