A village in Northumberland is home to a ‘spellbinding’ castle that was used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and features the famous gardens with a killer Poison Garden
08:00, 03 Dec 2025Updated 08:28, 03 Dec 2025
The castle was used in the Harry Potter films(Image: Juanhdez via Getty Images)
Stepping into this village is like entering a real-life fairytale, with its enchanting castle attracting visitors and film enthusiasts alike from across the UK and beyond.
Tucked away in Northumberland, further inland from the coastline, lies the delightful village of Alnwick, pronounced ‘Anick’. Within this tranquil town stands a ‘spellbinding’ castle that not only holds a wealth of history but may also look familiar to a famous one seen on your screen.
Alnwick Castle starred in the Harry Potter films as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and its grounds were used as the backdrop for some of its most iconic scenes. Film buffs have plenty to absorb both inside and out, and can even partake in a broomstick lesson in the same spot where the main cast, including Harry, Ron and Hermione, learnt to fly in their first year at Hogwarts.
Another unforgettable moment filmed right on the castle’s grounds is the flying car crash disaster, landing in the Inner Bailey. Not to mention, Harry’s significant Quidditch practice scenes took place in the Outer Bailey area of the castle.
Aside from Hogwarts, the castle is the second largest inhabited one in the UK, which has been home to the Percy family for over 900 years. The Grade I listed building is believed to have been initially built in 1096 to protect the border of Northumberland, starting as a wooden structure and evolving into a stone fortress over time.
Beyond the castle’s captivating allure, Alnwick Garden offers a unique natural spectacle teeming with wildlife not found elsewhere in the UK. The garden’s website boasts that “no two days in the garden are ever the same”, reflecting its seasonal transformations while preserving its historical essence.
The Duchess of Northumberland established this horticultural haven in 2001, which now houses an impressive variety of roses, including over 200 English shrub roses and climbers. In total, visitors can marvel at up to 4000 different plant species, including the world’s largest collection of Japanese Taihaku cherry blossoms.
A notable feature is the poison garden, home to around 100 toxic and narcotic plants. For safety reasons, guests are prohibited from smelling, touching or tasting any of the plants, and the garden is securely enclosed behind black iron gates.
One recent visitor shared their experience on TripAdvisor, enthusing: “We visited Alnwick Castle Gardens today, and it was absolutely outstanding, a masterclass in vision, creativity, and care. Every corner feels as though it has been designed not just to impress, but to inspire and delight.
“The imagination behind this place is extraordinary – the designers have somehow managed to weave art, nature, and storytelling into a single, living experience. I can only imagine how it will change through the seasons (I’ll be back in April for the blossom).”
Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World will soon be able to experience the Harry Potter universe like never before, with their favourite characters and iconic locations recreated in LEGO
A new theme park land based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter books has been confirmed, and fans will even be able to enjoy an overnight wizarding experience with themed accommodation.
LEGOLAND Deutschland in Germany has confirmed that a partnership between Merlin Entertainments and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences will bring the popular franchise to life in LEGO form.
Details of the brand new attraction are currently being kept strictly under wraps, with the park confirming it’ll be announcing further information in the next 12 months. In a statement, Peter van Roden, EVP of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, said: “We are always looking for new ways for the millions of Harry Potter fans around the world to extend the magic and further connect with the iconic films. This new destination will allow fans to step into in the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”
The first Harry Potter book was released in 1997, and since then, the franchise has continued to grow, spanning eight Harry Potter films, three Fantastic Beasts movies, a stage show, and even a video game.
While there are already Harry Potter-themed lands at some Universal resorts, as well as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where fans can see where the movie was filmed, this is the first Wizarding World attraction for LEGO. And while many places, such as private rentals, offer unofficial wizard-themed accommodation based on the franchise, the park will offer the first official themed accommodation.
