Alnwick Castle is a beautiful construction that is located in the city of the same name that is in the county of Northumberland, towards the north of England. In addition to the landscapes it offers, which seem to be taken from postcards, this castle in the last decade has become a very popular destination among lovers of the Harry Potter saga films.
 |
| Alnwick Castle |
A part of this place was built at the end of the eleventh century, in the year 1096, and with the purpose of protecting the northern border of England against the invasions of the Scots. And since those times, this castle has been the silent witness of battles, it has been occupied by different families and has undergone various renovations that made it the spectacular place it is today.
A part of this Alnwick Castle is the official residence of the Duke of Northumberland and his family, being the second largest of those that are inhabited in England, after Windsor Castle. And another large part is open to the public in the summer months, from April 1 to October 31, from 10 in the morning to 6 in the afternoon.
 |
| Alnwick Castle |
Every day in this castle it is possible for visitors to join one of the guided tours, which take them both through various parts of its interior and its surroundings. Some of the most enthusiastic on this tour are the children, who can see from popular Harry Potter characters due to the fact that parts of the films were filmed there, to participate in different events in which they become knights whose mission is to hunt down the dragon.
And to take a break it is recommended to go to the Café del Patio, which is spectacularly located with parts of the castle in the background and where you can take advantage of to drink or eat something, such as some local products. And if you want to have an unforgettable wedding, it is possible to rent rooms in the castle to do it, and many couples choose it because it makes that day even more incredible.
Alnwick Castle is located in Northumberland, England, and is the residence of the Duke of the same name. It was built after the Norman conquest and has been renovated and remodeled several times.
 |
| Alnwick Castle |
Yves de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick, erected the oldest part of the castle in 1096. It was built to defend the northern border of England against the Scottish invasion. The castle was besieged in 1172 and again in 1174 by William the Lion, King of Ecocia, who was finally captured outside its walls during the Battle of Alnwick.
In 1309 the castle was bought from the Bishop of Durham by Henry de Percy, who thereafter became Duke of Northumberland. The first Lord Percy of Alnwick restored the castle and the Abbot's Tower. In 1404 the Percys rebelled against Henry IV, who besieged and took the castle.
 |
| Alnwick Castle |
Since that time, several generations of the Percy family have passed through the fortress. In the seventeenth century the castle fell into decline until Elizabeth Seymur and her husband Hugh Smithson, later become Dukes of Northumberland, remodeled it giving a slight Gothic touch to its architecture.
From the beginning of the 19th century the castle was equipped with the most modern advances of the time, being one of the first residences in the north of England to have electricity. In 1889 a hydroelectric system was installed capable of producing enough energy to light 100 light bulbs.
 |
| Alnwick Castle |
Since the Second World War, different parts of the castle have been used for educational purposes. First it was a girls' school, then it became a teacher training center, and finally it became part of the Saint Cloud State University campus.
As a curiosity, it should be noted that this castle has recently been used to take various shots of "Hogwarts" in the Harry Potter films, although the panoramic images are made by computer. This castle also appears in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and in Ridley Scott's newest and recently released Robin Hood.
 |
| Alnwick Castle |
It is open to the public throughout the summer, and after Windsor Castle, it is the second largest inhabited castle in England, as it continues to be the residence of the Dukes of Nothumberland.