Stepping into this village is akin to entering a real-life fairytale, with its enchanting castle attracting visitors and film enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.

Tucked away in Northumberland, far from the coastline, lies the delightful village of Alnwick, pronounced ‘Anick’. Within this tranquil town stands a ‘spellbinding’ castle that not only holds a wealth of history but may also bear a striking resemblance to a famous one seen on your television screens.

Alnwick Castle took centre stage in the  Harry Potter films as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with its grounds serving as the backdrop for some of the series’ most iconic scenes. Film buffs have plenty to explore both inside and out, including the opportunity to take a broomstick lesson at the very spot where Harry, Ron and Hermione first learnt to fly during their inaugural year at Hogwarts.

Another unforgettable scene filmed right on the castle’s grounds is the flying car crash disaster, which ended up in the Inner Bailey. Not to mention, Harry’s pivotal Quidditch practice scenes were shot in the Outer Bailey area of the castle.

Beyond its Hogwarts fame, the castle is the second largest inhabited one in the UK, home to the Percy family for over 900 years. The Grade I listed building is believed to have been initially constructed in 1096 to guard the border of Northumberland, starting as a wooden structure and gradually evolving into a stone fortress over the centuries.

Beyond the castle’s captivating allure, Alnwick Garden offers a unique natural spectacle teeming with wildlife not found elsewhere in the UK.

The garden’s website states, “no two days in the garden are ever the same”, reflecting its seasonal transformations while preserving its historical essence.

Established in 2001 by the Duchess of Northumberland, the garden boasts an impressive variety of roses, including over 200 English shrub roses and climbers. In total, visitors can marvel at up to 4,000 different plant species, including the world’s largest collection of Japanese Taihaku cherry blossoms.

The grounds also house the poison garden, a unique feature filled with up to 100 toxic, intoxicating and narcotic plants. For safety reasons, guests are prohibited from smelling, touching or tasting any of the plants, and the garden is securely enclosed behind black iron gates.

A recent visitor shared their experience on TripAdvisor: “We visited Alnwick Castle Gardens today, and it was absolutely outstanding, a masterclass in vision, creativity, and care. Every corner feels as though it has been designed not just to impress, but to inspire and delight.

“The imagination behind this place is extraordinary – the designers have somehow managed to weave art, nature, and storytelling into a single, living experience. I can only imagine how it will change through the seasons (I’ll be back in April for the blossom).”