Alnwick Castle (Regimental Museum)

Alnwick Castle, seat of the Duke of Northumberland, is a well-preserved example of a medieval fortress. The oldest parts of the castle are the fortified walls, dating from the 12th century, which were strengthened in the 14th century by the first Lord Percy and given towers. Around this time the massive main gateway was also built, which gave entry to the outer courtyard.

Picture - Lush grounds of Alnwick Castle.

Picture - The Alnwick Castle seen in winter.

View a slideshow of Alnwick Castle (Regimental Museum) Pictures

In the 18th and 19th centuries the castle underwent substantial restoration. Its artistic treasures include French period furniture from the 17th-19th century; Roman antiquities; a collection of paintings including works by Titian, Palma Vecchio, Sebastiano del Piombo, Tintoretto, Canaletto, van Dyck, William Dobson and Turner; valuable porcelain (including a Meissner dinner service in the dining-room); the state coach of the third Duke of Northumberland and an extensive library with 8,000 volumes, including handwritten prayer books and rare examples of early printing.

Alnwick Castle's Abbot's Tower houses the Regimental Museum of Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Official site: www.alnwickcastle.com

Address: Estates Office, Alnwick NE66 1NQ, England

Opening hours: Apr 1 to Oct 30: 10am-5pm

Entrance fee in GBP: Family £29.95, Adult £11.95, Concession or reduced rate £9.95, Child 16 & under £4.95

Useful tips: Last admission 4:30 pm.

Parking: Free

Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.

Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.

Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service

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Northumberland Walking Trails

This informal trail traces the Heritage coast to the Roman Wall. The trail begins at Greenhead, going past Hadrian's Wall to Twice Brewed, Bellingham, Otterburn, through the Northumberland National Park and finally to Rothbury.

A second trail begins at the Alnwick Castle, heading towards the coast at Alnmouth, going north to Craster, past the Dunstanburgh Castle to Banburg and up to Berwick-upon-Tweed. It is suggested that these trails be done over the course of about two weeks.