GB · England · 55.41°N 1.71°W

alnwick

A castle used in Harry Potter, a poison garden and books piled inside an old station.

Best time
April–September is best for the castle and garden, with spring flowers and long summer days. The castle closes from late October to late March, so skip winter if it's the reason you're going.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly direct from KL to London (about 14 hours) on Malaysia Airlines or British Airways, then take the train from King's Cross to Alnmouth, about 3.5 hours, and a 10-minute taxi or bus to Alnwick. The UK is 7 hours behind KL in summer and 8 in winter.
Save postcard
GB · Englandalnwick55.41°N 1.71°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A castle used in Harry Potter, a poison garden and books piled inside an old station.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingAlnwickGB, England
KLalnwick
≈ 10,558 km from KL, as the crow flies
Alnwick (Northumberland, England, UK) - Alnwick Castle - The keep

Photo: Benjamin Smith · CC BY-SA 4.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Alnwick is a stone market town in Northumberland, in England's far north-east, with a castle that played Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films. Add a garden of poisonous plants and one of Britain's biggest second-hand bookshops.

Makan

  1. Craster kippersHerring smoked over oak in Craster's old smokehouse, a Northumberland breakfast.Map ↗
  2. Singin' hinnyA Northumbrian griddle scone that sizzles, or 'sings', in the pan.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Alnwick CastleThe Duke of Northumberland's home, where Harry learned to fly. Broomstick lessons still run in the same courtyard.Map ↗
  2. The Alnwick GardenWater cascades and a cherry orchard, plus the locked Poison Garden, seen only on a guided tour.Map ↗
  3. Barter BooksSecond-hand books in the old Victorian railway station, with a model train running along the top of the shelves.Map ↗
  4. Craster and Dunstanburgh CastleA clifftop walk of about 2 km from a kipper-smoking fishing village to a ruined castle, 15 minutes' drive away.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The castle and The Alnwick Garden are separate attractions with separate tickets.
  • Halal food is scarce in town; Newcastle, about 30 minutes from Alnmouth by train, has far more, especially around Westgate Road.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.