The news comes as Potterheads eagerly await the release of the HBO series, slated to make its debut in 2027. The show, which began filming in 2025, is set to be produced for ten years over several seasons, each covering one of J.K. Rowling’s books.
Harry Potter and LEGO have a long association, with several brick sets themed around the franchise being released over the years. The first Harry Potter LEGO set, based on the Sorting Hat, came out back in 2001, and one of the most famous releases is the gigantic Hogwarts set. With over 6,000 pieces, this set currently sells for £409 on LEGO’s official shop.
Germany’s LEGOLAND park is based in Günzburg, just over an hour from Munich Airport. Flights are available from across the UK by airlines including British Airways, easyJet, and Lufthansa, and take just under two hours, making it easily accessible for British fans. From the airport, you can take a train to Günzburg, and then there are regular buses that drop you off just outside the park.
The new Harry Potter land will join a raft of existing kid-friendly attractions at the park. These include LEGO NINJAGO World, MINILAND, which includes models of iconic German and global attractions, Knights’ Kingdom, and LEGO® X-TREME, which includes a rollercoaster and other thrill rides.
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THE Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is one of the world’s most popular Harry Potter attractions.
It’s where all eight of the hit film series were made, and opened in 2012 – welcoming as many as 6,000 visitors each day.
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Warner Bros. Studio Tour was a former filming location and is now a huge attractionCredit: AlamyThere are original film props like the Hogwarts Express at the studiosCredit: Alice Penwill
Through the years, it has expanded with additional attractions like the Forbidden Forest expansion which opened in March 2017.
Another addition is Gringotts Wizarding Bank which April 2019 and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse in 2022.
The site is in Leavesden, which is easy enough to get to by car, and there’s a huge car park at no additional cost – but you will need to show your ticket confirmation upon entry.
For anyone travelling by train, the nearest station is Watford Junction.
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From there, the Studio Tour offers a complimentary shuttle bus service – these run at least every 30 minutes and take 15 minutes.
Adult tickets start from £56 and children (between 5-15) from £45 – children under four years old go free.
The average tour time is around 3-4 hours – but you could easily spend a whole day thereCredit: Alice Penwill
You must pre-book a ticket as there are no walk-ins.
There are savings when families book consisting of two adults and two children or one adult and three children – discounts are applied at the online checkout.
For those coming further afield, there are packages that include hotel stays and breakfast from £76.
Here’s everything else you need to know about visiting.
The experience
On entry, there’s a cloakroom if you want to leave your bag, but in the winter you might want to take your coat as part of the experience is outside.
Then it opens up to a canteen area so you can sit down and have a snack, or if you’re keen, head straight through to where the tour begins.
Depending on the time and day you may have to queue, then you’ll be let into the experience as part of a small group.
Once inside there’s a quick video introduction where you’ll recognise some of the faces from the cast and J.K. Rowling.
The fun begins when the double doors open and there’s a big reveal into the incredible Great Hall – which is a pretty magical moment in itself.
The tour is self-guided so from there on you can wander around and take everything in at your own pace, which I find is much nicer than being hurried along.
You can chat to the friendly and incredibly knowledgeable staff along the way – we met the lovely Olivia who chatted about cast costumes.
She showed off some of the most beautiful dresses like the one Fleur Delacour wore to the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
For those who want more of a ‘guided experience’ then you can hire a Handheld Digital Guides for an extra £5.25.
Each section of the tour is dedicated to various scenes and parts of the film that fans will just love, from Diagon Alley to the end.
Some parts of the tour are dedicated to costumes, props and setsCredit: Alice Penwill
What is there for adults?
The Studio Tour is definitely not ‘just for kids’. In fact I’d argue it’s possibly more suited to adults.
Each area from the Forbidden Forest to the Gryffindor common room, and Dumbledore’s office has behind the scenes facts – which is why I’d argue you’d need much longer than three hours to fully take in the experience.
There are also interesting elements showing how they filmed the cast on their broomsticks and how the Night Bus scenes were filmed which will intrigue those interested in the literal ‘Making of Harry Potter’.
