Alnwick Castle is a castle and stately home in Alnwick, Northumberland, England.
The castle first gained mention in 1096 when Yves de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick, erected the first parts of the castle. Owned since 1309 by the Percy family, the Earls and later Dukes of Northumberland, it was built to defend England's northern border against the Scottish invasions and border reivers.
The castle is situated in parklands designed by Lancelot Brown ("Capability Brown") and Thomas Call in the 18th century.
The castle is in good repair and used for many purposes. It provides a home for the present Duke and family and offices for Northumberland Estates, which manages the Duke's extensive farming and property holdings.
Since the Second World War, parts of the castle have been used by various educational establishments: Firstly, by the Newcastle Church High School for Girls then, from 1945 to 1975, as a teacher training college and, since 1981, by St. Cloud State University as a branch campus forming part of their International Study Programme.
Special exhibitions are housed in three of the castle's perimeter towers. The Postern Tower, as well as featuring an exhibition on the Dukes of Northumberland and their interest in archaeology, includes frescoes from Pompeii, relics from Ancient Egypt and Romano-British objects. Constable's Tower houses military displays like the Percy Tenantry Volunteers exhibition, local, volunteer soldiers raised to repel Napoleon's planned invasion in the period 1798-1814. The Abbot's Tower houses the The Regimental Museum of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
The castle was used as a location in the films Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. It has previously been a location used in Blackadder I, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and many others listed in the Location section of the Alnwick Castle website.
The castle is open to the public throughout the summer; the garden is open year-round.
Alnwick Garden
Adjacent to the castle, the present Duchess of Northumberland, Jane, has established the Alnwick Garden, a formal garden set around a cascading fountain.
The first phase of development, opened in October 2001, involved the creation of the fountain and initial planting of the gardens. In 2004 a large 'tree house' complex, including a cafe, was opened. in February 2005, a poison garden, growing plants such as cannabis and opium poppy, was added.
The purpose of the garden is to augment the facilities available on the Alnwick Castle site for tourists and educational visitors.
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