Off The Beaten Track Alnwick Castle - More Familiar than you may think

Northumberland has a violent history.

Cross border raids from the Scots, with looting and pillaging, ensured that when it comes to castles, we have the most and finest quality of any county in the country.

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England and probably one of the most famous. The original home of Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter films, as well as featuring in the first series of Rowan Atkinson's comedy Blackadder, there are many aspects of the castle that will be oddly familiar.

In 1309, the first Lord Percy, Henry, bought the castle and immediately set about renovating the buildings and grounds.

In 1364 Harry Hotspur, was born in the Keep above the gatehouse of the castle. He first saw battle at the age of 8 and was later knighted at the age of 11 having established his reputation as a great warrior. His impulsive nature would lead to eventual capture by opposing forces.

Henry, The Ninth Earl of Northumberland, was born in 1564 and would have became known as the Wizzard Earl due to the scientific experiments he carried out, as well as the vast library he accrued, as well as being a central figure of The School of Knight. So it is appropriate hundreds of years later that Alnwick Castle became home to Harry Potter's Hogwarts school.

The constable of Alnwick Castle in 1605 was Thomas Percy, the Ninth Earl's cousin. He was responsible for collecting rents and managing bailiffs. Thomas had dinner with the Ninth Earl on 4th November 1605, however the next day, the 5th November, Thomas Percy was exposed as one of the central figures of the Gunpowder Plot to blow up parliament and was shot and killed while trying to escape. The ninth earl was believed to be guilty, by association but no more and imprisoned in the infamous Tower of London.

1950 saw the castle first open to the public and while you tour the castle it is important to remember that despite its huge scale and grandeur, it is still a family home. You will see faces in photographs around the castle who can sometimes be spotted mingling with the crowds of visitors.

During my visit I had a close encounter with a Range Rover, driven by none other than Ralph, the Twelfth Duke of Northumberland himself.

There are also plenty of activities available for younger visitors around the castle. The Knights School is particularly popular, on the day I was there a school visit prevented me filming, though the children loved dressing up in costume, practicing their swordsmanship and jousting around the arena.

Add to this the Dragon Quest. A true test of young knights' problem solving skills and bravery, but like the sign says children. Make sure you take a grown up with you, as children who venture inside on their own may be fed to the dragon.

Historic Alnwick Castle, a great day out for history, tv or film buffs and families alike.

Music from the Podsafe Music Network: