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Day Trip to Alnwick Castle and the Poison Garden

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Alnwick Castle in northern England makes for a great day trip from Edinburgh Scotland.

It may be hard to leave Scotland, but if you are interested in also visiting northern England, Alnwick is your best bet.

It not only has a medieval castle and a charming historic town but also a poison garden.

I traveled to Alnwick and back to Edinburgh in a day and it was well worth it. Here’s what you need to know to plan the best outing.

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Alnwick Castle + the Garden: Can You Do Both in One Day?

Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Garden are two separate entities: They charge two admission fees and they operate separately.

Both are quite large with lots to see but it’s definitely possible to do both.

Be sure to arrive early and use all the time available. You’ll need it!

By the way: Alnwick is pronounced “annick.” The “l” and “w” are pretty much silent. I know this because my pronunciation was corrected, so I hope you don’t suffer the same embarrassing fate.

A person with long hair, wearing a black jacket, stands on a grassy field near an old stone castle, with trees and rolling hills in the background under a cloudy sky.
Alnwick Castle
A woman stands smiling in front of the ornate black gates of The Poison Garden, with signs reading These Plants Can Kill. Lush trees and gravestone-shaped plaques are visible in the background.
Poison Garden

Quick Facts about Alnwick Castle and Garden

Location: Alnwick NE66 1NQ (Castle) / Alnwick NE66 1FJ (Garden)
Hours: Castle and garden open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from March 27; Garden open limited hours from Feb 11-Mar 26
Cost: £12.50 for adults (garden, online price); £22 for adults (castle, online price)
How to Get Tickets: Book online to get a discount and skip the queue.
How to Learn More: Visit the official Alnwick Garden website or the official Alnwick Castle website for more information.

Why Visit

Beautiful medieval castle. Alnwick Castle is truly a castle in the most fairytale sense of the word. It’s also been around since 1309, making it very medieval indeed.

Stunning State Rooms. Visitors can’t take pictures in the State Rooms, but let me tell you, it is jaw-dropping. The kind of opulence you don’t see everyday, unless of course you watch Downton Abbey, the finale episode of season 5 and 6 fairly often, because Brancaster Castle (Bertie’s inherited home) was filmed inside Alnwick Castle.

Poison Garden. One of the most unique gardens in the world — one that consists only of poisonous plants.

Cherry blossom orchard. The largest collection of Taihaku cherry trees, 329 to be exact, that all bloom together for two weeks are at the Alnwick Garden. Not only that, but there are 50 swings under these trees for you to savor the beauty.

A person stands on a large grassy lawn in front of a historic stone castle with tall towers and battlements on a cloudy day.
Alnwick Castle

How Long to Spend There

Plan to spend a very full day in Alnwick as there really is so much to do.

Estimated amount of time spent on each activity in Alnwick Castle and Garden:

  • Explore Alnwick Garden: 2 hours, including 30 minutes on poison garden tour
  • Walk to Alnwick Castle (and take pictures in front of it): 20 minutes
  • Quick lunch at the pizzeria in Alnwick Castle: 20 minutes
  • Explore Alnwick Castle: 3 hours
  • Take part in activities at Alnwick Castle (like broomstick training or Dragon Quest): 1 hour
  • Walk to the Lion Bridge view of Alnwick Castle: 20 minutes
A person with long brown hair and a brown backpack leans on a black railing, looking at a large stone castle with towers and battlements under a cloudy sky. The castle is surrounded by green grass.
Alnwick Castle

Suggested Itinerary: What to Do First? How to Structure Your Day

I recommend visiting Alnwick Garden first, so that you can be one of the first on the very popular Poison Garden tour. Everything else can wait!

Also, do plan to arrive right when they open — you’ll need every minute!

  • 10 a.m. Arrive at Alnwick Garden
  • 10:15-10:45 a.m. Take tour of Poison Garden
  • 10:45-noon. Explore Alnwick Garden
  • Noon. Walk to Alnwick Castle
  • 12:10 p.m. Arrive and take pictures in front of Alnwick Castle
  • 12:30 p.m. Quick lunch at the pizzeria in Alnwick Castle
  • 12:50-4:40 p.m. Explore Alnwick Castle and take part in activities like broomstick training or Dragon Quest
  • 4:40-5 p.m. Walk to the Lion Bridge view of Alnwick Castle

What Not to Miss at the Garden

Poison Garden Tour

The reason I recommend getting to the Poison Garden first is because tours cannot be booked or reserved. You have to wait in a queue upon arrival to the Poison Garden’s gates.

There are tours every 30 minutes, at a quarter past (:15) and a quarter till (:45).

Groups can be as big as 20 people.

Since I got there early for the first tour at 10:15 a.m., there were only 6 people in my group, which was a nice, small size.

What It’s Like on the Tour

You’ll enter the Poison Garden with a guide, who will talk about 6-7 plants — like the laburnum tree, nettles, and ghimpy ghimpy — but not about every plant in the garden.

People faint hearing the stories, which can be quite gruesome, and not so much from smelling or touching plants (as that is not allowed).

The guided tour lasts 20 minutes and then you’ll have about 5 minutes at the end to look around and take photos. It goes very quick, and then you’re ushered out to make way for the next group.

Is It Worth It?

It felt a bit disappointing how short the tour is. I wish we were told about more of the plants and given more time to explore.

I think if I came just for the Poison Garden and only saw that, I would be disappointed – but there is more to see in the Alnwick Garden, and there’s also, of course, the castle.

A woman stands smiling and pointing at the ornate iron gate of the Poison Garden, which is flanked by warning signs and surrounded by trees with autumn foliage. A rustic wooden hut sits to the left of the gate.
Poison Garden
A woman stands smiling on a winding stone path in a lush garden with green hedges, an autumn tree with orange leaves, and a stone wall in the background.
Poison Garden
A weathered wooden chair holds a chalkboard sign that reads Number of Faintings This Year: 126 with a skull and crossbones and the words Poison Garden Alnwick drawn on it.
Poison Garden
A person with long hair, wearing a jacket and carrying a white tote bag, stands on a paved garden path, framed by a circular, leafy tunnel. A stone wall and greenery are visible in the background.
Poison Garden
An iron gate features a skull and crossbones with the words “These Plants Can Kill” and a black spider decoration, warning of dangerous plants beyond the gate.
Poison Garden
A metal sign with a skull and crossbones symbol and the words “Helleborus orientalis” stands among green leaves, warning that the plant is toxic. Soil is visible in the background.
Poison Garden
A woman walks beside a garden and a stone wall with a large sign that reads Doctor Death, Harold Shipman next to an illustration of a mans face. Tall green bushes and hedges surround the area.
Poison Garden

Other Things to Do in the Garden

You could spend more than 2 hours wandering around Alnwick Garden, getting lost in the bamboo labyrinth, or letting all your worries fall away in the cherry blossom swings.

I forced myself to cut it short in order to get to the castle!

These are the highlights in the garden:

  • Cherry blossom swings (in April). Snag one of 50 swings under the largest collection of Taihaku cherry trees, 329 to be exact. Check the cherry blossom webcam in April to know the best time to see the blossoms.
  • Fall foliage (autumn). In autumn, you’ll find beautiful orange and red leafed trees all around the garden. It’s truly stunning.
  • Bamboo labyrinth. Wander around a twisting maze of bamboo, arching over the various pathways. It’s honestly larger than it seems and a bit of a puzzle to find your way out.
  • Ornamental garden. Stroll through the different “rooms,” in the ornamental garden, each framed by shrubs and trees, and featuring over 16,000 European plants. This was the original kitchen garden for Alnwick Castle, but it eventually fell into disrepair until it was revived in 1996.
A person with long dark hair sits alone on a wooden swing in a lush, green park, surrounded by trees with autumn-colored leaves. The scene is peaceful and tranquil.
Cherry blossom swings (in autumn)
A person stands smiling on a winding brick path surrounded by tall, dense bamboo stalks, with light filtering through the green leaves above. Fallen bamboo leaves cover the ground on either side of the path.
Bamboo labyrinth
A person stands on a path in a park surrounded by autumn trees with orange, yellow, and red leaves. Fallen leaves cover the ground and bushes. The sky is overcast.
Fall foliage, Alnwick Garden
A wooden bench sits beneath a leafy pergola in a formal garden with neatly trimmed hedges and blooming pink roses in the foreground.
Ornamental Garden
Clusters of small, pale pink daisy-like flowers with yellow centers and thin green stems, blooming densely in a garden setting.
Ornamental Garden

What Not to Miss at the Castle

Once you finally reach Alnwick Castle, it can be a bit overwhelming figuring out what to do first. The castle is huge, after all.

