Alnwick Castle set to reopen as an outdoor attraction with reduced ticket prices

Its grounds will reopen on Monday, July 27 with tickets going on sale on Friday, July 24.

While the State Rooms and indoor areas of the castle sadly remain closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, visitors will be treated to a ‘behind the scenes’ view of the skilled work and craftsmanship involved in maintaining an iconic historic building such as Alnwick Castle.

Each year a continual programme of maintenance takes care of the fabric of the castle buildings and its stonework, repairing damage caused by weather erosion and air pollution.

With no visitors around, lockdown proved an ideal opportunity to focus on large-scale external repairs to the stonework and to the lead sheet roofs, as well as other structural works.

Also scheduled to begin shortly is renovation work to Prudhoe Tower.

Adele Hudson, head of Alnwick Castle Ventures: “Sadly we are not able to run our usual activities this year including the ever-popular broomstick flying lessons.

"Instead we are opening as an outdoor venue giving visitors a chance to explore the history of the castle over the centuries.

“Summer visitors will instead have a unique chance to see the extensive stone renovation works close up as the damaged walls are transformed under the hands of an army of skilled craftsmen, many of whom employ the same methods used by those who built them.

“To take account of these changes we have reduced our entry prices to just £6 per adult, with the under 16’s free of charge.

"In addition, a donation from each ticket sold will be shared between four local charities - HospiceCare North Northumberland, the Fusiliers’ Museum of Northumberland, the Bailiffgate Museum and The Alnwick Playhouse.

“The castle grounds have felt particularly empty this year without our visitors,” says Adele. “We look forward to welcoming people back and seeing them return to life.”

To prevent queues, overcrowding and to enable social distancing, a system of timed entry has been introduced. Tickets must be booked online and in advance at www.alnwickcastle.com

Access will be from the Alnwick Garden via the Lion Arch.

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