Autumn Sun on Northumberland’s Great Stronghold – Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is one of the most iconic fortresses in northern England, a stronghold whose history stretches back to the Norman conquest. First established in the late eleventh century and expanded significantly in the centuries that followed, it became the principal seat of the Percy family, one of the most powerful dynasties in British history. The castle has seen everything from medieval warfare to political upheaval, and its architecture reflects that long evolution: massive curtain walls, gatehouses, baileys and the grand inner keep that signals both strength and status. In the fourteenth century, the Percys played central roles in the turbulent politics of the Anglo-Scottish border, and Alnwick stood at the heart of their influence. Later, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it underwent major restoration and remodelling, transforming it into both a functional family home and a romanticised vision of the medieval past. Today, it remains lived-in, loved and unmistakably alive – a rare example of a castle that still feels complete without losing its historical integrity.

Capturing Alnwick Castle from the air on an autumn morning reveals the scale and beauty of its design in a way that’s difficult to appreciate from the ground. The outer walls sweep around the grassy bailey in a near-perfect arc, casting long shadows that emphasise the thickness of the defences. Inside, the layered courtyards and towers nestle together, forming a complex network of spaces that reflect centuries of development. Beyond the stonework, the landscape tells its own story: rolling Northumberland hills, pockets of woodland turning to gold, and the rooftops of Alnwick clustered neatly around the castle’s northern edge. The clarity of the light brought out every texture – the warm tones of the sandstone, the crisp edges of the battlements and the rich colours of the trees. From this vantage point, Alnwick feels both imposing and harmonious, a fortress completely at home in its landscape. It’s a reminder of how this castle has stood as a symbol of power, heritage and northern identity for nearly a thousand years, and how a change in season can reveal something new even in the most familiar places.