You don’t need an acceptance letter to visit Hogwarts: the castle is now open to muggles year-round! A visit to Alnwick Castle makes it clear why it was chosen to portray Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Explore the hallways wandered by wizards and witches of every age. Stand in the courtyard where Harry First learned to fly a broom. Gape up at the looming walls that stood against the darkest wizard who ever lived.
With construction beginning in 1096, the castle has withstood the test of time extremely well. It is one of the best-preserved castle in Europe, while many others have fallen into disrepair. After the Harry Potter films were released, Alnwick Castle became the ideal of what a castle is supposed to look like in the public mind.