Alnwick Castle offers many surprises. Behind the stark and foreboding walls lie lavish State Rooms packed with a stunning array of art and furniture collected over the years by generations of the Percy family. These intermingle charmingly with signs of modern living belonging to today's family members.
The Library
The magnificent Library occupies the principal floor of the Prudhoe Tower and was the inspiration of the 4th Duke.
Floor to ceiling bookshelves house an impressive collection of over 16,000 books, started by the 9th Earl during his sojurn in the Tower of London and further expanded by the 4th Duke.
Beautiful trophies by Giovanni Montiroli depict art, music, science, and, reflecting the passions of the 4th Duke, archaeology and the navy.
The Dining Room
Having recently undergone refurbishment, the Dining Room has been returned to its original splendour under the watchful eye of the present Duchess.
The ceiling, carved in Brunswick pine and left ungilded, is decorated with the heraldry of the Percys.
This theme continues in the frieze celebrating the 4th Duke and Duchess on the elegant Italian marble fireplace.
Many magnificent portraits adorn the walls including those of the 1st Duke and Duchess.
The Drawing Room
The Drawing Room, decorated in Italian Renaissance style is currently undergoing the rennovation process too.
Amongst the treasures being restored are:
- the exquisite Alessandro Mantovani frieze painted in oil on canvas
- a pair of pietra-dura cabinets bearing the cipher of Louis XIV that were made for his palace at Versailles in 1683, one of which is currently on display at the Victoria and Albert museum in London.
- an ebonised cabinet made in 1823 to house the collection of ivories bought by the 1st Duchess on her travels abroad in the 1760s and 1770s.