Where is Alnwick Castle and was Harry Potter filmed there?
ALNWICK Castle originates from the 11th century, and has appeared in many popular productions on TV and in film.
Here, we take a look at the history of the castle, what has been filmed there, and who lives there.
Where is Alnwick Castle?
The castle is located in Alnwick in the English county of Northumberland.
It is 36.9 miles away from Newcastle, and 52.9 miles from the Scottish border.
Who owns Alnwick Castle?
Alnwick Castle has been owned by the Percy family for over 700 years and remains a family home today for the 12th Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and their four children.
The current duke and his family live in the castle, but occupy only a part of it. The castle is open to the public throughout the summer. After Windsor Castle, it is the second largest inhabited castle in England.
READ MORE IN HISTORY
When was Alnwick Castle built?
The castle was first built in the 11th century, with construction estimated to have started in 1096.
By the 12th century, Alnwick Castle had assumed the general layout which it retains today. It is distinguished as one of the earliest castles in England to be built without a square keep.
Alnwick Castle underwent several renovations in its first five centuries, the most major of which was commissioned by Henry Percy, the First Baron Percy of Alnwick.
The castle boasts numerous defences, including 2 metre thick walls, a 7 metre deep moat, two baileys and thick oak gates.
Most read in The Sun
Was Downton Abbey filmed at Alnwick Castle?
Between 2014 and 2015, Downton Abbey used the state rooms at the castle for filming.
However, this isn't the main castle in which the popular drama was filmed.
Highclere castle is where Downton Abbey was primarily filmed. It is in the English countryside between Bath and London, geographically nowhere near the fictional Yorkshire town of Downton.
Was Harry Potter filmed at Alnwick Castle?
Two Harry Potter films used Alnwick castle castle a filming location.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, released in 2001, and 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets used the grounds of the castle as a filming location.