The UK’s Most Instagrammable Castle
If you're searching for the most Instagrammable castle in the UK, look no further than Northumberland.
Northumberland is famous for its castles, with historic strongholds stretching from the coast to the county's countryside. Among the many castles in Northumberland, Alnwick Castle offers a particularly memorable combination of history, architecture, gardens, filming locations and activities.
From Harry Potter's Hogwarts to its appearance in Downton Abbey and Dungeons & Dragons, Alnwick Castle has provided the backdrop for some unforgettable screen moments.
Whether you're exploring Northumberland for a day or planning a longer castle-hopping trip, Alnwick Castle is a chance to experience one of the region's most recognisable historic landmarks — and capture photographs along the way.
Iconic Castle Images
A visit to Alnwick Castle wouldn’t be complete without taking a scenic picture of the surrounding grounds and the dramatic medieval circular stone structure of Alnwick Castle’s keep.
For the perfect Instagram pictures, we recommend downloading our visitor map to help guide you around the castle. As you explore you will be able to take some iconic shots of the castle from the Lion Bridge, fairy-tale worthy photos in our historic Artisan's Courtyard, as well as the perfect posed pictures on our Ramparts Walk.
Lion Arch
Lion Arch is one of the most recognisable entrances to Alnwick Castle and a fantastic place to begin your photography adventure.
Its impressive stonework creates a natural frame for photographs, making it ideal for portraits, family photographs and photographs of the castle itself.
Lion Arch is the perfect backdrop to any photo, which is why it was chosen as a filming location for the recent Dungeons and Dragons film starring renowned actor Chris Pine.
Best for: Portraits, family photographs and film fans.
Magical Broomsticks
Take a piece of the magic of Alnwick Castle home with you by getting the perfect picture of you on a broomstick in our Outer Bailey.
Undertake our famous Alnwick Castle broomstick training and master the basics of a broomstick in the very spot that Harry Potter in the Philosopher’s Stone learnt to fly.
Amaze your friends and followers on Instagram with photos of your newly learnt take off skills!
The Courtyards
Alnwick Castle's courtyards offer a mixture of stone architecture, historic details and open spaces.
They are particularly useful for anyone looking to capture photographs that feel atmospheric rather than simply taking a traditional castle portrait.
Best for: Experimenting with both portrait and landscape orientation and look for interesting shapes, shadows and textures.
Artisan's Courtyard
For something different from traditional castle photography, visit the Artisans' Courtyard.
With its medieval atmosphere, crafts and activities, it provides plenty of opportunities for more candid and colourful photographs.
Best for: Family photographs, detail shots and medieval-themed images.
Book your visit to Alnwick Castle
Book your ticket online, grab your smartphone or camera, and head to Alnwick Castle where you can explore the magic for yourself.
Posting your pictures to Instagram following your visit? Make sure to tag @alnwickcastleofficial in your posts and stories using the hashtag #alnwickcastle.