Alnwick Castle and Gardens Walk

Route Description for Alnwick Castle and Gardens Walk

As the majority of the Alnwick Castle and Gardens Walk takes place right in Alnwick, there is a fair amount of the route that follows along roads. Be sure to keep a close eye if you are travelling with children and exercise caution in regards to traffic. Additionally, this is a popular area for tourists, so you will definitely want to arrive early to secure parking. Those that want to explore the castle will need to pay a fee to do so.

While it may be a popular tourist destination, Alnwick Castle and its gardens really do make for a fun day outdoors. Even if you do not plan on purchasing a ticket and exploring the castle itself, this route will lead you through the charming town of Alnwick and around the perimeter of the castle grounds, so that you can gaze out upon an iconic Norman-Era castle that was used to film a variety of movies and shows, such as Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. This is a fantastic excursion that offers plenty of views and will keep the entire family engaged throughout.

Setting out from the trailhead, you will make your way south along Narrowgate for a short distance, passing by a number of restaurants and shops, before making a right onto Fenkle Street. From here, you will keep south across Market Street and pass through Dodd’s Lane, working your way through the buildings until you arrive at St Paul’s Memorial Garden.

Heading left on Prudhoe Street, you will continue on to the east and turn right on B6346, before making the next left onto Infirmary Drive to skirt around the edge of the park. After doing so, you will meet up with Denwick Lane and follow it to the northeast, where you will have some amazing views to your left overlooking the grounds of Alnwick Castle and its extravagant gardens.

After crossing over the River Aln, you will pick up the footpath on the left and follow it west in order to make your way along the river bank. Take your time in this section, as the lovely riverside setting makes for a pleasant walking experience and you will be able to enjoy some wonderful views of the castle to the southeast.

Eventually, you will arrive at The Lion Bridge and turn left in order to cross back over the River Aln. From here, you will continue south along the road and have a close up view of the castle, before returning back to the trailhead having completed the Alnwick Castle and Gardens Walk. Nearby, the Dirty Bottles is a great place to pop in for some post-walk refreshments.

Trail Highlights

Alnwick Castle

Constructed in approximately 1096 CE following the period of the Norman Conquest, Alnwick Castle is an imposing stone fortification that guards a crossing over the River Aln in Alnwick, Northumberland. It serves as the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, Ralph Percy, and has been remodelled extensively throughout its history. The castle and its grounds host an approximate 800,000 visitors each year and are often used as a filming location, most notably for Downton Abbey and Harry Potter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was filmed at Alnwick Castle?

Over the years, Alnwick Castle has been used as a filming location for a number of different projects, including Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and many more.

Who owns Alnwick Castle?

Alnwick Castle is owned and lived in by the 12th Duke of Northumberland Ralph Percy and his family.