I’d say there are a few sections of the attraction more suited to adults too, like the creature effects, which show off the masks of the goblins at Gringotts bank.
There are also technical drawing and initial plans of creatures that you see in the movies.
I was certainly taken back to my own childhood upon seeing the Hogwarts castle model draped in snow.
There are plenty of interactive elements like the huge spiders that drop in the Forbidden Forest
What is there for kids?
If your child is a fan of Harry Potter, or even if they aren’t, the whole experience is a paradise for the imagination.
They’ll love the interactive elements too like the witches and wizards you meet along the way teaching quick spells and doing live demonstrations.
Spots like Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse will prove to be a hit as kids (and adults of course) can pull up a screaming Mandrake.
There are plenty of photo opportunities too if little witches and wizards want to dress up during their visit.
Activities along the way include a “Harry Potter Passport” with a stamp collection throughout the tour, and the digital guide is all child-friendly content.
When it comes to food, there’s a dedicated kids menu where they can enjoy burgers, hot dogs and vegan options – not to mention a Butterbeer which is non-alcoholic.
My only qualm is that for very young children, it might be a little too much and even potentially scary at points.
Younger kids will be shocked by the terrifying dragon that suddenly appears inside Gringotts bank and the huge spiders that drop in the stormy Forbidden Forest.
Almost all of the Studio Tour is accessible and they offer ‘Relaxed Tours’ tooCredit: Alamy
Is it accessible?
The majority of the Studio Tour is accessible with very few parts that cannot be accessed via wheelchair.
These are the Hogwarts bridge, which has short staircases either side and cannot be adapted as it’s an original set piece – which is the same case for The Hogwarts Express.
The Night Bus has a short boarding platform which also cannot be accessed by wheelchairs.
Throughout the year there are Relaxed Tours which are adapted experiences for those with autism and related conditions.
Trained guide dogs, assistance dogs, buddy dogs, hearing dogs and medical alert dogs are welcome on the tour.
Key changes include to lighting and quieter sound levels.
Hogwarts in the Snow means the whole experience is dressed up for ChristmasCredit: Alice Penwill
Any add ons?
Heading to Hogwarts is special at any time of the year, but after visiting in November, I’d highly suggest going to one of its themed events, like Hogwarts in the Snow.
I’ll admit it’s not overly different, but for someone like me who considers the Harry Potter film series a must-see at Christmas, it does make it that extra bit special.
There’s sprinklings of snow on the windows, and the Great Hall is decked out with enormous Christmas trees.
Throughout 2026 there will be further themed events like Magical Mischief based on Fred and George Weasley’s pranks which will run between January 24 to April 27.
The Summer Feature which will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Philosopher’s Stone will then take place between May 7 to September 7, 2026.
Running between September 16, November 8 2026 will be Discover the Dark Arts where the Great Hall will transform for the spooky season.
These themed events are at no additional cost to the price of the Studio Tour.
However there are some events which require a specific ticket like In Magical Mischief After Dark which will take place on February 13-14 and starts from £99pp.
Everyone can enjoy a Butterbeer at the cafeCredit: Alice Penwill
Is there a shop and cafe?
There are multiple dining choices; the first that you’ll come to is The Food Hall, which you can visit either before or after the tour.
Inside you can even book to have breakfast, afternoon tea, or even a three-course candlelit dinner.
There are points throughout the tour where you can take a break like at the Backlot Café which is midway through the tour and a great stopping point.
We stopped here for a seasonal Hogwarts in the Snow Hot Dog (£15.96) and a classic beef burger which comes with all the toppings and fries (£14.65).
And a Butterbeer will set you back £7.95.
Just after you go to Platform 9 ¾ you’ll find the Butterbeer Bar, there’s also the Hub Café and Frog Café which serves luxury hot chocolates and milkshakes.
