Alnwick Castle has won the Best Family Day Out category in the UK Heritage Awards 2018. Previously known as Hudson’s Heritage Awards, the UK Heritage Awards 2018 recognise the finest historic houses, gardens, museums and heritage sites in the UK.
The judging panel consisted of country house consultant Simon Foster, author and TV presenter Lucinda Lambton, architectural writer and author Jeremy Musson, tourism consultant Ken Robinson CBE, writer and art historian Helen Rossly, and Director of Visit Heritage Paul Bridle.
The awards ceremony took place on 6 March in London’s Goldsmith’s Hall. Head of Alnwick Castle Ventures, David Hawke, attended on behalf of the Castle and collected the award. He said, “We are absolutely thrilled to win this prestigious national award. It’s a huge accolade for everyone who works here at Alnwick Castle.
“This is great – not only for Alnwick Castle, but also for Alnwick, for Northumberland and the North East too. It’s recognition of the huge amount of professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment that the whole Castle team has demonstrated over the last few years to make a visit to Alnwick Castle a day out like no other. Every member of our team goes above and beyond to ensure all our visitors always have a wonderful time – from the careful planning of new events and exhibitions to the friendly, helpful attitude to visitors and fantastic variety and quality of the activities. To have won against beautiful places such as Hampton Court Palace and Blenheim Palace is amazing. This fabulous, national award is for everyone who works here.”
The Castle was the only heritage attraction in the North East of England to be shortlisted in the Best Family Day Out category, and is one of the UK’s most popular medieval castles. It has been the family home to the Dukes of Northumberland and the famous Percy family for over 700 years and has been the location for numerous films and TV dramas, including Harry Potter, The Hollow Crown, Transformers, and Downton Abbey.
Open annually every day to visitors from April to October, Alnwick Castle offers a fantastic array of fun activities and events for all ages, from the fire-breathing ‘Dragon Quest’ to film location tours, Harry Potter themed events and stateroom tours. For more information please visit alnwickcastle.com or call 01665 511100.
