
Alnwick Castle is a Medieval castle in Alnwick, Northumberland, England, and a filming location for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), Downton Abbey (2010-2015) and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) among other productions. Built in 1096, it was designed by Anthony Salvin, and is Grade I listed. It is owned by Duke of Northumberland (Percy family).
Location: Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ, Alnwick, Northumberland, England
Verified facts
- Located in Alnwick, Alnwick
confidence 80/100 · 6 independent sources · SRC-0487, SRC-0488, SRC-0489, SRC-3807, SRC-5342, SRC-8802 - Designed by Anthony Salvin
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-0487, SRC-0488, SRC-3022 - Built in 1096
confidence 80/100 · 6 independent sources · SRC-0487, SRC-3807, SRC-5343, SRC-5344, SRC-8803, SRC-9144 - Architectural style: Medieval
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-0487, SRC-0489, SRC-3022 - Historic designation: Grade I listed
confidence 80/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-0487, SRC-3867, SRC-5345, SRC-8802 - Appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (movie, 2001)
confidence 90/100 · 7 independent sources · SRC-0490, SRC-0489, SRC-0487, SRC-4319, SRC-4207, SRC-8306, SRC-8307 - Owned by Duke of Northumberland (Percy family)
confidence 95/100 · 9 independent sources · SRC-0488, SRC-0489, SRC-0487, SRC-3663, SRC-3807, SRC-6060, SRC-5343, SRC-5344, SRC-9145, SRC-10142 - Appeared in Downton Abbey (tv, 2010-2015)
confidence 80/100 · 12 independent sources · SRC-3847, SRC-0487, SRC-4320, SRC-7178, SRC-8301, SRC-8302, SRC-2778, SRC-9150, SRC-9660, SRC-4319, SRC-4207, SRC-4321 - Appeared in Transformers: The Last Knight (movie, 2017)
confidence 80/100 · 6 independent sources · SRC-3848, SRC-0487, SRC-7179, SRC-7180, SRC-8821, SRC-9151 - Appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (movie, 2002)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-0490, SRC-4207 - Appeared in Mary, Queen of Scots (movie, 1971)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-0810, SRC-10276, SRC-14122
Evidence & sources
- SRC-0487 — Alnwick Castle — Wikipedia (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-0488 — Alnwick Castle | History, Description, & Facts — Britannica (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-0489 — Alnwick Castle — Visit Northumberland (Tier 2, tourism_authority; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-0490 — Harry Potter Castle Location | Hogwarts Castle — Alnwick Castle (official site) (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-0810 — Filming Locations for Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) — Movie-Locations.com (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-10142 — The Percy Family — Alnwick Castle Official Site (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-10276 — https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/blog/alnwick-castle-star-of-the-screen (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-14122 — Alnwick Castle – Other Television & Film (official site) (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-2778 — Movie-Locations.com — Downton Abbey filming locations (Tier 3, location_guide; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3022 — Alnwick Castle official site – The History of the Castle (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3663 — alnwickcastle.com (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3807 — alnwickcastle.com (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3847 — alnwickcastle.com (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3848 — alnwickcastle.com (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3867 — co.uk (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4207 — visitengland.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4319 — visitnorthumberland.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4320 — visitbritain.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4321 — loveproperty.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4757 — Alnwick Castle (official visitor site) — Contact (Tier 2, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4758 — Northumberland Estates (owner) — Contact (Tier 2, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4974 — Alnwick Castle (official site) (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5342 — Castles and Legends (Tier 3, reference_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5343 — History Hit (Tier 2, press; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5344 — Great Castles (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5345 — Historic England (National Heritage List for England) (Tier 1, government; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6060 — Alnwick Castle — Co-Curate (Newcastle University) (Tier 2, academic_reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7178 — Where is the castle in Downton Abbey? — Heart (Tier 3, news; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7179 — Sunderland Echo — Mark Wahlberg spotted filming for Transformers: The Last Knight (Tier 2, newspaper; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7180 — Atlas of Wonders — Where was Transformers 5: The Last Knight filmed? (Tier 4, filming_location_guide; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-8301 — Filming locations linked to Downton Abbey which are great for groups | Group Leisure & Travel (Tier 3, news; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-8302 — From Downton Abbey to Harry Potter and Transformers – Behind the scenes of film sets at Alnwick Castle | High Life North (Tier 3, news; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-8306 — VisitBritain — Harry Potter Filming Locations (Tier 2, web; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-8307 — Movie-Locations.com — Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Tier 2, web; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-8802 — Parks & Gardens — Alnwick Castle, Alnwick (Tier 2, reference_database; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-8803 — Fabulous North — Alnwick Castle (Tier 2, reference_database; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-8821 — The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations — Transformers: The Last Knight (movie-locations.com) (Tier 2, film_location_database; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9144 — American Aristocracy — Alnwick Castle (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9145 — Anderson & Garland Auctioneers — History of Alnwick Castle, Syon House, Stanwick Hall, Albury Park and Blagdon Hall (Tier 2, official_record; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9150 — What to Watch — Downton Abbey: where was it filmed? Filming locations for the period hit (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9151 — Sceen-IT — Transformers: The Last Knight at Alnwick Castle (filming location) (Tier 2, film_location_database; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9660 — Classic Cottages – Downton Abbey filming locations (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: 2026 season 27 Mar - 22 Oct. Grounds daily 10am-5pm (last admission 3:45pm; until 5:30pm in Jul/Aug); State Rooms from 10:30am.
Admission: Online (10% off, incl. annual pass): adult £22, concession £17.90, child (5-16) £11.60, family £64.20, under 5 free. Gate: adult £24.45, child £12.90. HHA members free.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Downton Abbey filmed?
Alnwick Castle, in Alnwick, Northumberland, is a real-world filming location used for Downton Abbey. This property has also appeared on screen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Mary, Queen of Scots, Transformers: The Last Knight.
Where was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets filmed?
Alnwick Castle, in Alnwick, Northumberland, is a real-world filming location used for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This property has also appeared on screen in Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Mary, Queen of Scots, Transformers: The Last Knight.
Where was Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone filmed?
Alnwick Castle, in Alnwick, Northumberland, is a real-world filming location used for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. This property has also appeared on screen in Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Mary, Queen of Scots, Transformers: The Last Knight.
Where was Mary, Queen of Scots filmed?
Alnwick Castle, in Alnwick, Northumberland, is a real-world filming location used for Mary, Queen of Scots. This property has also appeared on screen in Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Transformers: The Last Knight.
Can you visit Alnwick Castle?
Yes — Alnwick Castle is open to the public. Hours: 2026 season 27 Mar - 22 Oct. Grounds daily 10am-5pm (last admission 3:45pm; until 5:30pm in Jul/Aug); State Rooms from 10:30am.. Admission: Online (10% off, incl. annual pass): adult £22, concession £17.90, child (5-16) £11.60, family £64.20, under 5 free. Gate: adult £24.45, child £12.90. HHA members free..
Who designed Alnwick Castle?
Alnwick Castle was designed by Anthony Salvin.
Where is Alnwick Castle located?
Alnwick Castle is located in Alnwick, Northumberland.