FHSU Alnwick
Home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, England, Alnwick Castle is full of history and importance. Built following the Norman conquest, the castle has been renovated and remodeled to accommodate educational residence programs and public visitors year-round, hosting as many as 600,000 visitors per year. Popular for its use in many famous movies, such as Harry Potter and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as well as Transformers: The Last Knight, to name a few, the castle sits along the River Aln just 5 miles inland from the North Sea, 32 miles south of the Scottish border, and 34 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Complimenting the castle is the contemporary Alnwick Gardens, inspired by the Duchess of Northumberland in 2001 and situated next to the castle, it boasts a mysterious bamboo labyrinth, a Poison Garden, the Grand Cascade, the traditional Ornamental Garden, and a mesmerizing Rose Garden.
Alnwick Village is a market town in Northumberland with a population of about 8,000. The town dates back to around AD 600 when it was most known as an agricultural center. Today, the town center has changed very little from its time as a staging post between Edinburgh and London. Walking through the village, you will find many quaint pubs, restaurants, boutiques, and the ever-famous Barter Books, home to the original, “Stay Calm and Carry On” poster.