Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is located in the picturesque town of Alnwick, Northumberland, England. The gently rolling hills surrounding Alnwick Castle as well as the castle itself have seen many years of battles, blood shed, and death.

Alnwick Castle has also seen as many years of life, growth, and success. For over 700 years one family, the Percys, have owned Alnwick Castle. Although there were periods of time when others have taken over the castle, it eventually and is still to this day occupied by this dynamic family. The first Percy to live at Alnwick Castle was in the 1300s when the 1st Lord Percy of Alnwick was granted the castle. He proceeded to renovate large portions of the castle of which many still stand today.

You may have actually visited Alnwick Castle without even knowing. If you have seen any of the Harry Potter films where "Hogwarts" (the school Harry attends) is shown you have in fact seen Alnwick Castle. The caste was the setting for many of the interior and exterior shots of "Hogwarts". Alnwick Castle has been featured in dozens of other movies and television shows including the 2010 version of 'Robin Hood', the 1998 movie 'Elizabeth', and 'Mary, Queen of Scots' in 1971.

Some areas of Alnwick Castle house educational facilities (since 1945). First by the Newcastle Church High School for Girls, next a training college for teachers, and from 1981 to present by St. Cloud State University. However, three of the castle towers Postern, Constable's, and Abbot's house exhibitions and museums for visitors to enjoy. Alnwick Castle also offers a café, restaurant, and gift shop.

On the castle grounds, visitors can also visit "Alnwick Garden". 42 acres of formal gardens surround a magnificent fountain. Along the River Aln there is a smaller park known as 'The Pastures' and not too far away is Hulne Park.

In Alnwick, you can enjoy shopping, festivals, galleries, and theaters along with housing and a variety of eating establishments. The town still sports the medieval market town atmosphere right down to many cobble streets, narrow alleys, and stone buildings. Alnwick is also home to 'Barter Books one of the largest second hand book stores in England.

Of course, every castle has to have a 'ghost story' and Alnwick Castle is no different. The story goes that one of the servants at the castle was not a very nice man but to add insult to injury there were rumors of his unfaithful wife. Hiding above her bed to 'catch her in the act' he fell and died the next day.

After his burial, he was seen wandering the streets and at the same time a horrid sickness came over the town killing many people. Finally, the local Priest organized a group of town leaders and they all went to the cemetery to dig up the servant's grave. When they opened the casket, blood began to ooze from the body. They immediately took the body out and burned it. The illness in the town vanished shortly. The 'ghost' was never seen again.

Note from the author - I have a personal interest in Alnwick Castle. Although I have never visited myself, I would love to some day not because I have a great interest in English history but because casual research into my family history indicates I could be a direct descendant of the Percy family. The 1st Lord Percy of Alnwick would be my 24th or 25th great-grandfather if research is correct.