Alnwick Castle above the River AlnAlnwick Castle
- Best time
- The spring and summer season, when it opens; arrive early in school holidays for a broomstick slot
- Getting there
- Bus or taxi from Alnmouth station, about 10 minutes away; about an hour north of Newcastle by car
Why it’s in the log
The Percy family have owned Alnwick since 1307, and the Duke of Northumberland still lives in part of it. In Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets it stood in for the outside of Hogwarts, and for some of the inside.
The best-known scene filmed here is the first flying lesson with Madam Hooch, when Neville's broom runs away with him and Harry chases the Remembrall. That was shot in the Outer Bailey, and the castle now runs broomstick training on the same lawn. It's included in the admission ticket, with timed slots handed out on arrival. The castle also appeared in Downton Abbey.
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Durham Cathedral
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Gloucester Cathedral
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Lacock Abbey
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