Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Alnwick Castle - or should that be Brancaster?




A couple of months ago I had a few days in Northumberland with my husband to celebrate our wedding anniversary. On one of the days we visited the spectacular Alnwick Castle which had been on my places to visit list for a long time. It was worth the wait.



Alnwick has been the home of the Percy family for the past 700 years! There is so much to see and do on top of just wandering around the castle grounds and enjoying the scenery. There is a museum about the history of the castle, an exhibition on the role of the people from the castle in the First World War and the Northumberland Fusiliers museum. The castle was used as a set for some of the scenes in the Harry Potter films and there is a dragon quest and broomstick flying lessons for children.



The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland still live here, using the State Rooms which are open to the public when they are not using them. The State Rooms are located in the building in the above two photos. Sadly, photography is not allowed in the rooms which is a shame as they are sumptuous. I did find this one of the dining room on the castle website. Imagine eating a meal in there!

State Rooms
As you may know, Alnwick was used as a location for the Downton Abbey Christmas special, and many of the State Rooms were featured as the interiors of Brancaster Castle. I love Downton and it was extra special to see it set somewhere that I had visited. It was filmed there for two weeks over the summer.

Christmas Downton Abbey
The programme was set in autumn 1924 and the family were invited to go grouse shooting at Brancaster Castle (Alnwick), an estate that Lord Sinderby (Rose's father in law) had rented. The interior scenes at Brancaster were filmed in the State Rooms of Alnwick and the grouse shooting scenes were filmed on the castle estate. I won't talk about the plot as I don't want to spoil it for anyone but you really must watch it!

Visitors to the castle in 2015 will be Downton Abbey exhibition which will feature props, photography and costumes from the programme. Costumes?! I might have to go! It may put me on until a new series starts!

You can find more Downton Abbey pictures on my Pinterest board.





Happy New Year everyone.


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13 comments:

  1. Witchcrafted Life31 December 2014 at 15:31

    There are scarcely words! My goodness, what a sweepingly majestic castle. It make the Edwardian one on Vancouver Island I posted about a few days ago almost look like small peanuts :D (I joke, but objectively this is considerably more grand and "castley" looking in the traditional European sense.)

    What a blast it must be to visit these time honoured grounds and walls and to soak up the history they're imbued with. I enjoyed it all the way from over here on the other side of the pond! :)

    Wishing you a truly awesome, happy, healthy, fun filled 2015, my very dear friend!
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Kate-Em1 January 2015 at 07:44

      I agree with you Jessica, this is a properly castley looking castle which is what made it so attractive to me. I like less grand castles and ruins too but this one felt very special and the historic atmosphere was wonderful. I loved it, we spent a whole day there.

      Happy New Year. I hope it is a truely fabulous one for you.

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  2. Bobbi1 January 2015 at 06:43

    How beautiful! Being a huge Harry Potter fan I recognized it from the first movie, especially the "learning to fly" scene. Thank you for sharing your pictures!

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    1. Kate-Em1 January 2015 at 07:41

      We watched a learning to fly session when we visited and I really wished that it would have been possible for the broomsticks to move for those kids!

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  3. Mim1 January 2015 at 07:18

    Wow, that really is fantastic! Whenever I see anywhere like that, my first thought is, "How long must it take to clean that place?!" but I guess the Duchess probably doesn't do her own hoovering...

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    1. Kate-Em1 January 2015 at 07:39

      I kind of hope for her sake that she doesn't as I think it would take over your entire life! I don't envy the people that do but well done them for making it look so lovely!

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  4. tubby3pug3 January 2015 at 18:16

    Wow amazing! I love the images of the interior

    retro rover

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    1. Kate-Em5 January 2015 at 12:37

      The interior was gorgeous. I wish I could have taken photos.

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  5. The Vintage Inn Blog11 January 2015 at 15:11

    Gosh it must be fun to live close to places like this? Canada does not really have any castles, at least not like this one. I loved the image of the dining room and would of loved to have dined there, as long as I did not have to clean it up lol!

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    1. Kate-Em26 January 2015 at 08:24

      I think it would be loads of fun to live there though a bit strange as it is so large. I wouldn't mind trying it out for a week or two!

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  6. Gillian Roe23 January 2015 at 13:55

    I've never been to Alnwick castle, despite visiting the town many times. It looks fantastic! And you've reminded me that I still haven't watched the Downton Christmas special. Must rectify that immediately! x

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    1. Kate-Em26 January 2015 at 08:25

      Hope you have watched Downton now! I really recommend the castle if you go back to Alnwick. I want to go back and visit the gardens. We didn't have time on this visit.

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  7. Resonant Brain4 March 2015 at 23:52

    I shot a wedding reception at this place recently. It is such a simple and classic venue to shoot at. The coordinator was also such a pleasure to work with as well as the staff. Would recommend this place for any couple looking for an intimate wedding!

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