by James Ruggia
Last updated: 3:00 PM ET, Wed December 10, 2014
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
Alnwick Castle, AKA Hogwarts Castle, is getting a second boost from the world of cinema as a setting for Downton Abbey's Season 5.
On Jan. 4, the Crawleys will return to American television as Downton Abbey launches its fifth season up such storylines as the budding romance between Carson and Mrs. Hughes, Mary's choice of a second husband and the mystery of Bates' vengeance. The success of the popular series has given VisitBritain a perfect tactical tool for realizing their overall strategy of London Plus, which is designed to get people beyond the magnetic capital to explore other parts of the country.
Every Downton setting receives that special television pixie dust that immediately turns it into an attraction; 120 million international viewers will do that.The series' power really lifted Oxfordshire tourism and Visit Oxfordshire created a dedicated website with a downloadable map of such Downton locations as the village of Bampton, Highclere Castle and Byfleet Manor.
A newcomer to Downton Abbey in season 5 will be Alnwick Castle, a veteran setting in the Harry Potter series, which will be prominently used in a special Christmas episode. It will be like a second Christmas for the castle's fortunes as an attraction. When it became a Harry Potter fixture as Hogwarts Castle in 2011 it saw its visitation increase by 230 percent. No wonder the castle has added a new Downton Abbey exhibition, featuring photography, costumes, and props from the filming.
Located in Northumberland, in England's northeast, Alnwick is at the center of a new walking tour from Wayfarers in 2015: Northumbria - Land of Castles, Saints and Vikings, one of three Walks new to the schedule. The others are in Italy's Puglia region and a new take on the historic pilgrimage route of the Via Francigena in Tuscany.
The Wayfarers' Downton Abbey vacation already includes a visit inside the "real" Downton, Highclere Castle and other key locations and hiking in the English countryside. This year Wayfarers is offering Gift Certificates which can be redeemed by the recipient for a vacation in one of 20 countries.
Alnwick is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, with fabulous state rooms and one of the best art collections in England. Alnwick is commemorating World War 1 with a special exhibition based 'below stairs' examining the impact of the war on the inhabitants of the Castle and its Estate.
The castle's garden regularly hosts live music and theatrical performances. In May, there is an annual Cherry Blossom Festival and in August a two-day Ice Cream Festival. Alnwick Garden has such themed sections as the Ornamental Garden, the Grand Cascade, the Serpent Garden, the Poison Garden and one of the world's largest tree houses.
Alnwick is a member of An English Collection of attractions, hotels and local operators.
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