Opening times summary
Day	Hours
Today:	10am - 5pm
Tomorrow:	10am - 5pm

Group Visits

With a history brimming with drama, Alnwick Castle offers a great day out for groups of all sizes. From exploring the grounds and learning about the castle’s past in our dedicated museums to experiencing the magic of Hogwarts, there’s plenty for groups to see and do on a visit to Alnwick Castle.

If you’re looking for a wonderful experience for groups of 14 people or more, book a visit to Alnwick Castle.

About Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, and it has been home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percys, for over 700 years. Combining magnificent medieval architecture with spectacular Italianate State Rooms, it’s one of the UK’s most significant heritage destinations.

From a gunpowder plotter and visionary collectors to decadent hosts and medieval England’s most celebrated knight, Harry Hotspur.

Over the past few years, Alnwick Castle has also taken starring roles in a number of film and television productions. It featured as:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films.
A location for ITV’s Downton Abbey.
Both interior and exterior settings for the Transformers and Dungeons and Dragons film.
And many more!

Benefits of a group visit to Alnwick Castle

Whether you’re looking to add to a coach trip itinerary, or simply gather friends and family for a great day out, booking a group visit to Alnwick Castle brings a host of benefits.

We offer groups of 14 or more people:

Discounted admission
Easy drop-off and free parking
Free admission for driver and group leader
Free tea/coffee and biscuits for driver and group leader
A range of bookable tours and activities
Specialist tours available on request

We are also very happy to discuss rates for regular or bespoke visits.

Group Visit Enquiry Form

Things to do at Alnwick Castle

We’re pleased to offer a broad range of activities and things to do and see, making sure your group visit has a full itinerary.

If you’d like to book tours and activities for large groups, we recommend checking availability in advance before advertising your Alnwick Castle group visits. This is particularly important if you want to book at peak times of the year, such as during the school holidays.

Bookable tours and activities

Here are some of the best things to do at Alnwick Castle.

State Rooms Tour
Join a guide for a tour around the State Rooms, home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Learn about the beautiful interiors, hear stories about Alnwick Castle’s past, and see work from artists including Canaletto, Titian, and Van Dyck.
- The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 20 people per tour.
The State Rooms
'Alnwick on Location' Tour
Our guide will show you around the castle grounds to see the areas that have appeared onscreen.

Hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes and visit the locations used in features such as Harry Potter, Downtown Abbey, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and more.
- The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 50 people per tour.
Tours
Historical Grounds Tour
This tour walks you through Alnwick Castle’s long and eventful history. Learn about its journey from a medieval fortress to a ducal residence and hear about some of its famous events and former residents.
- The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 50 people per tour.
The Castle Grounds
History and Hollywood Tour (exclusively for group bookings)
Our History and Hollywood tour is designed exclusively for group bookings. We’ll take you on

a journey around the castle grounds as you learn about the castle’s history and its onscreen appearances — from Harry Potter to Downtown Abbey to Dungeons and Dragons.
- The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 50 people per tour.
Filming Locations
Special Interest Tour
Would your group like to learn about a particular area of Alnwick Castle's history or collections? Whether it’s the castle’s medieval defences or its Italian-inspired art and architecture, we can provide tours to suit your interests.

Please get in touch to discuss how we can curate a tour your group will love.
- The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 20 people per tour.
Collections & Archives
Broomstick Training
We offer two popular Broomstick Training sessions for group bookings so you can find the ideal activity to add to your itinerary.

Full Experience

Join our resident wizarding professors and take part in one of our world-famous broomstick training sessions. With their expert guidance, you shall be taught the basics of mastering a broomstick and how to get that perfect 'flying' photo.
- The session lasts approximately 30 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 40 people per session.
Fundamentals

This compact version of our world-famous lesson is perfect for groups who want to experience the essentials of broomstick training. Our wizarding professors will be present throughout to help you get that all-important 'flying' photo.
- The session lasts approximately 15 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 40 people per session.
Broomstick Training
Lessons in Wizardry (exclusively for group bookings)
This group booking exclusive combines a Broomstick lesson with a journey through the Alnwick Castle grounds, exploring the areas made famous from the Harry Potter movies — including the location of his first flying lesson.
- The session lasts approximately 45 minutes.
- Book for a maximum of 40 people per session.
Harry Potter at Alnwick Castle

Getting to Alnwick Castle

Conveniently situated less than a mile off the A1 between Newcastle and Edinburgh, Alnwick Castle is an ideal destination for group visits. You can get to us by car, train, or bus, and we’re close to the heart of Alnwick town, so there’s plenty more to explore in the local area.

Learn more about getting to Alnwick Castle.

Parking at Alnwick Castle

We share coach parking facilities with The Alnwick Garden and groups can enjoy free parking for the duration of their visit. Convenient drop off points available.

Find Us

How long do groups need to visit Alnwick Castle?

How long you spend at Alnwick Castle really depends on how many people are in your group and the activities you want to participate in.

We recommend a visit of 3-4 hours to give you time to explore the grounds. If you want to include any tours, it’s important to account for both the duration of the tour itself (most are around 45-50 minutes) and getting to and from the meeting points. Generally, the bigger the group, the more people you need to manage around the grounds.

It’s also important to take food and drink into account. If you’re going to be at Alnwick Castle around lunchtime, think about whether you want your group to bring packed lunches or enjoy a bite to eat at our delightful Courtyard Café or or our new Pizzeria & Ice Cream Parlour! The Armoury Takeaway is a great option if you want a quicker pit stop — it provides hot and cold drinks along with a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches and sweet treats. Please note the Armoury Cafe is only open during school holidays.