Here were some highlights for me that I suggest you don’t miss.

  • State Rooms. It’s surprising how lavish the interiors are when the exterior of the castle is so, well, old. Every room is opulent, but the library was my favorite room — it has 15,000 books and is just stunning.
  • Ramparts Walk. Walk on the edge of the castle walls and get a great view of the courtyard. When I was here, the broomstick training was taking place in the grass, which was fun to watch.
  • Gun Terrace. Cannons once lined this terrace but today it simply offers a great view of the landscape, River Aln, and Lion Bridge.
  • Tower museums. In some of the towers, you’ll find museums displaying Roman and early British artifacts as well as regimental assets.
  • Activities at Alnwick Castle. Alnwick Castle offers many activities from their walk-through attraction called Dragon Quest to archery to their famous broomstick training. Definitely ask a staff member what’s on for the day of your visit.
A person stands under a large stone archway in a historic building, surrounded by yellowish brick walls and additional arches in the background. The scene is lit with natural daylight.
Entrance to State Rooms, Alnwick Castle
A person with long hair and a brown backpack walks along a stone pathway next to an old castle wall with arched windows and battlements. The scene appears overcast and historic.
Ramparts Walk, Alnwick Castle
A stone castle tower with a blue clock face is set against a cloudy sky. The structure features battlements, arched windows, and an arched passageway beneath the tower.
Alnwick Castle
A person stands smiling on a stone wall overlooking a scenic landscape of green fields and trees under a cloudy sky.
Gun Terrace, Alnwick Castle
A person in a dark jacket sits on a stone bench in a small, old stone room, looking out through ornate, medieval-style windows with blue light shining in.
Tower Museum, Alnwick Castle

Before You Leave: View the Castle from Lion Bridge

It’s easy to miss or forget about Lion Bridge, but you definitely shouldn’t.

This bridge is worth visiting because of the incredible view of the castle. It’s so named because it has a lion statue on it, representing the Percy family.

To get there: Head out of the castle, exiting via the Castle Square Entrance (not the Greenwell Entrance). Then, you’ll just need to walk down the Peth toward the bridge.

A person with long brown hair and a black jacket stands by a stone wall, looking at a large historic castle surrounded by trees and grassy hills on an overcast day.
Lion Bridge
A stone bridge with arches spans a river, surrounded by grassy fields and dense trees with green and autumn-colored leaves. The scene is peaceful and natural.
Lion Bridge
A large stone castle sits atop a grassy hill surrounded by trees with autumn foliage, overlooking a small pond in the foreground under an overcast sky.
View of Alnwick Castle from Lion Bridge

Is It Worth It?

Visiting Alnwick Castle and Garden is 100% worth it. It’s honestly an incredible place that I was very glad to have seen for myself.

I’d even come back. Autumn (mid-October) was a beautiful time to visit, but I hope to return in the spring to see the cherry blossom trees!

A large medieval stone castle with crenellated towers and walls, set on a grassy lawn under an overcast sky. Trees and a pathway are visible to the left of the castle.
Alnwick Castle (Greenwell Entrance)
A hand holds a brochure for Alnwick Castle, featuring an illustrated map of the castle grounds with labeled areas, against the backdrop of the castle’s stone exterior and arched entrance.
Map of Alnwick Castle
A person walks along a path covered with fallen autumn leaves, surrounded by trees with golden-yellow foliage in a park.
Alnwick Garden

How to Get There (Visit on a Group Tour vs Visit on Own)

On a Group Tour

Alnwick Castle is a popular day trip from Edinburgh, and many companies offer group tours to it.

My favorite Scottish tour companies are Rabbie’s, Timberbush, and the Hairy Coo — I’ve taken many group tours with them and recommend them whole-heartedly.

I love group tours because you learn more of the area’s history from a local tour guide, and you don’t have to think about how to get somewhere or when, you are just along for the ride.

