The Crowning Glory (Alnwick Castle)

Member Name: ks.h

Product:	Alnwick Castle
Date:	18/08/03 (466 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Marvellous mix of the old and the new, Magnificent paintings, Excellent day out

Disadvantages: Not fully accessible to wheelchair uses, Quite expensive

In the northernmost reaches of England lies the beautiful county of Northumberland and at its heart, standing on the banks of the River Aln, is the bustling small town of Alnwick (pronounced "Annick"). The town's crowning glory is the castle, home of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family, the Percys, have lived there since 1309. The castle, described by the Victorians as "the Windsor of the North", is now a marvellous mix of the old and the new.

History

A castle of some kind has stood on the site since the 11th century when William the Conqueror's standard-bearer, Norman Gilbert Tyson, acquired the land and built an earth and timber fortification. However, nothing of this original building survived. In 1093, Robert Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland, killed the king of Scotland, Malcolm Canmore, less than a mile away from the castle and the Scottish army was pushed back northwards. Two years later, Tyson joined Mowbray's unsuccessful rebellion against William Rufus, King of England, and his land and castle were taken from him.

Ownership of Alnwick passed to Yvo de Vescy the following year, and Vescy started the first building program at the site. Descendants of Yvo de Vescy retained ownership of the Castle until 1297; however the loyalties of the Vescy family fluctuated between the Kings of England and Scotland ensuring Alnwick Castle remained the focal point of ongoing conflict between Scotland and England, which culminated in the unsuccessful attack in 1297 by William "Braveheart" Wallace. In the same year, William de Vescy died leaving no legitimate heir, and the castle was placed in the care of the Bishop of Durham. In 1309, the bishop sold the castle and accompanying estates to Henry Percy. Alnwick Castle now passed into its most notorious, and dramatic, period.

The Percy family were one of the most powerful in England and their legacy has been chronicled by many including William S
hakespeare, (Harry Hotspur, son of Henry fourth Lord Percy of Northumberland was made famous in Shakespeare's Henry IV). Their history is one of tumult and intrigue, conflict with the monarchy and with the Scots, the first Lord Percy led a revolt against King Edward II resulting in the loss of all his possessions, which he later regained. In 1314 Percy fought with the king at Bannockburn, was taken prisoner, and then ransomed back by the English. As owner of Alnwick Castle, Henry Percy made extensive repairs to the structure and modified its design, much of which remains in fine condition to this day.

The descendants of the first Lord Percy continued to try and bring down the English monarchy and the castle continued to be an important fortification and strengthened over the ensuing centuries; however from the mid-17th century until the mid-18th century, the Earls of Northumberland abandoned their castle at Alnwick, and it became severely decayed.

Sir Hugh Smithson became the first Duke of Northumberland in 1766, and was responsible for the castle's restoration and the introduction of the fantastic interiors. From then onward, the Northumberlands made their mark in the courts of their monarchs and the affairs of the nation. The Dukes of Northumberland continued to maintain the grandeur of their castle as well as extend the exteriors and in the mid 19th century, the fourth Duke, Algernon, carried out a new restoration, and it is the result of this work that is now visible as the castle. Having traced my family history back to this date I find an ancestor of mine, Alan Bell, master stonemason of the Parish of Alnwick, was employed on this work.

The Castle in the 21st Century

Today, Alnwick Castle is an impressive stately home, and relics of its initial military origins are clearly visible in the basic design, battlements, and massive fortitude of the structure. Having survived many battles it now peacefully dominates the pic
turesque market town.

Gazing at the stern, medieval exterior you are given no warning of what lies within the walls, the interior is a wonderful house and also an obviously well loved home. As you wander around the many area open to the public you come across rooms that are simply awesome, furnished in palatial Italian Renaissance style. There are magnificent paintings by Titian, Van Dyck and Canaletto, fine furniture and an exquisite collection of china, in effect something to take your breath away in every room.

