In 1172 and again in 1174, Alnwick Castle was
besieged by the Scottish king William the Lion

Alnwick Castle was built by the Norman baron, Yvo de Vescy in the 11th century, as a timber and motte castle and was reconstructed of stone during the early part of the 12th century, but it gained most of its current design under the direction of the Percy family who acquired the castle in 1309. The Percy's were one of the most powerful families in England and have been closely linked with the castle ever since.

Henry Percy and his son set about turning Alnwick into a bastion of considerable strength. Together they strengthened the curtain walls, added gatehouses to both the inner and outer baileys, created numerous flanking towers, as well as constructing a barbican for further fortification.

During Alnwick’s long and picturesque history, she has seen her fair share of conflict. In 1172 and again in 1174, Alnwick Castle was besieged by the Scottish king William the Lion, both times successfully defended by William de Vescy. On the second occasion, King William's troops were surprised by English forces, which pounced upon them in the fog and captured the Lion.

In 1215, the Baron of Alnwick turned against King John and joined the great confederation of barons, as well as joining forces with King Alexander of Scotland in his invasion of Northumberland. Alnwick Castle was then put to torch by John's army. The following year saw another rebellion against the English king, and Eustace de Vescy was killed while besieging Barnard Castle. Alnwick castle continued to be involved in bloody conflict over the ensuing centuries.

The Percy family were never very far away from controversy , Thomas Percy the seventh Earl of Northumberland, was beheaded by Queen Elizabeth in 1572 for his support of her adversary, Mary of Scotland, and the Roman Catholic Church; his brother, the 8th Earl, died in the Tower of London under mysterious circumstances, having also supported the Scottish queen. A cousin of the 9th Earl, had participated in the infamous gunpowder Plot of 1605.

In 1766 Sir Hugh Smithson became the 1st Duke of Northumberland, and was responsible for the castle's restoration, which he began in about 1755 under the guidance of Robert Adam, renowned for his Gothic architecture.

The 2nd Duke of Northumberland served in the American War of Independence and during his tenure at Alnwick, the Constable's tower was used as an armoury for the regiment he raised to repel any invasion by Napoleon. The 3rd Duke was succeeded by his brother, who was a great benefactor of the surrounding country, creating endowments for sailors and building schools and churches, farmhouses and cottages on his estates. He had envisaged great plans for the Castle but they were never completed during his or his successor's lifetime.

It was not until the 6th Duke of Northumberland that the main rooms were furnished and rebuilding, including some destruction of Adam's work was accomplished. The appearance of Alnwick Castle today records much of the history of the family who have owned it and mostly lived there for so many years.

The Dukes of Northumberland continued to maintain the grandeur of Alnwick castle and today, Alnwick Castle is an impressive stately home, with relics of its military origins clearly visible in the basic design, battlements, and massive fortitude of the structure.

Tourist information

Alnwick Castle is on the outskirts of Alnwick town, just over a mile from the A1. It is 35 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne; 30 miles south of Berwick upon Tweed and the Scottish Border; and 80 miles south of Edinburgh.

By Rail: A number of rail services from London, Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh stop at Alnmouth, which is 5 miles from Alnwick. Trains are met by the Alnwick Rail Connection, the 519 service from Alnmouth Station. All passengers have to do is get off the train at Alnmouth for Alnwick Railway Station and connect to Alnwick town by boarding the 519 bus - a journey of under 15 minutes. Edinburgh and Darlington are now both less than 90 minutes away from the historic centre of Alnwick thanks to the Alnwick Rail Connection.

Additionally, the 518 bus service leaves Alnmouth Station at 23 minutes past the hour from 09.23 until 22.23. A taxi can also be called from the station.