Wednesday 20 July 2016

Around UK in 7 days: Alnwick Castle

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته and good day!
After our Eid celebration, my family and I went for a road trip around the UK. We (my mum and I) have been planning this trip for months in advance. A lot of changes were made, in the end, we did manage to plan everything accordingly.
On Friday afternoon, after sending off my uncle and aunt to the airport (they couldn't come along since they can't take a lot of leave from work), my parents, my bestie and I head up north for our trip. Our first stop is Newcastle upon Thyne. Our main goal is actually further up, but it'll take too long of a drive to get there, so we break the trip a bit and rest in Newcastle. 



Our accommodation for the night that my mummy found through Airbnb. 
While we were there, of course, we should go somewhere for a visit, so I suggested Alnwick Castle, which is an hour from our accommodation. The castle was used for the shooting of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, plus many other movies and dramas. Being a huge fan of the two, naturally, I would arrange for us to go there.



The city of Alnwick. 


It's a very small town.


As you walk following the signs, you'll see the garden on your right.


One of the windows that previews the garden. We didn't enter since going around the castle will take most of our time. 

The entrance tickets only cost £13.45 for adult and £11.25 for students if you buy online. Prices are a bit higher if you buy at the booth.


The castle started to get a lot of attention since Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. It is, until today, remains the house of the Duke of Northumberland and his family. That is why parts of the castle are closed as it is a private property.


Most parts of the castle are open for visitors. There are the state rooms, where they maintained the furnishing, atmosphere as it was centuries ago. This is where the shooting for Downton Abbey are held. They even display the clothing that the actors/actresses wore during filming. However, cameras aren't allowed inside. I would've sneaked in a preview, but I need to behave since I was with my folks. huhu...


This is the coach room, where they used to put their vehicles. 

The main attraction of this castle is this...


Dumbledore...and of course...


Harry!!! I found out about their appearance on their website just a few days before we came here. Their appearance was only held for two days which included the day we arrived. Lucky!!!


These two lot were very entertaining and hilarious. They have what we love to call, the British humor. 

They even stayed to take pictures with everyone there. My phone suddenly died when I wanted to take the picture. I was so flustered, and they were kind enough to wait. 


Actually, before the two wizards appeared, we were entertained with other things such as the broomstick lesson.


We were just in time for this as well. We didn't even know what the schedule was. 


Professor what's her name and what's her face taught us some basic skills in mounting and flying a broomstick. Jolly good! Basically, they were bullying us and we let them. =P

It's all good fun.


On the last session, they thought us a few tricks to capture a good picture like in the movies. Such as these...


Good one mum. You're a genuine witch. woah...did I just call my mum a witch??!! *%£$


Hey..I'm even better. Didn't even manage to finish saying up, the broomstick already went up. Better than Harry I would say. 


err...this girl didn't really know what she's doing. The broom got up, nevertheless. Good Job!


And now the flying part...She made it look so easy


The feminine way of riding a broomstick.


Sorry lads...the broom just got away from me. It got a mind of its own.


Finally got the hang of it.


Victory pose...woohooo...We sure had fun. 


Afterwards, we went in the Knight experience. The most fun part about this is..


Getting to play dress up! We even made the wand inside the circle at the wand making experience. It's very simple, but enough to make kids like us have fun.


There's pillory...the medieval head and hand restraints where they use for their enemies and prisoners. 


Thrones for the king and queen...


This is a medieval loo (toilet). I don't know why they have this though. haha....I guess it's significant.

At first, my parents didn't want to join us in our quest. But after we told them of how fun it was, they want to join as well.


The King helping the damsel...


And made her his queen...All hail the king! =P

 
In the end, they had the most fun.

Beside the Knight's experience, there's the Dragon Quest. It's kind of like a haunted house for kids, but it was loads of fun!

 


After our knightly journey, we went outside for a stroll.


This guy is not actually playing the bagpipe. It's a fake! I'll show you a real one when we get to Scotland later on.


We climbed the walls of the castle.


It was a spectacular view. 


Inside the towers, there are more museums.


These statues actually talked. My bestie jumped when one of them talked while she was holding 'his' hands. hahahaha


oii you..I'm talking to you!


That's the end of our trip at the castle. There were actually more to see such as the dungeon, the world war exhibition, but we were wiped. So we head back. On our way out..we saw these birds. So many of them, walking towards us looking for food.


Do you know what kind of birds are they?

Until next time...

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