Alnwick Castle: The Lion of the North’s Spirits

Known today as “Hogwarts” to millions of Harry Potter fans, Alnwick Castle has a far longer and darker history than its film appearances suggest. For over 700 years, it has been the seat of the Percy family, the powerful Earls and Dukes of Northumberland who guarded England’s turbulent border with Scotland.

The History

The Percys

The Percy family acquired Alnwick in 1309. They became Earls of Northumberland and played crucial roles in English history:

• Harry Hotspur (Henry Percy) led the rebellion against Henry IV
• Multiple Percys died in the Wars of the Roses
• The family remained powerful through the Tudor and Stuart periods

The castle was heavily restored in the 18th and 19th centuries but retains its medieval core and atmospheric dungeons.

The Hauntings

The Vampire of Alnwick

One of England’s earliest recorded vampire cases occurred near Alnwick Castle in the 12th century. According to William of Newburgh, a local man who died was seen walking the streets at night, spreading pestilence. The corpse was exhumed and found to be bloated with blood. It was burned, and the hauntings ceased.

This medieval account suggests that Alnwick has been associated with the supernatural for nearly 900 years.

The Ghostly Footmen

Visitors have reported seeing spectral footmen in 18th-century livery:

• They appear to be performing their duties
• Walking through walls where doors once existed
• Carrying invisible trays and messages

The Alnwick Apparition

A tall, dark figure has been seen in the castle’s state rooms:

• Described as wearing dark Victorian clothing
• Has a menacing presence
• Causes electrical equipment to malfunction
• Disappears when directly observed

Dungeon Spirits

The castle’s dungeons are particularly active:

• Moaning and chains rattling have been heard
• Visitors report feeling touched by unseen hands
• Cold spots persist even in summer
• Some claim to see shadowy figures in the cells

The Grey Lady

A woman in grey has been seen on the castle ramparts, believed to be a medieval noblewoman who jumped to her death rather than face a forced marriage.

Modern Fame

While the castle is now famous for its Harry Potter connections, paranormal investigators continue to document activity:

• EVP recordings capturing voices in archaic English
• Thermal imaging showing unexplained heat signatures
• EMF spikes in historically significant areas

Visiting

Alnwick Castle is open to visitors and offers the Harry Potter filming locations tour. The Alnwick Garden, featuring the famous Poison Garden, is adjacent to the castle.

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Alnwick Castle has weathered Scottish raids, civil wars, and centuries of intrigue. Through it all, the spirits of its past residents remain, a ghostly garrison still defending the Lion of the North.