Free parking in Alnwick is primarily available in several Northumberland County Council car parks, with many, such as Greenwell Road (B and C), offering free, long-stay options. Other options include time-restricted spaces (requiring a £1 parking disc) on Fenkle Street, and in parts of Greenwell Road (A and D), as well as near the library and Playhouse.
Alnwick Castle Parking. If you wish to park at the castle you can follow the postcode NE66 1YU, where you will be directed to The Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Garden shared car park. Please note there is a small £3.50 charge taken via contactless payment only.
For free parking, look for National Trust properties like Gibside or Chirk Castle, outdoor spaces such as beaches or parks like Gibside, retail parks with specific free hours (e.g., IKEA in Singapore), or check local council websites for designated free parking zones or Sunday/evening restrictions in city centers.
Do you have to pay for parking at Alnwick Gardens?
If using sat nav please follow NE66 3RA for the correct off-ramp on the A1 then follow signs for The Alnwick Garden. The Alnwick Garden car park is off Denwick Lane (B1340). The postcode for the car park is NE66 1FJ (parking charge is £3.50 per car per day).
The castle is free to visit as a Historic Houses member. Alnwick Castle is open daily from 28 March until 23 October. Combining magnificent medieval architecture with spectacular Italianate State Rooms, Alnwick Castle is one of the UK's most significant heritage destinations.
ALNWICK: A Beautiful Medieval Town in England! Alnwick Historic Tour Northumberland
Can you see Bamburgh Castle without paying?
You do have to pay admission to visit inside the Castle but you can get a decent view from the outside without spending a penny. There's a path which runs alongside the castle walls (village side) and has some info boards and there's a war memorial to see too. The views across the village are pretty spectacular too.
With a capacity for up to 80 guests, Borthwick Castle sets the stage for unforgettable experiences, creating an atmosphere that seamlessly intertwines storied history with modern convenience. Join a prestigious list of previous film projects, including “Outlaw King”, “The Princess Switch 3”,and “Men in Kilts”.
IS THERE FREE PARKING? Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden share a car park where there is a charge of £3.50 for a day of parking, starting from 9am. Please note that only card and contactless payments are accepted.
Bamburgh Castle is famous as the stand-in for Bebbanburg, Uhtred's ancestral home, in Netflix's historical drama The Last Kingdom, with filming taking place on its beaches for battle scenes, though the interiors are from Hungary. The iconic castle has also featured in Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Transformers: The Last Knight, and was recently highlighted in Channel 4's A Very British Christmas.
"Free parking day" isn't a universal holiday but refers to local council schemes, often on Sundays, Bank Holidays, or specific evenings/weekends (like after 6 PM or for a few hours on Saturday) in various cities (e.g., York, Bedford, Southampton), with specific rules like Blue Badge holder exemptions or mandatory ticket display even for free periods. To find free parking, check your local council's transport/parking website for specific dates and locations, as rules vary significantly.
The Alnwick Garden and Alnwick Castle car park is off Denwick Lane (B1340). The postcode for the car park is NE66 1FJ (parking charge is £3.50 per car per day).
Practical Visitor Information. There is so much to see and do at Alnwick Castle and Garden that it's worth at least half a day of your time. In total we spent 5.5 hours on site, including lunch in the restaurant. Location: Alnwick, Northumberland (just off the A1; about 30 miles from Newcastle, 5 miles from the coast).
Set in the early 20th century, it explores social change and family dynamics. The series is known for its complex characters and stunning period costumes. Alnwick Castle was used as one of the Downton Abbey filming locations for the show, serving as the fictional Brancaster Castle.
CECIL COURT THE REAL DIAGON ALLEY. Cecil Court being "just off Charing Cross Road" and with its curious mix of bookshops and antique shops, is widely believed to be the real Diagon Alley, or at least the thoroughfare on which Diagon Alley was based.
It is a Grade I listed building now the home of Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland and his family. In 2016, the castle received over 600,000 visitors per year when combined with adjacent attraction the Alnwick Garden.
How much does parking typically cost in Bamburgh? Parking in the public car park on Links Road, opposite the castle costs £4.50 for up to 3 hours, with a maximum charge of £7 for a day. Longer term parking tickets are also available, such as an annual ticket for £225.
