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Bondgate Tower

4.7
·14 reviews·, United Kingdom

A 15th-century medieval gatehouse in Alnwick, Northumberland, that you can drive through, serving as a historic town defense.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, easier drive-through

CrowdLow
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Bondgate Tower - Image 1

Bondgate Tower

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, easier drive-through

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A 15th-century medieval gatehouse in Alnwick, Northumberland, that you can drive through, serving as a historic town defense.

4.7
(14 reviews)

"A beautiful bit of legendary history to gaze upon as you enter Alnwick town."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Drive-Through Experience

Bondgate Tower is a gatehouse you can drive through, offering a unique perspective of this historic structure.

🏰 Part of Alnwick's History

This tower is a significant part of Alnwick's medieval defense wall, completed in 1480.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bondgate Tower (Hotspur Gateway)

Bondgate Tower (Hotspur Gateway)

Alnwick Town Centre

A 15th-century gatehouse, part of Alnwick's medieval defenses, that you can drive through.

Medieval Town Defenses

Medieval Town Defenses

Alnwick Town

Explore the impressive remains of Alnwick's old town wall and battlements, with Bondgate Tower as a centerpiece.

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Planning Your Visit

Historic Gateway to Alnwick

Bondgate Tower, also known as Hotspur Gateway, is a historic gatehouse dating back to the 15th century. It's a key part of Alnwick's old town defenses and offers a glimpse into medieval history. Plan your visit to coincide with exploring Alnwick town.

Driving Through History

Bondgate Tower is unique as it's a structure you can drive through, offering a convenient and memorable experience. Consider the best time to visit to avoid traffic and fully appreciate this historic landmark as you enter Alnwick.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, easier drive-through
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon
Why
Explore Alnwick town
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Visiting the real life Hogwarts Castle from the first 2 Harry Potter films ✨ Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is the Harry Potter filming location for Hogwarts in The Philosopher’s Stone & The Chamber of Secrets!! #thetravelist #harrypotter #harrypottertiktok #filminglocation #travel #uktravel #fyp #hptiktok #hogwarts
@thetravelist
94.2K likes • 2.4M views

🚗 Drive-Through Experience

Bondgate Tower is a gatehouse you can drive through, offering a unique perspective of this historic structure. Reddit

🏰 Part of Alnwick's History

This tower is a significant part of Alnwick's medieval defense wall, completed in 1480. Reddit

Alnwick Castle. The filming location for Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and Transformers. #harrypotter #bucketlist #hiddengems #travelinspiration #adventure
@trip.bites
27.5K likes • 371.1K views
Bondgate Tower, also known as the Hotspur Gateway, was built around 1450 in Alnwick, Northumberland. It takes its name from Sir Henry “Harry Hotspur” Percy, the son of the 1st Earl of Northumberland. Although often called a tower, it is in fact a gatehouse with three storeys of stone and polygonal flanking turrets. It is the only surviving gateway of Alnwick’s medieval walls, which were license...
oldworldhistoryy
213 likes • 14K views

📍 Central Alnwick Landmark

A beautiful and historic landmark as you enter Alnwick town centre. Reddit

Alnwick Castle Harry Potter Film Locations ⚡️ #harrypotter#alnwickcastle#hogwarts#gryffindor#hagrid#philosophersstone#chamberofsecrets#wizardingworld#fyp#quidditch#goodvibes#gryffindor
@wight_noize
17K likes • 318.5K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Drive-Through Experience

Bondgate Tower is a gatehouse you can drive through, offering a unique perspective of this historic structure. Reddit

🏰 Part of Alnwick's History

This tower is a significant part of Alnwick's medieval defense wall, completed in 1480. Reddit

📍 Central Alnwick Landmark

A beautiful and historic landmark as you enter Alnwick town centre. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(14 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find Bondgate Tower to be a beautiful and historic landmark, particularly appreciating its unique drive-through feature and its role as a gateway to Alnwick town. It's seen as an interesting piece of medieval history and a scenic point of interest.

