What to expect when you visit
With all the changes in place to keep you and our staff safe, a visit to Alnwick Castle is going to look different this summer. As advice changes, we are constantly reviewing what we can offer during your visit and will update this section regularly to make sure that you know what to expect when you visit us.
What is closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
In order to maintain social distancing and for the safety of all on site, the Café, Fryery Chip Shop, the Dungeon, the Ramparts Walk, Dragon Quest and The Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland will remain closed. We are also currently unable to offer any activities aside from those detailed below.
Additionally, the main toilet facilities located within the Courtyard will also remain closed.
Please note that as a result of the ongoing renovation works, access to the Gun Terrace will be via the Inner Bailey only. Regrettably, due to the social distancing measures in place and nature of the site, disabled access to the Gun Terrace is severely restricted and not suitable for wheelchair access.
Due to the Covid-19 situation, regrettably we are unable to offer wheelchair and electric scooter hire.
What is not included in my Grounds Ticket?
We have been working hard to provide more activities on site while still keeping our visitors and staff safe.
Tickets for State Rooms Tours, Broomstick Training and Have-a-go Archery are now available to purchase on site. These activities are not included within your Grounds admission ticket, which is very much reduced in price this year. A valid grounds ticket is required to access these activities.
Please note that only contactless payments will be accepted for your safety and that of our staff, and that no cash will be kept on site.
What facilities are currently available?
Temporary toilet facilities will be available near the entrance to the Castle on the Bowburn picnic area and will be cleaned regularly. These will include limited facilities for disabled visitors, please contact our team for further information. For the safety of you and others, we ask that you follow the 2 metre social distancing guidelines when queuing for the facilities.
What information is available on site?
Along with our friendly on site staff, who will be happy to answer any of your questions, we have also installed a number of information boards around the site which will provide you with information about the Castle; including a look at its history, how it has changed over the centuries and the use of the Castle as a filming location. Scan the QR code on each board for a virtual tour of Alnwick Castle.
Is the gift shop open?
The Castle gift shop is now open from 10am to 4pm daily.*
For your safety, and that of our staff, a limited number of visitors will be permitted into the shop at any time, our staff will monitor this throughout the day. Additionally, a one-way system is in operation.
Face coverings must be worn at all times inside the shop and please be aware that we are currently operating as a cash-free site and only able to accept payment via card.
*closing times may vary at the discretion of management.
What are you doing to keep people safe during the pandemic?
Social distancing measures will be in place across the Castle site and we ask that you please keep 2 metres apart from other groups where possible, and where this is not possible 1 metre apart whilst following the measures as directed by our site stewards. New signs and markers situated around the site will provide you with clear information to keep you and others safe, and we ask that you follow the one-way routes were applicable. We also politely remind all adults that it is their responsibility to ensure that children in their care are supervised at all times and that they too follow the social distancing guidelines.
Additionally, you will find hand sanitiser readily available across the site and we politely ask request that all visitors wash their hands and/or make use of the hand sanitiser regularly.
Can I smoke on site?
Please also be aware that Alnwick Castle is now a no smoking zone.
What is the scaffolding on site for?
Whilst the gates have been closed to visitors, our team of specialists have been able to make a start on some major works to the Castle, working on the Abbot’s Tower, Falconer’s Tower and now the Prudhoe Tower. These works are a continuation of a project which began 20 years ago to address a backlog of much needed repairs and to ensure that not only is the Castle secure for future generations, but that it will still be standing in another 900 years! With the information boards on site, you will be able to find out what it takes to keep a 900-year-old medieval castle in such excellent condition.