Some outstanding features to look for include the beautiful Grand Staircase, lined with marble and embellished with a vaulted ceiling and stucco-work; the Guard Chamber, with its gilded furniture and ceiling panels, mosaic flooring, marble statues, and other fine artwork; the stunning Library, with an even grander panelled, gilt ceiling, double-tiered bookcases, and impressive fireplace; the lovely Music Room, decorated in hues of gold, and an intricately carved panelled ceiling covered with gold, fine fireplace, and gilt furniture; the incredible Red Drawing Room, which dazzles the beholder, containing wonderfully gilded panelled ceilings and another remarkable fireplace, this time flanked with ebony cabinets and intricate gilding; and the grand Dining Room, once the site of the medieval banqueting hall, a bit subdued in comparison to the previous rooms, although there is a finely carved wooden ceiling, another impressive fireplace, and other exquisite examples of sumptuous living.

Other attractions within the castle walls include the Percy state coach, which I sat in many times as a child although you were not allowed to, but my father's friend was the castle caretaker so rules were flaunted, the dungeon, which even now after many visits gives me an uncomfortable eerie feeling when I enter, the gun terrace and the grounds that offer peaceful walks and superb views over the surrounding countryside.

Capability Bro
wn originally designed the tranquil garden, and today the upkeep is lovingly overseen by the Duchess of Northumberland, who is restoring the twelve acre walled garden to its former glory. The Duchess started the project in 1996 and the first stage is now complete; the garden reflects the glory and spirit of earlier gardens on the site but it is not a recreation of the past it is a garden that uses 21st century state of the art technology and is a place of beauty and learning relevant to future generations as well as our own.

The Regimental Museum of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers is housed in the Abbot's Tower of the Castle, the Postern Tower contains an archaeological museum and the Constable's Tower has exhibitions on the Percy Tenantry Volunteers 1798-1814.

The castle has been impressively restored and is maintained in outstanding condition both inside and out. The vision is simply dazzling, battlements adorned with life-sized stone sentinels who still dare unwelcome access, interiors teeming with vitality. Not only is Alnwick Castle an architectural masterpiece, the fortress also belies the active, influential history of its owners.

There are many thousands of people who have experienced the splendour of Alnwick Castle, although they might not realize it, because it is an extremely popular site for film and TV location work; some of the many films that have used the castle are:
Becket starring Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton, Mary Queen of Scots starring Vanessa Redgrave, Ivanhoe starring Anthony Andrews and Sam Neill, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner, and recently it has become known as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in both Harry Potter and the Philsopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Some of the television productions filmed on location at Alnwick are:
Robin of Sherwood starring Michael Praed in the first series and Jason Connery in the se
cond, Blackadder I with Rowan Atkinson, Dracula with Louis Jordan and Frank Finlay, Festival Films, Newcastle upon Tyne - several shoots within the Catherine Cookson series.

Useful Information

Open Daily 1 April to 31 October 2003, 11am to 5pm (Last admission 4.15pm)
Tearoom and Gift Shop open from 10am

Admission Prices: (Castle and Garden joint prices in brackets.)
Adult - £7.50 (£10)
Concession (e.g. student, pensioner) - £6.50 (£9)
Child (aged 16 years and under) - free with accompanying adult
Discounts for pre-booked groups of 14+ persons:
Adult - £6.50 (£9)
Concession - £6.00 (£8)
School groups - £1.20 per pupil (£2)

Free car and coach parking.
Baby changing facilities
The castle is not fully accessible to wheelchair uses however there are accessible toilets.

Location and Directions:
Alnwick Castle is on the outskirts of Alnwick town, 35 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne, and 30 miles south of Berwick upon Tweed and the Scottish Border.

The Castle is just over a mile from the main A1 road, which goes from London (300 miles) to Edinburgh (80 miles).
Newcastle International airport is 35 miles from Alnwick.

There are rail services from London King's Cross, Newcastle and Edinburgh, which stop at Alnmouth (5 miles from Alnwick), the 518 bus to Alnwick leaves Alnmouth Station at 23 minutes past the hour from 09.23 until 22.23.
The 505 bus service from Newcastle Haymarket stops at Alnwick.
The Castle is two minutes walk from the bus station.

Contact:
Estates Office, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ
Tel: 00 44 (0) 1665 510777 Mon - Fri.
Tel: 00 44 (0) 1665 511100 24 hour information line

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