Alnwick Castle and Gardens

[DominickTheItalianXmasDonkey]

Will everything be dead in the Gardens in October?

Is the castle worth visiting? Is there plenty to see? Reviews seem mixed. Are parts of the castle shut off because of Covid restrictions?

The gardens have some fabulous water features, which should be just fine in October. Is expensive though.

Both looked lovely when we were in Alnwick this week, however thought I'd let you know dogs aren't allowed in either. We were hoping to at least circle the castle but couldn't get anywhere near, as you access it through the gardens. Not the end of the world but thought I'd let you know!

Honestly I don’t think it’s worth going unless you live nearby so can make use of the year ticket.
I would definitely visit Alnwick it’s so pretty and lovely, but I’d save the money and go to the book shop and have a walk in the woods.
There’s the treehouse for drinks and there’s an amazing chocolate shop in the village which serves the best hot chocolate.

If you’re coming from far away I think beamish is much better value for money (depends where you are staying obviously).

We visited last October half term, and we came out with a mixed feeling too. We included it as the kids are Harry Potter fans but there wasn't a awful lot on that. Certainly, it was nice to wander around the grounds looking at the castle, but there wasn't a lot open 'inside' and what there was had 20 minute + queues because of the restrictions of only allowing 1 family group in at a time (obviously that wasn't their fault, and may well be different now). We wouldn't rush back or especially recommend it, for the price that it is.

We’ve been this summer! Inside open, restrictions lifted. Lovely to have a mooch around. But, we live close enough to visit multiple times on our year pass.

If I had to choose one, would choose the gardens over the castle.

We went in July - decided to skip the castle and just go to the gardens.

It was very beautiful - much bigger than we thought, with lots of hidden areas. Highlight for me was the rose garden, unbelievable scent, but of course you'll miss that in October.

They do have some cool water sculptures, a maze, and a poison garden, which of course will be interesting whatever time of year. And I could watch the cascade all day.

Castle - meh - not bothered. You aren't short of castles if you're in Northumberland!