Harry Potter at Alnwick Castle
Did you know that Alnwick Castle played a starring role as the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in two Harry Potter films? That's right, you can visit the real-life Harry Potter castle location in Northumberland.
Ever wondered 'where is the Harry Potter castle?' - well, you’ll find answers right here at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland - one of the most iconic filming locations in the wizarding world, and an import Harry Potter castle location.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was filmed at Alnwick Castle in the autumn of 2000, and the castle was also used for shooting the first sequel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the following year. A busy couple of years for our magical castle!
If you plan to visit Alnwick Castle any time soon, see if you can recognise a few of these iconic spots from the Harry Potter films.
The Outer Bailey
The Outer Bailey is where Harry and his fellow students learned to fly broomsticks with Madam Hooch (Zoë Wanamaker). This is also where he mastered the rules of the ultimate wizarding sport, Quidditch, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Fans visiting this famous Harry Potter castle can even relive the magic themselves - did you know that you can learn broomstick skills with our Broomstick Training lessons at Alnwick Castle? Under expert guidance from our instructors, inspired by hundreds of years of historical witches and wizards, you’ll be taught basic skills like cornering, manoeuvring, accelerating, and braking.
Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the evidence.
The Courtyards and Inner Bailey
The Courtyards and Baileys of Alnwick Castle were used to film the students of Hogwarts going about their daily activities. In fact, you may even remember Harry and Ron crash-landing the Weasley family’s flying car within the Inner Bailey in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Visitors exploring the Harry Potter castle in Northumberland can step right into these legendary scenes - a must-see for those preparing for the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, which will reimagine these beloved stories for a new generation.
The Lion Arch
During filming, the Lion Arch of Alnwick Castle was used as a way in and out of Hogwarts. It was the way to go if students wanted to visit Hagrid or were sent to the eerie Forbidden Forest. This same Lion Arch has since become one of the most photographed spots by fans seeking the true Harry Potter castle location in the UK.
With the highly anticipated HBO Harry Potter series set to revisit Hogwarts in stunning detail, there's never been a better time to visit one of the most iconic Harry Potter castle filming locations. As we prepare for nostalgia to hit, it's the ideal time to explore the real-world magic of Alnwick Castle.
Book a visit to Alnwick Castle today to see where these scenes were filmed.