Once you’ve finished the tour, you can discover the delights of the gift shop which sells all sorts of souvenirs that you’re very likely to want to take home with you.
Visitors can even buy their own wands and costume with a cloak or even a personalised trunk.
Of course, there are plenty of clothing themed into the four houses so you can get some comfy knitwear or even a cloak embroidered with either the crest of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
There are plenty of sweet treats too, like the Chocolate Frog, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and even Bottled Butterbeer.
Visiting at the end of the year meant there were lots of Christmas themed souvenirs too like pyjamas, baubles and snow globes.
There are mock-ups or recognisable scenes throughout the experienceCredit: Alice Penwill
What else is there to do in the area?
The Harry Potter Studio is in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, and is without a train station which makes it very difficult to explore via rail.
It’s not a place where you can walk to other areas by foot either as the studios is far from any other attractions.
However, for those arriving by car, the experience is a 20-minute drive from the city of St Albans, known for its plethora of pubs and its huge cathedral.
Another nearby town is Hemel Hempstead which is home to the historic Ashridge House known for its beautiful gardens.
Final verdict
I don’t see how anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter could leave the Studio Tour and feel dissatisfied.
There’s so much to do and see that you could easily spend a whole day there – and with no time limit on the tour, you can do exactly that.
While ticket price is expensive, once you go in and see the sheer size of it as well as all the effort that goes into the attraction, you realise why.
The amount of original props that the public are actually allowed to step inside is impressive too – like the Hogwarts Express train that’s on display.
Not to mention the staff are incredibly friendly, and really know their stuff.
All in all, it keeps the spirit of Harry Potter alive and makes for a fantastically magical day out for the whole family.
All in all, a Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a fantastically fun (and magical) day outCredit: Alice Penwill
CALLING all Potterheads – there’s great news on the horizon as the wizarding world of Harry Potter is coming to Legoland.
One of the resorts in Europe has announced that ‘a magical new land is in the making’ as it teams up with Warner Bros.
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A new Harry Potter themed land has been announced for LegolandCredit: Merlin EntertainmentsIt will open in Legoland Deutschland and there will even be themed accommodationCredit: Merlin Entertainments
Legoland Deutschland has revealed that a brand-new area dedicated to Harry Potter is underway – the first of its kind in the world.
It said that the new land in Germany will see the magic of Hogwarts meet Lego bricks in a location-based setting for the first time.
Not much has been revealed about what exactly will be inside the land, but there’s likely to be magical-themed rides and attractions.
Something that has been confirmed is that there will be Harry Potter themed accommodation for guests to stay in.
More details on the plans for Legoland Deutschland Resort will be announced over the next 12 months.
Peter van Roden, EVP Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences said: “This new destination will allow fans to step into the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”
Across the globe there are Harry Potter attractions – but none are yet in any of the Legoland resorts.
For some wizarding experiences, Brits are likely to head to Warner Bros Studio Tour for The Making of Harry Potter.
Last year, Peppa Pig Park opened in Günzburg right next to theLEGOLAND Deutschland Resort – and it’s also owned by Merlin Entertainment.
Right next to Legoland Deutschland is Europe’s first standalone Peppa Pig theme park
It’s opening followed on from the success of Peppa Pig Theme Park that opened in Orlando as part of the Legoland Florida Resort.
Peppa Pig Park Günzburg opened in in May 2024 and became mainland Europe’s first theme park based on the popular children’s character.
Kids who are a fan of Peppa will also get to meet all of their favourite characters throughout the park too.
One popular ride is Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, a Family Coaster 155 that’s been made by Zamperla.
There’s also Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride where park-goers are launched into the air on an aerial carousel ride.
Some other rides in the park include Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure, which takes younger visitors on a prehistoric quest, Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride and Mr. Bull’s High Striker.
Visitors can also check out Muddle Puddles Splash Pool and Peppa Pig’s Treehouse which is a huge outdoor play area.
