There’s heaps for families to enjoy at Alnwick, from a famous castle to an award-winning family-friendly museum!
As part of a family holiday to England, we spent some time in the North East of the country, where we visited Hadrian’s Wall and explored Northumberland. But the highlight of our trip was definitely the day we spent in Alnwick and the surrounding area. Here’s how we spent a marvellous family day out in Alnwick.
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Watch our video from our family day out in Alnwick below:
Family Day Out in Alnwick
We had a really great day out in Alnwick and the surrounding areas, with plenty of different things to do near the town. If you haven’t visited Northumberland before, we’d really recommend it — there are some amazing places for families to explore.
About Alnwick
Alnwick is a market town in the heart of Northumberland, situated roughly halfway between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Famous for its castle and garden, the originally walled town centre is home to a market place with a market cross, and, just outside the walls, an old Victorian-era railway station that now houses Barter Books — but more on that below.
Alnwick Castle
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The iconic Alnwick Castle was a must-see on our visit, having featured as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films. It’s over 950 years old and is the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, still serving as home to the Percy family.
The second largest inhabited castle in the UK, Alnwick Castle has plenty of history to discover, with origins dating back to the Norman period. Because it’s still a family home, visitors only have access to selected State Rooms, but it’s still well worth the guided tour. We actually found the rest of the attraction — the ramparts, and the activities and events taking place for kids around the walls and courtyard — even more interesting.
Book your tickets online, where you’ll find current offers such as their “Pay for the Day, Visit for the Year” option.
Things To Do at Alnwick Castle
As well as special events and performances, there are lots of fun things to do at Alnwick Castle, including:
- Visit a replica Napoleonic cannon and the castle’s museums, including Constable’s Tower
- Stop by the Artisans’ Courtyard to enjoy medieval-themed activities and meet townsfolk from the 14th century
- Take the Dragon Quest! Are you brave enough to enter the Dragon’s Lair? This can be a little scary for the very young but is great fun for families with children aged between 5 and 12
- Try Broomstick Training — learn to fly a broomstick on the very spot where Harry Potter first took flight! Sessions are included with your entry ticket but require a free time-slot ticket, given out on a first-come, first-served basis with limited spaces per lesson
- Have a go at some archery
- Enjoy a stroll outside the castle along “Capability” Brown Walk, taking in views of Alnwick Castle and the stunning landscape he designed
The Alnwick Garden
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You may be wondering why we’re recommending a garden, but The Alnwick Garden is truly special — full of imaginative, inspiring and fun spaces. It’s designed to be enjoyed by all ages: children can run freely throughout, and everyone will enjoy playing on the mini diggers or relaxing on one of the 50 swinging benches dotted around.
At the Garden you’ll find:
- A Grand Cascade (pictured) with 120 water jets
- The world’s largest Tai Haku cherry orchard
- A bamboo labyrinth
- The Serpent Garden, with playful water sculptures
- One of the world’s largest tree houses
- And the highlight of our own visit — the Poison Garden
There are plenty of food options too, including the Treehouse Restaurant, where you really can dine among the leaves.
Barter Books
Barter Books is a large second-hand bookshop located in a former railway station on the edge of Alnwick town. As well as shelves and shelves of books to browse, it has some unique touches, including a model railway that runs high above your head. There are open fires in winter, plenty of seating, and a big kids’ books room with toys — ideal for giving mum and dad a little time to browse in peace. For refreshments, there’s the Station Buffet or Paradise, an ice cream parlour.
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Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery
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The Bailiffgate Museum is an award-winning people’s museum celebrating 10,000 years of unique local heritage. Alongside its permanent collection of artefacts, there’s a gallery floor with exhibitions running throughout the year. Housed in a historic building in the town’s Castle Quarter, close to the castle and garden, it won the Family Friendly Museum Award in 2021 and continues to host family-friendly events throughout the year.
Dunstanburgh Castle
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We absolutely loved visiting Dunstanburgh Castle, a huge ruined castle perched right on the Northumberland coast. Building began in 1313 for the Earl of Lancaster, on a scale grand enough to rival the reigning king, Edward II. Visitors would once have arrived by sea, taking in dramatic views of its large twin-towered keep.
To find the castle, head for the village of Craster and follow the signposts to the car park. From there, a short (1.3-mile) coastal walk makes a lovely family outing. The path crosses working farmland, so do remember to follow the countryside code.
Dunstanburgh Castle is managed by English Heritage — book your tickets online, and National Trust members can visit free by selecting “corporate members” and entering their membership number when prompted.
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Planning Your Own Trip
Alnwick makes a brilliant base for a family day out or a longer Northumberland break — there’s enough here between the castle, the garden, Barter Books, the museum and nearby Dunstanburgh Castle to easily fill a full day, or even a weekend if you want to take things at a slower pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should we plan to spend in Alnwick?
A full day gives you time to enjoy Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden properly, with a little time left over for Barter Books or the Bailiffgate Museum. If you’d also like to fit in Dunstanburgh Castle, it’s worth allowing a full weekend so nobody feels rushed.
Is Alnwick Castle suitable for young children?
There’s plenty for younger children to enjoy, from the Artisans’ Courtyard activities to Broomstick Training, though the Dragon Quest can feel a bit spooky for the very youngest visitors. As with any big attraction, it’s worth checking the castle’s own website before you go for anything specific to your child’s age group.
Is Dunstanburgh Castle a buggy-friendly walk?
The coastal path from Craster crosses working farmland and isn’t a smooth, paved route, so it’s worth bearing this in mind if you’re travelling with a buggy or very young children.
What else is there to do near Alnwick?
Beyond the castle and garden, families can browse Barter Books, learn about local history at the Bailiffgate Museum, or head to the coast to explore Dunstanburgh Castle and the wider Northumberland coastline.
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