Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the country and is known as the “Windsor of the North.” However, is arguably most well known as the castle where the first two Harry Potter films where shot. The outside of the castle is where Harry and his peers learned how to fly broomsticks for the first time. The courtyard is where Harry and Ron crashed the Weasley’s flying car. Finally, the Lion Arch is a way out of Hogwarts and into the forbidden forest and Hagrid’s cabin.
The castle has belonged to the Duke of Northumberland since 1309. The first Duke was Henry Percy, and the castle is still owned by the Percy family. The current Duke and Duchess have converted part of the castle into a tourist attraction. In 2001, they added a garden which is 26 acres. The garden includes an interesting feature known as the Poison Garden. Other attractions include the Treehouse, observing sites where popular films were shot, and digging up archaeological treasures.
Sources:
https://www.alnwickcastle.com/explore
https://www.anglotopia.net/british-history/ten-interesting-facts-figures-alnwick-castle-gardens/
Posted by: Hannah Holzhaeuser
popcultureabroad2018 