Just as in
season 5, the Christmas special of the sixth season of DOWNTON ABBEY, ‘The
finale’, is partially set at Brancaster Castle, Alnwick Castle in real life. The Crawley
family again visits this castle in the autumn of 1925 which is now owned by Marquess
Herbert “Bertie” Pelham (Harry Hadden-Paton).
Downton Abbey, season 6, Christmas special, 00:36:09
He has
asked Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) to marry him. She would like to accept the
proposal but has doubts because of a secret she carries. This last episode of
the season, as well as the final episode of the series, was broadcasted by ITV on
25 December 2015 in the United Kingdom and on 6 March 2016 by PBS in the United States. Filming in
Northumberland, where Alnwick Castle is located, was done in July 2015. Both
the interior and the exterior of the castle can be seen in the episode, but the
shoot differs from the Christmas special of the previous season, see also
Alnwick Castle.
There are a
few similarities with the photos and a small video we made when we visited Alnwick
four years earlier. We also made a tour in the castle but it was not allowed to
make photographs inside.
Lord
Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) arrive in their
car and drive from the main entrance to the castle. The large photo hanging on
the wall to the right of the entrance is of the flying lesson from the firstHarry Potter-movie that was also filmed here.
Downton Abbey, season 6, Christmas special, 00:27:14
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Downton Abbey, season 6, Christmas special, 00:27:24
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Downton Abbey, season 6, Christmas special, 00:27:26
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Downton Abbey, season 6, Christmas special, 00:36:00
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
This video
almost follows the same track as the camera when Lord and Lady Grantham arrive.
In the Christmas special of the fifth season of DOWNTON ABBEY, ‘A Moorland holiday’, the Crawley family pays a visit to the family-in-law of lady Rose in the autumn of 1924. They have been invited by Lord and Lady Sinderby to hunt pheasants and stay at Brancaster Castle.
This episode was broadcasted first by ITV on 25 December 2014 in the United Kingdom and by PBS on 1 March 2015 in the United States. Brancaster Castle is Alnwick Castle in real life, a location seen in more than 30 films and television series. The website of Alnwick Castle lists all titles, including information for future filming opportunities. Filming for Downton Abbey took place in July and August of 2014 in and around Alnwick, including a local high school that was temporarily transformed into a pub, ‘The Crown and Anchor’.
We visited the castle three years earlier, amongst others because it is featured in Harry Potter and Robin of Sherwood. Some of the photos that we took are similar with the images that as seen in this episode.
In the first scene Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) goes to the prison of York by taxi to visit her maid Anna (Joanne Froggatt). The entrance of the prison is actually the main entrance of Alnwick Castle. This scene was filmed on 4 August 2014.
Downton Abbey, season 5, Christmas special, 0:00:33
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Alnwick Castle can be seen from various views and is photographed beautifully. The presence of the filmcrew has resulted into an exhibition of the series in 2015 at the castle, including a groups-exclusive tour of the State Rooms as seen in the Christmas special.
Downton Abbey, season 5, Christmas special, 0:09:56
The first and second episode of ROBIN OF SHERWOOD (American title: Robin Hood) are partially set in the castle of Notthingham (see also: Bamburgh Castle) where Robin (Michael Praed) and his friends are imprisoned, manage to escape but later return, in disguise, to participate in an archery contest.
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:04:29
These episodes were first broadcasted on 28 April 1984 as a two hour special. Filming was done all over England in the early ’80s. The exterior of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland was chosen as the castle of Nottingham. Although the history of this landmark goes back to the eleventh century, the current construction was mainly built in the fourteenth century. It is still home of the Duke of Northumberland and his family. Eight months of the year, from March until October, it is open to visitors. See the website of Alnwick Castle for details.
The Inner and Outer Bailey of the castle can easily be recognized. In the first episode, ‘Robin Hood and the sorcerer - part 1’, Robin Hood and his merry men are being captured and locked away in a dungeon. They find a way out and enter the courtyard where a market is being held. Although their escape is being discovered quicky, they manage to flee to Sherwood Forest.
