Current use Alnwick Castle

the exterior of alnwick castle north west



main entrance alnwick castle

the current duke , family live in castle, occupy part of it. castle open public throughout summer. after windsor castle, second largest inhabited castle in england. alnwick tenth most-visited stately home in england according historic houses association, 195,504 visitors in 2006.

since world war ii, parts of castle have been used various educational establishments: firstly, newcastle upon tyne church high school; then, 1945 1977, alnwick college of education, teacher training college; and, since 1981, st. cloud state university of minnesota branch campus forming part of international study program.

special exhibitions housed in 3 of castle s perimeter towers. postern tower, featuring exhibition on dukes of northumberland , interest in archaeology, includes frescoes pompeii, relics ancient egypt , romano-british objects. constable s tower houses military displays percy tenantry volunteers exhibition, local volunteer soldiers raised repel napoleon s planned invasion in period 1798–1814. abbot s tower houses regimental museum of royal northumberland fusiliers.

an increase in public interest in castle generated use stand-in exterior , interior of hogwarts in harry potter films. appearance in films has helped shape public imagination regarding castles should like. condition contrasts vast majority of castles in country, ruinous , unfit habitation.