Best Budget-Friendly Half Term Days Out at Alnwick Castle

Whether it’s the next school holiday or a half-term break later in the year, keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge. You want to give them a break to remember without breaking the bank, and thankfully there are plenty of affordable things to do in Alnwick and across Northumberland to keep the whole family entertained.

Alnwick Castle is open to visitors from March to October, with a changing programme of family-friendly activities, events and experiences throughout the season. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite things to do at the castle during half term, helping you make memories with your loved ones and enjoy one of the best family days out in Northumberland.

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Budget Day Out At a Glance

  • Visit length: Allow a full day to explore Alnwick Castle and enjoy the family activities
  • Opening hours: 10am–5pm, March to October
  • Discounts: Check for current discounts, including the Northumberland resident discount (25%), green travel discount (20%), and online booking discount (10%).
  • Included with entry: Explore the castle grounds, State Rooms, Great Kitchen and museums. Take part in talks and tours, broomstick training, medieval activities and games and Dragon Quest.
  • Lunch: Courtyard Café, Pizzeria and Ice Cream Parlour are all available or alternative bring your own picnic and enjoy the views on Barneyside. 
  • Plan ahead: Check activity times and download the app and free trails.
  • Didn't manage to see everything? Don't worry — your ticket is automatically upgraded to a season pass, so you can come back and enjoy unlimited visits for 12 months.

Included with entry

Every Alnwick Castle ticket purchased online includes an annual pass, giving you 12 months of return visits during the open season. With a changing programme of events, activities and experiences throughout the year, there’s always something new to discover, making it easy to enjoy more family days out at Alnwick Castle.

Visit Alnwick Castle: One of the Best Things to Do in Alnwick with Kids

Standing proudly for over 900 years, Alnwick Castle welcomes visitors throughout the year, offering an unforgettable day out for families. From exploring the historic castle and grounds to enjoying a changing programme of family-friendly activities and events, it’s easy to see why Alnwick Castle is one of the most popular family days out in Northumberland.

The iconic medieval castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the UK and has been home to the Percy Family for centuries. In our opinion, it’s also one of the best castles in Northumberland. Even better, when you book an Alnwick Castle ticket online, your admission includes an annual pass, giving you and your family 12 months of return visits during the open season. That means you can enjoy more of what Alnwick Castle has to offer throughout the year, from half term and school holidays to special events and seasonal activities.

Read on to discover some of our favourite family activities at Alnwick Castle. From stepping back in time with medieval experiences to taking part in Dragon Quest and Broomstick Training, there’s plenty to see and do, with activities included with your castle admission ticket or annual pass.

Immerse Yourself in Medieval History at Alnwick Castle

Step back in time and discover medieval life at Alnwick Castle. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to enjoy spectacular medieval falconry, interactive entertainment with Tom Fool, and other seasonal experiences that bring the castle’s history to life.

Families can also explore the Artisans Courtyard, try on medieval costumes, discover traditional crafts and learn more about medieval armoury. With so much to explore across the castle grounds, including the Ramparts Walk, Lions Tower and impressive medieval architecture, there are plenty of opportunities to uncover the history of this iconic Northumberland castle and the Percy Family.

Enter the Dragon’s Lair at Alnwick Castle

Get ready for a family adventure with Dragon Quest. Join forces with Harry Hotspur and the Dragon Catcher, tackle challenging obstacles and put your skills to the test as you search for Northumberland’s most fearsome beast. Are you brave enough to come face-to-face with the dragon?

Discover the Magic at Alnwick Castle: One of the Iconic Harry Potter Locations

Harry Potter fans can recreate a little movie magic with Broomstick Training at Alnwick Castle. Join our resident wizarding professors and learn the basics of mastering a broomstick on the very spot where Harry had his first flying lesson in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Set in the iconic grounds of Alnwick Castle, this family-friendly experience is a must for fans of the films and a memorable way to discover one of the UK's most recognisable Harry Potter filming locations.

Make the Most of Your Annual Pass

Whether you’re learning to master a broomstick, discovering your inner knight, taking part in Dragon Quest or enjoying live-action medieval performances, there are plenty of family activities and things to do in Alnwick, Northumberland throughout the season.

When you book online, your Alnwick Castle admission automatically includes an annual pass, giving you 12 months of return visits during the open season. With a changing programme of events, activities and experiences throughout the year, every visit can offer something different.

With so much to explore and enjoy, an annual pass makes it easy to return for more family days out during half term, the summer holidays and beyond.

Plan Your Family Day Out at Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is open to visitors from March to October, with activities and events varying throughout the season. Before you visit, check our What’s On programme for the latest information about activities, performances and events taking place on your chosen date.

Please note that all events and activities are subject to change and may be weather dependent. To make sure you don’t miss out, check our What’s On information before your visit or speak to a member of our team on arrival.