Day Trip to Alnwick Castle from Edinburgh

We awakened in the morning after sleeping off our jet lag to enjoy an English breakfast at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel. Shortly after breakfast, our Scottish friends picked us up, and we found ourselves on the A1 motorway headed to Berwick-upon-Tweed. This journey took us through the area identified as the Scottish Lowlands.

*View of Edinburgh Castle from our balcony*

*Enjoying some refreshments* *with our Scottish friends*

Berwick-upon-Tweed

1-hour, 7-minute drive

We reached Berwick-upon-Tweed mid-morning and, from the center of this charming market town, took a gentle stroll to the Quay Wall and Harbor.

*The flags across the street represent the start of Stage 3 of the Tour of Britain which was held the next day*

Medieval Town Walls

15-minute stroll

This involved crossing under the medieval town walls and its Elizabethan ramparts, built on a line laid down by Edward I in 1296. Other parts of these defenses were remodeled in the l6th century.

*Narrow passageway from the port to the town*

*These are the only remaining bastioned town walls in Britain and the best preserved examples in Europe*

Berwick Bridge

Now we are offered an imposing view of Berwick Bridge, likewise, known as Bridge End, spanning the river Tweed. This original stone bridge built around 1611 was a marvel all its own.

*Also called ‘Old Bridge’, the structure is a Grade I listed stone bridge*

Royal Border Train Bridge

Pushing closer to the Berwick Bridge, the Royal Border Train Bridge featuring 28 arches can be observed. This bridge, completed in 1850, sees its archways lit up into the night.

Lowry’s at the Chandlery

30-minute break

2 The Chandlery Quayside, Berwick-Upon-Tweed TD15 1HE

After a brief look around the harbor, we settled into Lowry’s at the Chandlery for some tea and scones. The scones were of enormous portions and utterly enjoyable, as one might imagine. Alas, after this wee rest, we started our way back to town and the continuation of our journey.

*The Chandlery was converted to Lowry’s in 2014*

*The tasty scone we shared with cream and strawberry jam*

Greenwell Road Carpark

45-minute drive

Alnwick Castle Carpark, Greenwell Road Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1HB

We came to the Greenwell Road Carpark opposite the Alnwick Gardens at mid-day. It was a relaxed ten minutes’ walk to the ticket office, including taking a minute to observe the Giant in the pond. £16.75 purchased our admission to the Castle for the day.

The giant in the pond outside of the castle

*Also part of the Giants Attraction, the garments and other features are a way to connect to the child in us all*

Alnwick Castle

10-minute stroll

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ

The Alnwick Castle, previously mentioned in the Bamburgh Castle Scenic Drive and Gardens tour in 2016, was built in 1128 as home to the Duke of Northumberland. Today a Duke and his family still live here in the winter months.

*The outside entrance to the castle, called the Lion Arch. Quite impressive!*

The Castle grounds have been appropriated for numerous movie sets comprising Harry Potter (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), Downton Abbey (Brancaster Castle), Transformers: The Last Knight, and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (Nottingham Castle), to name a few. Alnwick is the second largest Castle in England that is still occupied.

Castle Interior

We first ventured to the interior of the Castle, beginning at the Lower Guard area and later into the family common and staterooms. After clicking a first photo I was asked to take no further photos of the interior as the Castle is actually considered a private residence. This was most unfortunate because the interior is so opulent with pure grandeur and sophisticated wood carvings. I can only encourage you to pay a visit on your own while touring the area.

*The interior castle entrance that leads to the family’s living quarters*

For film buffs, the library and some of the interior rooms can be observed on the Downton Abbey Series at the ends of Season 5 and 8 as Brancaster Castle.

I learned from the resident librarian that the oldest publication in the library dates to 1475. It was also bought to my attention that evidence of the family crest can be seen within the eyes of the Lions carved into the door frames.

on Location Film Tour

We attended the 1:30pm Alnwick on location Film Tour, which is offered four times each day. We picked up considerable knowledge about the Castle from a motion picture perspective.

*Interior shot most recognized in films*

*The broomstick training was great fun!*

*The Barbican secured the defenses of Alnwick Castle*

*A view of the castle containing the state rooms and dungeon*

I was very awed by two learned facts:
– The first Broom Flight Class of the Harry Potter series was shot in the Outer Bailey.
– The inner courtyard grass was cut out, removed and later returned for filming of Transformers the Dark Knight.

Castle Cafe & Gift Shop

After the on location Film Tour we dropped by the giftshop to purchase some official merchandise and then called on the Alnwick Castle Cafe for Fish & Chips and battered Sausage. The volume of portions here is beyond belief, so when you visit you might choose to share a meal.

*The courtyard of the Guest Hall where we enjoyed our Fish & Chips and Sausage*

Gun Terrace & Lion Bridge

Once finished our late lunch, we headed over to the Gun Terrace of the Castle and ascended the Castle walls to absorb the view. From our vantage we were able to take a few photos of Lion bridge. Eventually we wandered around the entirety of the rear of the Castle.

*A look through the ramparts of the castle grounds*

Now with late afternoon settling in, we proceeded through the Lion Arch and began heading back to the Greenwell Road carpark.

The Treehouse Restaurant

15-minute stroll

Gardeners Cottage, Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1YU

We chose the trail that included the Treehouse restaurant and inspected its interior and the viewing platform above. We likewise took in the Treehouse path, incorporating its two swinging rope bridges.

*The walkway through to the restaurant and paths*

*Very whimsical design that made the structure unique*

Detour to Lindesfarne Castle & Priory

30-minute drive

Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2SH, United Kingdom

At 5pm we were on the return trip to Edinburgh. We incorporated a short 20-minute deviation for a photo stop near the Lindisfarne Castle & Priory on Holy Island. This Priory was overrun & pillaged by the first Viking visit to the area in 793. Because we had to cross a tidal causeway to visit, we did not have time to linger. If you are planning a visit here, it is essential to review the tidal tables in advance.