Alnwick, Northumberland


	HOME > EXPLORE > ALNWICK

From Alnwick to Berwick: England's border country. The picture shows Bamburgh Castle

Alnwick

Watch scenes of colourful Alnwick Fair in this 90-second archive film from 1988. Including the infamous ducking stool! All of the 'victims' are volunteers.

This clip is taken from Super 8 movie film and has no live sound.

Click here to read more about our videos and Internet video in general, plus links.

'Dirty Bottles'

One of the more bizarre sights in Alnwick is a row of old bottles in the window of Old Cross Inn in Narrowgate.

The bottles have remained untouched for more than 200 years due to a superstition which says that anyone who disturbs them will die.

Further details

Alnwick Tourist Information Centre
Tel: 01665 510665

Alnwick Castle: painted by Canaletto, Van Dyck, Titian and, more recently, a popular location for movies & TV

The Market Place at Alnwick

Symbol of the Percy Family, this lion guards the bridge

Symbol of the Percy family, this lion stands guard on the bridge leading to Alnwick Castle

Much of Alnwick's medieval character remains intact, including parts of the city walls (below)

Alnwick (pronounced 'Annick') has been an important commercial centre since the 13th century and it is still the main town in this part of Northumberland.

Immensely historical, much of Alnwick's medieval character remains intact: its narrow winding streets, town walls and market place. Every summer, the past is brought back to life during the Alnwick Fair, when local people don period costume for a week.

Alnwick Castle occupies a strategic position on the banks of the River Aln. Dating from the 11th century, with restoration and alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Castle was painted by Canaletto, Van Dyck and Titian. In modern times it has become a popular film and TV location, most recently as Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter movie.

Alnwick Castle is home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and is open to the public in the Spring and Summer. Its latest attraction is its water garden.

Costing Ł15m, with 65,000 plants and shrubs and a spectacular water display, this 26 acre garden is the most ambitious in Britain for many decades, possibly for more than a century.

back to the map >>