Alnwick

Today we visit Alnwick; once a village, Alnwick was eventually acquired by the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, who built and expanded Alnwick Castle. The other family residence was Warkworth Castle (see future FP entry).

Now a peaceful and thriving market town, Alnwick is accessed at the southern end by one of the original gates, the 15th century Hotspur Tower. There are many old buildings and monuments as we pass through to the market square. At the the northern end of town is Pottergate Tower and a modern statue celebrating Alnwick's famous son, Harry Hotspur (Sir Henry Percy, a 14th century knight who fought against the Scots and the French).

Alnwick Castle is still owned by the current Duke of Northumberland and has featured in the Harry Potter films as Hogwarts. The lion is the family symbol of the Percy family and is featured on the main entrance to the castle and on bridge crossing the River Aln.Read more