These group tours all visit Alnwick Castle as well as a few other stops on the way:

On Your Own: Train to Alnmouth

If you opt to journey to Alnwick Castle and Garden on your own, the train will get you there easily. This is how I traveled to Alnwick and I found it pretty simple.

Step 1: Take the train. From Edinburgh, I recommend taking the train from Waverley Station to Alnmouth Station. The train journey takes about one hour exactly (no transfers). I recommend booking your tickets on the Trainline app.

Step 2: Walk or take a bus. When you arrive at Alnmouth Station, you will then need to take the bus to Alnwick (look for the X18 or X20). It’s about a 10-15 minute bus ride. Try to time your train arrival to meet the bus as it doesn’t come around all that often.

Check Google Maps for the bus timetables (this is what I did and it was pretty accurate).

A person with long brown hair and a backpack stands on a paved path leading to the entrance of a large, historic stone castle with towers and arched gateways on a cloudy day.
Alnwick Castle
A stone castle tower stands on the left, overlooking a neatly mowed lawn, a gravel path with benches, and expansive green fields with trees showing autumn colors under a cloudy sky.
Alnwick Castle

Other Things to Do in Alnwick

Explore the Town

Alnwick is such a picturesque, historic town, with curving streets and vintage lampposts.

You could pop into a pub after your exhausting day out or wander around the shops.

A curved, empty street lined with old stone and brick buildings. Three people stand on the sidewalk by white and brown houses. The sky is overcast and the scene feels quiet and historic.
Alnwick

Barter Books

One shop in Alnwick I definitely recommend visiting is Barter Books. This bookstore is huge, set in a remodelled former train station — and it’s all used books.

There’s a train set rolling around atop the bookcases as an ode to its origins.

When you walk in there is a cozy fireplace near some couches for you to sit and read (or warm up).

There’s also a restaurant here in case you get hungry.

I mean it’s a great place to wander around if you arrive in Alnwick early (like I did).

Bookshelves filled with books line both sides of a long, arched library corridor. Signs label sections such as Biography and Royalty. Warm lighting and stone walls create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Barter Books

When to Visit

Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit to see the most flowers and greenery and life in the gardens.

April is particularly nice because all the cherry blossoms will (most likely) be out.

Is it worth visiting in late autumn or winter?

I wondered this too. I visited in October (the 14th to be exact) — would anything be blooming? Yes! And not only that, but the gardens were full of fall foliage.

I can’t vouch for other cold months (like November or December), but October was an absolutely beautiful time to visit.

A landscaped garden with neatly trimmed hedges forming a maze pattern, green lawn, scattered trees with autumn leaves, and a modern building in the background under a cloudy sky.
Alnwick Gardens

Where to Stay While Visiting

Alnwick makes for a great day trip from Edinburgh, so I’d recommend staying in Edinburgh while visiting.

To make things even more convenient, you should consider staying near the Waverley Train Station, especially if you plan to do a number of day trips from Edinburgh.

Recommended hotels in Edinburgh near Waverley Train Station:

However, you could be traveling through from a different city or wanting to stay overnight in Alnwick. In that case, consider staying in charming Alnwick.

Recommended hotels in Alnwick:

A stone castle wall with towers sits atop a grassy hill, overlooking a green field and scattered trees under a cloudy sky.
Alnwick Castle

What to Pack to Visit Scotland

Warm, waterproof wear

If you’re visiting Scotland during its cold and rainy season (almost every month of the year besides a few weeks in summer), you should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.

  • This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped us explore no matter the weather. We walked around Edinburgh in the rain and snow, during foggy mornings and chilly evenings, and enjoyed it all. Be prepared for rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
  • Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!

Favorite travel essentials

  • I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
  • I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
  • I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
  • I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
A woman explores Alnwick Castle and the Poison Garden, featuring an old stone castle, lush gardens, and an arched stone corridor. Text overlay reads Day Trip to Alnwick Castle and the Poison Garden.
A woman standing in a grassy field with a castle in the background.
Split image: Top—woman with long dark hair, back to camera, stands on grass near Alnwick Castle with autumn trees behind. Bottom—same woman stands at ornate black gates labeled The Poison Garden. Text promotes a day trip.

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