One of the most striking aspects of the Harry Potter movies, besides an unbelievably charismatic cast, was its setting. The scenery was nothing short of beautiful and truly helped to bring the novel series to life. From winding train tracks aboard the Hogwarts Express following a mountain route to the castle that served as the setting for some of the most prominent scenes, it was incredibly enchanting.

Speaking of the latter, the castle in question can be found right in Northumberland, England, and it's easily recognizable from the films. Specifically, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The best part is this: Fans of the novels and the movies can visit the castle, and will have the chance to see specific movie locations.

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The History Of Alnwick Castle

The Alnwick Castle in Northumberland was built in 1309 and has held up extraordinarily well, with many of its original features still featured prominently to this day. The castle's origins date back to the Norman period and once served as a military outpost, a teaching college, evacuee refuge, a film set, and home to the Percy family. It's known as the second-largest inhabited castle in the United Kingdom, and the Percy family has lived within its walls for the better part of 700 years. Today, the 12th Duke and Duchess, along with their four children, call it home.

The castle has dominated the landscape in this part of Europe for centuries, and, while its history has grown and evolved, the castle structure has not. Its towering walls and strong towers stand tall over the surrounding green hillside, which is likely what gained the attention of the movies and TV shows that have featured it. Along with being seen in the first two Harry Potter movies, the castle and its grounds have also been featured in Downtown Abbey, Transformers: The Last Night, Elizabeth, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. 

Alnwick Castle In Harry Potter

Various parts of the castle can be seen in the first two films, as well as the landscape. The first movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was filmed on location at the castle. This is where fans can see classic features of the castle such as its stone walls, archways, exterior towers, and steeples.

The movie was filmed during the autumn season, which helped to give the movie that classic fall and broody-moody atmosphere that the series so effortlessly achieves. The second movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, also used the castle as its film location in the following year.

The Outer Bailey

This part of the castle is easily recognizable thanks to its weathered, antique appearance and tall windows. Avid fans with a keen eye will recognize it as the location where Harry and his classmates learned how to fly, thanks to a little help from Madam Hooch.

This is not the only scene that was filmed there, however; many of the castle's exteriors - and any scene having to do with Quidditch, for the most part - were filmed in or around the Outer Bailey.

Inner Courtyards And Baileys

The inner baileys and the courtyards of Alnwick Castle are also easily recognizable thanks to their stone walkways and tall castle walls. Its this interior that allowed the films to create an aura of intrigue and slight medieval mystery, feature Harry, Ron, and Hermione, along with their classmates, walking through from time to time.

These areas of the castle were used for transition walking scenes as well as one notable scene where Harry and Ron crash-landed the Weasley's family car.

The Lion Arch

The third part of the castle that was featured multiple times in the film was the Lion Arch. This striking archway is massive in size and shows guests the way in and out of 'Hogwarts' (AKA the castle).

The road leading out was often used during scenes when Harry and his classmates were leaving Hogwarts and heading to Hagrid's or somewhere else on the grounds. It was also filmed during the scene where Harry and the crew head out to the Forbidden Forest.

Visiting Alnwick Castle

The Castle

  • Castle Grounds - 9:30am - 5:30pm (last entry at 2:30pm)
  • Artisan's Courtyard - 9:30am - 4:30pm (last entry at 4pm)
  • State Rooms - 10:00am - 4:30pm (last entry at 4pm)
  • Museum Towers - 10:00am - 5:30pm (last entry at 4:30pm)
  • Fusiliers Museum - 11:00am - 4:45pm

​The Grounds

  • Courtyard Gift Shop - 9:30am - 5:00pm
  • Diana Gift Shop - 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • Stables Fryery - 11:00am - 3:30pm
  • The Armoury - 9:30am - 4:30pm

Ticket Prices

  • Adults - £18.50
  • Concession - £15
  • Children (5 to 16 years) - £9.75
  • Under 4 years of age - free
  • Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) - £50.50

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