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 1, 0:11:58
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 1, 0:25:04
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
In an attempt to capture Robin Hood again, the sheriff of Nottingham Robert de Rainault (Nickolas Grace) organizes an archery contest in the second episode, ‘Robin Hood and the sorcerer - part 2’. The winner will receive the Silver Arrow, a precious and ancient trophy. Robin wins the tournament, dressed as an old man. When he receives his price, his hands betray his real age and identity. With the help of his men he escapes the castle a second time. The scenes of the contest were all filmed at the Outer Bailey. Note in the first screenshot that two lights have been camouflaged with hay (for the horses?).
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:07:53
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:08:16
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:12:52
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:13:38
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:17:45
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:17:48
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 2, 0:21:19
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
In episode 5, ‘Alan a Dale’, another market is being held at the castle of Nottingham. These scenes were probably filmed at the same time as the escape from the dungeon in episode 1. The castle is hardly visible and can only be seen in the background during a few brief moments.
Robin of Sherwood, season 1, episode 5, 0:38:17
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Alnwick Castle can be glimpsed briefly in the third episode, ‘The witch of Elsdon’, when Sir Guy of Gisburne (Robbert Addie) and his soldiers try to find Robin and his friends. They leave the castle through the Lion Arch.
The movie of the first Harry Potter book, HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSPHER’S STONE (also known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone), follows the first year of the young wizard at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Alnwick Castle, situated in the county Northumberland in the north of England, was chosen as the principal shooting location for Hogwarts. The castle was used only for exterior scenes and filming was done in the summer of 2011. Building of the castle started around 1100 and over the years it has been rebuilt and renovated several times.
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
For more than 700 years it is has been home for the same family, headed by the Duke of Northumberland. Between March and October the castle is open to the public. Since the filming of the Harry Potter movies the number of visitors has been tripled and there are several activities especially for children, including how to master your broom in a ‘broomstick training’. One of the castle’s walls has a large photo from the first film with the text “Take your first flying lesson!”. More information can be found on the website of Alnwick Castle.
At Hogwarts Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his class mates get their first flying lesson from Madame Hooch (Zoë Wanamaker). These scenes were filmed on the Outer Bailey, between the main entrance and the castle itself.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:55:04
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:55:24
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:56:08
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
When Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) cannot control his broom he flies in all directions and finally crashes. Harry Potter turns out to be very talented at broomstick flying.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:56:25
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:56:53
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:58:59
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:59:01
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Professor Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith) sees from her castle window that Harry Potter has a great talent for flying. She goes outside to introduce him to Oliver Wood (Sean Biggerstaff) of Gryffindor's quidditch team. In a later scene, also filmed on the Outer Bailey, he explains how the game is being played.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 0:59:06
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1:03:59
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
The courtyard of the castle can be seen briefly when Harry Potter is joined by Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine Granger (Emma Watson). They leave the castle to visit Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), Hogwarts’ groundkeeper. On the far right is the entrance to the main building of the castle.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1:50:09
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Earlier in the movie the Lion Arch on the other side of Alnwick Castle was seen for a short moment. This entrance can be seen better when the three friends walk towards the house of Hagrid. Other buildings have also been used to represent Hogwarts and the screenshot of the castle shows that part of it was created on the computer.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1:25:03
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1:50:23
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1:50:34
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1:50:46
Alnwick Castle, 29 July 2011
This short video shows the castle and the Outer Bailey where the first flying lesson was shot.
While on their way for their second year at Hogwarts in HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, Harry and Ron miss the train because they cannot enter Platform 9 ¾.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 0:26:02
They decide to travel to school by means of the flying car, a Ford Anglia, owned by Rons father Arthur (Mark Williams). Their trip turns out to be dangerous - Harry nearly falls out of the car - and they are not to be seen by muggles. When they finally arrive at Hogwarts it is already late and to make things worse the Ford lands in the Whomping Willow. The aggressive tree removes the car from its branches and after Harry, Ron, their pets and their luggage have been thrown out it drives straight into the Forbidden Forest.
The scenes where the car arrives at Hogwarts were again filmed at Alnwick Castle, this time at night. The Inner Bailey (of which I forgot to take pictures...) and, just as in the first movie, the Lion Arch can been seen.
