Alnwick Castle & The Alnwick Gardens
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Port
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$220
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
7½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Home of the Dukes of Northumberland for centuries, Alnwick Castle is a treasure trove of history.
You'll first visit the Alnwick Garden, complete with dancing fountains and enchanting mazes and displays. Quite mesmerizing, today's garden is located on the site of gardens originally built in the 1750s by Capability Brown for the Duke of Northumberland. The garden had fallen into significant disrepair in the early 20th century, but the present Duchess had the vision to create a beautiful public space accessible to everyone -- a garden for contemplation, fun, inspiration and education. Follow your guide on a tour of most of the garden's major areas -- the Rose Garden, the Ornamental Garden, the Bamboo Labyrinth, the Poison Garden and the Serpent Garden. You will also see the magnificent Grand Cascade, the largest water feature in the UK, and the fabulous Tree House -- one of the largest in the world.
Enjoy a 500-yard walk to Alnwick Castle for a self-guided tour of the State Rooms. This lively, vibrant castle is the second-largest inhabited castle in England (after Windsor), and has been home to the Percys -- the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland -- since 1309. It has regularly featured in film and television productions over the years, including Elizabeth and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. More recently, the castle was used as the location for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Alnwick is home to an enviable collection of fine art, including paintings by Van Dyck, Canaletto, and Titian. The Northumberland Fusiliers also house their regimental collection here.
Return to your coach for the drive back to Newcastle.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Lunch is not included. You will have time to purchase lunch at your own expense during the tour. Photography is not permitted within the castle.