Fancy Some Quidditch at Alnwick Castle?

Northumberland or Bust! 

Alnwick Castle

One of the fairly nearby places we've wanted to explore is Northumberland. Less than a three-hour drive away, it's a beautiful seaside county just south of the Scottish boarder. We decided to spend Easter weekend up there, staying both Friday and Saturday nights, and exploring the area. On our drive up on Friday, we stopped and explored Alnwick Castle (pronounced Ann-ick), home of the Duke of Northumberland.

My attempt at quid ditch

Although Alnwick Castle has a long and storied history, I know it as the home of Hogwarts' Quidditch training field of the first two Harry Potter movies. The current (12th) Duke of Northumberland is (or, more likely, his people are) pretty savvy and let you practice your broom flying in the field… after paying admission, of course!

Alnwick Castle, AKA broom flying class

This castle was also used in the first season of Rowan Atkinson's Black Adder, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, staring Kevin Costner, Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett, and more recently, one of Downton Abbey's Christmas specials.

Entrance to the castle courtyard

The castle was first built in the early Norman period (1066 - 1200AD) and has had many a restoration and facelift in the almost 1,000 years since. It was often raided in Scottish/English border disputes until the late 1500s, and was besieged at least five times in the years 1462 - 1464 alone during the War of the Roses.

Inside the castle yard

More recently, the castle has been a dormitory and school for girls during World War II, and part of the castle is currently used by American students from the St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Another view of the castle courtyard's entrance

As with many of these noble manor houses, we were only allowed to photograph the outside. But we were able to go through the state rooms, such as the

• guard chambers: decorated with hundreds of pistols, powder flasks, horns, swords, soldier pikes, etc. 
• ante-library: a fancy sitting room.
• library: 3-stories tall and lined with books… and a roped-off area with sofas and a flat screen TV; yes, a family still lives here.
• saloon: guided ceiling, mirrors, and art frames, ornate furniture) this is where the men retired to gamble, drink, and talk politics.
• drawing room: more gilded and ornate finery, this is where the ladies retired to do needlework and gossip.

Castle courtyard

• dining room: an ornately carved wooden table set for 20 with golden candelabras, green damask chairs and matching wallpaper. 
• breakfast room: a much less highfalutin dining room.
• china gallery: a purpose built hallway showcasing the Duke of Northumberland's hand-painted china collection.
• chapel: re-built in the 1700s, this 5-row, 10 pew chapel was last used by the family for a wedding in the 1970s.   

Castle's back yard

Walking around the castle walls, many of the former guard towers have been converted into mini museums showcasing different historical artifacts found on the property. We saw items dating back to Roman times and earlier celtic. They also had shields and other military equipment dating back to the 14th century. 

One last view of the castle...

After several hours exploring the castle and a quick stop in their tea room for a spot of lunch, we headed back into Alnwick city centre to check out a a used book store we saw as we drove through to the castle. 

Barter books

Barter Books is EXCELLENT! The owners converted the old train station and the shop is beautiful, quirky, and rather extensive. If you ever find yourself in Alnwick - don't miss the castle, or the bookshop! 

And remember, it's pronounced Ann-ick!