"A very fine structure that you can drive through. Also known as Bondgate Tower. Alnwick has some impressive remains of the old town wall and battlements, dating back to 1450."

Roy Sirl

"Always a beautiful bit of legendary history to gaze upon as you enter Alnwick town 💯"

Scott Dixon

"Historic tower in centre of Alnwick. Bondgate tower. Part of the main defence wall of Alnwick town, built under licence from Edward IV and completed in 1480 by the 4th Earl of Northumberland, the grandson of hotspur, by whose name this tower is also known."

Nigel Sarsfield

What People Like

Unique drive-through experience
Historic town gateway
Impressive medieval structure

What People Dislike

Can be busy with traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Bondgate Tower is located in the center of Alnwick, Northumberland. It's a prominent landmark that you can drive through as you enter the town. Parking is available nearby for those wishing to explore on foot. Reddit

Yes, Bondgate Tower is a gatehouse that cars can drive through. This offers a unique way to experience the historic structure as part of your journey into Alnwick. Reddit

Approaching from the main roads into Alnwick will lead you directly to Bondgate Tower. It serves as a gateway to the town center. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Bondgate Tower is a historic structure that you can view and drive through without needing a ticket. It's part of the town's landscape. Reddit

As an outdoor historic structure and a gateway, Bondgate Tower is accessible at all times. However, consider daylight hours for the best viewing experience. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can drive through the historic gatehouse, admire its medieval architecture, and learn about its history as part of Alnwick's town defenses. It's a great photo opportunity. Reddit

Absolutely! Bondgate Tower is a picturesque historic landmark, perfect for capturing photos as you enter or leave Alnwick. Reddit

Bondgate Tower, also known as Hotspur Gateway, was built around 1450 as part of Alnwick's main defense wall. It's a surviving gateway from that era. InstagramReddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, Bondgate Tower is located in the center of Alnwick, which offers numerous cafes, pubs, and restaurants for dining options. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

🚗 Road Trippers & Day-Trippers

Bondgate Tower is an ideal stop for road trippers and day-trippers exploring Northumberland. Its central location in Alnwick and the unique drive-through experience make it a quick yet memorable point of interest. It's a perfect spot for a brief photo opportunity and a touch of history before continuing your journey or exploring Alnwick town. Reddit+1

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

For photography enthusiasts, Bondgate Tower offers a classic medieval gateway subject. Its imposing structure and historical context provide excellent opportunities for capturing striking images, especially when framed by the surrounding townscape. Consider visiting during the golden hours for dramatic lighting. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The History of Bondgate Tower

Bondgate Tower, also known as the Hotspur Gateway, stands as a testament to Alnwick's medieval past. Constructed around 1450, it was a crucial part of the town's defensive fortifications. This impressive stone gatehouse, featuring three stories and flanking turrets, was built under a license from Edward IV and completed by the 4th Earl of Northumberland, grandson of the famous Sir Henry 'Harry Hotspur' Percy, from whom it derives its alternative name. InstagramReddit

As the only surviving gateway of Alnwick's original town defenses, Bondgate Tower offers a tangible connection to the conflicts and strategic importance of the region during the Middle Ages. Its survival allows visitors to visualize the town's layout and defensive strategies from centuries ago. The fact that it's a structure one can drive through adds a unique, modern interaction with this ancient monument. Reddit

Experiencing Bondgate Tower

The most distinctive feature of Bondgate Tower is that it is a gatehouse designed to be driven through. This offers a unique perspective, allowing visitors to pass directly under its historic archway. It's a memorable part of entering or exiting the heart of Alnwick. Reddit

Beyond the drive-through experience, Bondgate Tower is a significant landmark for appreciating Alnwick's historical town walls and battlements. It serves as a beautiful visual anchor for the town's historic center, making it a popular spot for quick photos and a moment to reflect on the area's rich past. Reddit

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