Why Britain's Largest Private Castle Was Abandoned: Alnwick Castle

It's wild to think that Alnwick Castle was once abandoned - that legendary colossal giant featured in films like Harry Potter and shows like Downton Abbey.
Through vigorous restoration efforts fueled by legendary architects and horticulturalist spanning hundreds of years, the castle was reborn.
In today’s episode, we’ll not only give you a guided tour of this illustrious home, but also dive a bit deeper and explain how one of England’s most beautiful castles avoided the wrecking ball.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:52 Chapter 1: The Awe-Inspiring Alnwick
8:23 Chapter 2: The Beginnings of Alnwick Castle
12:21 Chapter 3: Abandonment and Desertion
15:01 Chapter 4: The Resurgence
20:04 Chapter 5: Alnwick Today
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Nestled in the heart of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle commands the English landscape with a majesty rooted in ancient origins.
As the second-largest inhabited castle in the UK, it serves as the prestigious stronghold of the Percy family, echoing a legacy rich in the tumultuous history of British aristocracy.
Despite periods of grandeur, Alnwick once faced a darker era of silence and abandonment when the Percy family withdrew, leaving its grand halls and lush gardens to the wild.
But fate had grander plans.
Through centuries of cultural significance, Alnwick Castle was resurrected through rigorous restoration efforts.
Today’s narrative explores how one of England’s most beautiful castles avoided the wrecking ball, recounting its rise from abandonment to splendor.
Alnwick Castle has been the Percy family's home since 1309 when Lord Henry Percy acquired it, passing through generations of warriors, strategists, and diplomats.
Apart from its historical depth, the castle has also starred in numerous films and TV shows, including doubling as Hogwarts in the first two "Harry Potter" films and appearing in "Downton Abbey" and "Transformers: The Last Knight."
Its architecture, featuring a double bailey and a circle of ten towers, combines defensive strength with aesthetic grandeur.
Inside, the State Rooms, refurbished in the 19th century, exhibit the Percy family’s taste for splendor, housing a collection of arms and a library of nearly fifteen thousand books.
The Drawing Room and the Great Hall, among other spaces, showcase Italianate grandeur and medieval robustness, respectively.
The grounds are equally impressive, with the Duchess of Northumberland's revival of the Alnwick Garden in 2001, introducing contemporary design into a charity-focused landscape.
The garden features the Grand Cascade, a theatrical water display, and the Poison Garden, home to about 100 toxic plants secured behind bars, offering tales of historical poisonings.
The saga of Alnwick Castle began in 1096 with Yves de Vescy and has witnessed continuous enhancements, including the Percy family's modifications in the 14th century which transformed it from a military outpost to a cultural hub.
The castle’s resilience was tested through events like the Anglo-Scottish wars and the English Civil War, leading to periods of decline.
However, the 18th-century architectural revival led by Robert Adam and others restored its former glory, aligning it with both modern comforts and medieval splendor.
The restoration continued under Algernon Percy, the 4th Duke of Northumberland, in the 19th century, with architect Anthony Salvin blending historical reverence with modern needs, which preserved the castle's integrity while introducing modern comforts.
Today, Alnwick Castle balances its ancient heritage with modern vibrancy.
It hosts historical reenactments and interactive tours, enhancing visitor engagement and educational opportunities. Recent restoration efforts ensure the castle’s structural integrity and historical accuracy, preparing it for future generations.
Alnwick is not just a relic of the past but a dynamic cultural hub, inviting visitors to experience its storied halls and vibrant history.
Alnwick Castle's journey from a Norman stronghold to a living piece of history is a testament to resilience and revival, symbolizing the endurance of cultural heritage through the ages.

[@oldmoneymansions]

COMMENT: Have you visited Alnwick Castle before - or would like to?

[@louisemidgley8318]

Please can you do a program on the history of Holkham Hall

[@paoladimeo412]

@@oldmoneymansions I have visited the castle Alnwick it’s smashing worth going too visit. Fantastic

[@donnaashbrook8169]

I have not visited Alnwick before as I am a stranger to Northumberland. Born in Lancashire and a devotee of history and castles, I totally enjoyed your journey through the story of this magnificent castle and yes, I will definitely make some time to travel up that way as I also wish to see Bamburgh Castle, the home of Ughtred!

[@mariaclark7358]

I’ve been many times as I live not too far out from Newcastle absolutely stunning to see with those beautiful gardens. So glad it has been saved wish more historic buildings hadn’t been lost. Thanks so much for a snippet of Barter Books 📕 just love this place especially in the winter with its real fire 🔥 and coffee shop the books are fantastic to browse through with some very old collections. Northumberland is a wonderful historical county with many more castles priories churches you name it. Thanks 🙏 for this wonderful look into the North East of England ❤❤❤

[@marietimperley6005]

Thank you so much for producing this wonderful historical tour of a castle I discovered through Downton Abbey. I particularly appreciated the distinguished voice of the narrator. I wish all historical tours were narrated by this gentleman. I will watch again with pleasure this virtual tour. This is the way I travel nowadays. Thanks again and again.

[@ruthmusser4449]

Love it too❤ But I imagine that voice could also read a horror story that would make you shiver.😊

[@oldmoneymansions]

Thank you so much! We are glad you enjoyed this one! :)

[@sandramarieroberts1172]

You know that voice is Hugh Bonneville himself, right?

[@margaretlogan3185]

😊😊

[@garybrindle6715]

Thank you for the wonderfully scripted film visit to a restored ruin. The narrative is eloquent with pacing perfectly matching the immersive images.

