Fairytale castles

ALNWICK CASTLE

Sprawling Victorian gardens, Italianate interiors and a claim to fame as Hogwarts in two Harry Potter films, Alnwick

Castle is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Built during the Norman conquests, it’s the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, whose ancestral name of Percy appears in Shakespeare plays. Visit for a glimpse into British history, and even a broomstick lesson. alnwickcastle.com

CHILLINGHAM CASTLE

Chilling by name, chilling by nature: this 13th-century fortress bills itself as

Britain’s most haunted.

Six ghosts are said to wander its rooms, including the Radiant Boy, whose cries echo in corridors at midnight. Set within rolling countryside half an hour inland from Seahouses, the castle even has eight rooms for brave travellers to spend the night, joining a night tour to hear more about the castle’s ghostly residents. chillingham-castle.com

WARKWORTH CASTLE

The towering ruins of Warkworth Castle stand guard over the River Coquet, which snakes its way out to sea at the southern end of Northumberland Coast AONB. Add on a side trip to Warkworth Hermitage, a chapel carved out of the cliff face, accessible only by boat. Check opening times before you go; they’re more limited than the neighbouring fortress. english-heritage.org.uk