The Alnwick Garden

Garden · Alnwick

The Alnwick Garden

Garden · Alnwick

Denwick Lane, Alnwick NE66 1FJ, United Kingdom

Highlights

Discover a stunning array of formal gardens featuring a breathtaking central fountain and a whimsical treehouse restaurant, perfect for family fun.

Denwick Lane, Alnwick NE66 1FJ, United Kingdom Get directions

alnwickgarden.com

@atlasobscura

The Ultimate Guide to Stunning, Surprising, or Hidden Filming Locations

"Alnwick Castle is not only one of the largest inhabited castles in England and 1,000 years old, it’s also something of a movie star. This pictureque castle is one of the most iconic in Britain, having made appearances in popular films and television shows such as Elizabeth, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the Downton Abbey Christmas special, and its most famous role as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films. It was on the castle grounds that Harry had his first Quidditch lesson (the castle now hosts “broomstick training” throughout the summer months) and the spot where the Weasleys’ flying Ford Anglia crash-landed on the first day of school. Aside from its forays on the big and small screens, the magnificent castle also has a long and rich history; the first parts of the structure were erected around 1096. Located in the English county of Northumberland, today it is home to the Duke of Northumberland and his family and is the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle. Like many centuries-old estates, it has been besieged and renovated a number of times and home to a number of noble lords, most notably the Percy family, a powerful house in northern England for 700 years starting in the Middle Ages. The most famous of the Percys is Harry “Hotspur” Percy, a statue of whom is in one of the courtyards at Alnwick Castle. He was given the nickname after fighting courageously and impetuously against the Scots, and his story was immortalized by Shakespeare’s Henry IV. While part of the castle is today occupied by the duke, the rest is open to the public in the summertime, where you can learn more about its medieval history, take broomstick lessons, catch an outdoor moving screening, and more." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/movie-sets-you-can-visit

View Postcard for The Alnwick Garden

Taylor Longden

Google

This is easily one of the coolest places I’ve visited in the UK. We started off by wandering around the Lilidorei play area, and the main area has this structure which is this incredible, colourful castle-inspired frame. We visited in October, so there were Halloween themed attractions dotted around, which were pretty fun. Bonus points for the play area being adult inclusive! :) The gardens are spectacular. You enter to a view of a giant fountain, which is no exaggeration. It spans multiple storeys, and requires walking a lengthy staircase to reach the top, where you are greeted with a view of the main building below. There are alternate routes on either side of the fountain, where you travel the same way but through a gorgeous tunnel composed of tunnel of foliage. Despite being brief, the poison garden tour was very informative and interesting. The tour guide was clearly impassioned by the topic which made it very easy to engage with it. One thing I would note is the pricing. It is £18.50 per adult, with an extra £3.50 for parking. Food and drink is by no means cheap either.

Simon Scott

Google

Always a great day out. The staff are excellent as always. Good food at the cafe. The Poison Garden is well worth it. It's guided tours only, every 30 minutes. The tour lasts about 20 minutes and is great entertainment.

Pablo Archer

Google

We visited Alnwick Gardens today, being mid winter most of the plants had died back and there wasn’t a huge amount of greenery. However we still really enjoyed the visit and would highly recommend visiting. We had the tour of the poisonous plants garden, it’s was very interesting and the guide lady was very knowledgeable about poisonous plants in general. We’ll definitely be returning in the spring/summer with the kids, as the entry ticket included entry to Lilidorie too.

Amy Lewis

Google

Barbara gave us a brilliant tour of the poison garden! We went in a group with some very excited children (in the middle of winter - not all of the plants on display) but she managed to get everyone quiet and focused on the plants and their stories! Highly recommend for the poison garden alone! (Also the very tame ducks broke into the garden during our tour)

Katie Louise

Google

Went to the light trail this year and it was absolutely fantastic! We've got 2 young kids (almost 2 and almost 4) who manged really well. Toilets were easy to get to but if you're toilet training I'd recommend a back up. The entire thing took about 2.5 hours walking at toddler speed but it was amazing. Hot drinks were reasonably price and staff were very friendly and helpful

Norma Ferguson

Google

Amazing, took my grandsons at night and they absolutely loved it as did we. I've never seen so many Xmas trees and lights in one place, it was gorgeous. Lilidorei was a great adventure play area for the kids and some adults, there is a restaurant/cafe, where you'll find toilets downstairs but there is a lift for prams and wheelchairs, a van selling waffles and drinks and another selling hot dogs and drinks. There are also a couple of gift shops selling souvenirs. Staff are all around the light trail and Lilidorei and there are reindeer there to see. All added up to a great family fun night out

The G Force

Google

What a stunning stunning garden. The fountain is very impressive in the centre with different gardens going off from it. My favourite by far is the poison garden. You need to book on a tour as the plants are poisonous so you need to go in with a guide who tells you the uses of the plants & the history of them.

Axtelera Ray

Google

It was an exciting experience, blending centuries of history with stunning contemporary design. Originally part of the Alnwick Castle estate, the garden has undergone various transformations since the 18th century. The modern garden, which opened in 2001, is the result of the Duchess of Northumberland’s vision, creating a beautiful space that reflects both tradition and innovation. The garden covers a vast area, with beautifully crafted trees and well-maintained walkways leading you through its many features. The Grand Cascade is particularly impressive, with its stunning water displays, while the Rose Garden and the Bamboo Labyrinth offer serene spots for exploration. The Poison Garden tour was a highlight for me. It’s fascinating to learn about the plants that have been used in history for their toxic properties – some even with deadly consequences. The guided tour really adds to the educational and intriguing aspect of the visit. Another wonderful spot is the Cherry Blossom orchard, especially beautiful during spring when the trees are in full bloom. It’s the perfect place to sit and enjoy the tranquil surroundings with a cup of tea. Parking was free and easy to find, which made the whole experience more convenient.