[@oldmoneymansions]

Thanks for the kind comment, Gary!

[@somebloke5565]

Shame the script was not in English. Narrator is English, castle is English. Why write in American? If this featured the 'Empire State' would it be done in English? No... of course not. The script would be in authentic in American, and rightly so.

[@chadsimmons6347]

Poison Plant Section?That's beyond legendary, when these guy's throw a party, the fun would last a lifetime! (thankx)

[@shelleydunxan2380]

A friend of my mother did her teacher training at Alnwick castle. I believe that this was during WW2. I have driven past and admired Alnwick during my visits to the UK from Australia. My father was a Geordie. I would love to do a tour one day.

[@painterdeb1147]

This American was there a few years ago, really impressive. We visit family in Newcastle every year. They laugh at me every time I mispronounce it, I want to pronounce the L.

[@britpackdog4545]

Don't go to Warwick 😂

[@weejackrussell]

In response to britpackdog4545 - Yes, tell them to go to Warwick but find out how to pronounce it first!!!

[@lesleywallace5748]

Thank you for the memory ,l visited the castle in 2018,while on a trip with globus though England , loved all the old churches castles etc, as we aren't old enough 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿

[@Beany-bean]

Been to the castle and gardens countless times. I live 20 minutes from Alnwick, and I sometimes work in Alnwick : )

[@SilviaAxisa-rn1gn]

I would love too visit it one day it is beauiful, and the poisonous garden ,wow

[@Brembelia]

It is heartbreaking to see so many of these castles built in the Middle Ages become abandoned. These things are precious. Once gone, we can never get them or that connection back again. We lament when something goes extinct or crumbles to ruins, but for the most part, no one seems to want to do anything to save them. It's a relief when any historical society or group finally takes an interest and is willing to grab these pieces out of time and pull them back from vanishing forever. It is an amazing feeling to walk around in an historic house or noble castle, to see what they saw so many centuries ago, to walk the same floors, to experience the same ambiance and wonder about their lives. These are miracles of time travel. I hope we are coming into a time when the past will be revered, cherished, and preserved for future generations so they, too, can marvel at what those people accomplished and how they saw the world during their time. Many thanks to all of the restorers and preservers. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. You'll never know just how much. ❤

[@user-ny8hk2wf9y]

It was I believe for many years the seat of the mighty Percy family and is an enchanting place to visit with beautifully furnished rooms and magnificent gardens.

[@paoladimeo412]

I have been too anck. Castle it’s fantastic. Words can’t describe how beautiful it is ❤❤

[@ericmattinen4728]

The castle is also home to an exchange program with St Cloud State University (MN) where students stay in the castle for a semester while studying there and touring the UK. To date, there have been over 4000 SCSU alumni that have been through the program since 1976. While I didn't go, I have several friends that did and absolutely loved it! They also said that he Duke and Duchess, Ralph and Jane Pearcy and their children were lovely people.

[@malcomflibbleghast8140]

one of my ancestors was baptised as a child in the town in 1800, they farmed for a period about 4 miles to the NE of the castle.

[@mikalasimpson7789]

Now on my to do list, thank you

[@oldmoneymansions]

Wonderful!

[@sunniclark6827]

Thank you! Unable to visit i loved the history, plus I am a huge fan of Harry Potter so enjoyed being able to see thoe scenes!

[@BuzzSargent]

This is the 1st time I have ever seen your channel. I enjoyed the flow of information and how it was presented. I am from the State of New Hampshire and have always found it interesting how folks in the United States have stayed interested in these castles over the years. When you pulled back the drone shot I had visions of Camelot in the wide view of the lands and Alnwick Castle.

[@oldmoneymansions]

Thanks, Buzz! Welcome!

[@ruthmusser4449]

Amazing !

[@ken2tou]

This makes Biltmore house look like a cottage! Well done! We certainly will visit, when next in the area. BTW: I have family lineage to Robert The Bruce. However, I shall not lay siege to your most beautiful castle! Promise!

[@oldmoneymansions]

Haha! Don't lay siege :)

[@taybak8446]

You write beautifully. I wish I had your sense of literary aesthetics.

[@mattkusiak2675]

One day I will visit

[@joedwards7194]

I would love to !

[@sheepdog1102]

Well done 😊

[@mickbenton8196]

There are more castles in Northumberland than any other county in Britain.

[@elizabethcornwell4156]

There are one or two inaccuracies in the commentary.You show a picture of the medieval barbican & talk about Salvin’s porte cochere & why intercut with scenes from Downton Abbey implying they are the Percy family!?

[@maryfrump7937]

Percy's- my Ancestors. I would love have to have been abe to buy it.

[@Arational]

Also the filming location for Blackadder 1-3

[@TraceyHausel]

I missed out on the El Dorado Fortress.

[@cooljets]

They got their heating bill.

[@ralphbennett8575]

Visited in 2019

[@MsRichycon]

There putting a load of refuge's in there i heard

[@geoffas]

Eeek!

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

It’s still a shell though.. like most of the uk castles….

[@aprilporter7908]

Great video, perhaps dialing down the obsequious nature of the narrative would be an improvement ?

[@geoffas]

I thought the script was well written and evocative. Each to their own, I suppose.

[@markorollo.]

Resists temptation to mention wiza.......ohh

[@claireellis8242]

Haunted and to much in upkeep.

[@kevinquist]

brief and catchy title. 🤣

[@KD-wm5po]

Envisage! Not ‘envision’ 🙁

[@malcomflibbleghast8140]

the MORE important tv appearance.....Black ADDER I

[@tackcolin6645]

How many rooms are in this castle?