By Alaric 
If you’re a Potterhead planning to visit Alnwick Castle then an ideal place to stay would be Crux.
It’s a Harry Potter Hotel in Alnwick conveniently located around the corner from the entrance gate.
All of their rooms have been inspired by the Wizarding World and their magical chambers allow you to sleep like a wizard.
It’s the perfect base to visit Harry Potter filming locations in Northumberland.
Here is my honest review of Crux and whether it’s worth the money.
I was not sponsored or paid for this review in any way, I spent my own money and will provide an honest opinion.
The Alnwick Harry Potter Connection
Potterheads will love visiting Alnwick in Northumberland as two Harry Potter movies were filmed at Alnwick Castle.
The first was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and the second was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).
Alnwick Castle was used for the interior and exterior of Hogwarts.
This is where Harry and his friends fly their broomsticks, learn quidditch, and secretly escape to Hagrid’s Hut.
Despite the movies being filmed decades ago now, the castle still attracts many fans each year who want to visit Harry Potter filming locations.
I’ve been three times now and it keeps getting better and better!
On my last visit, I was looking for a spellbinding place to stay in Alnwick to extend the magic.
I thought an ideal option was Crux as it was a wizard-themed hotel right around the corner from the entrance.
Introducing Crux Harry Potter Hotel
Crux, previously known as Hallow and Crux, is a Harry Potter Hotel.
They have four magically themed rooms where you can sleep like a witch or wizard.
You can choose from double rooms like The Dark Quarters and The Adventurers. Or, family rooms like The Meeting Room and The Dorm.
Whatever spellbinding chamber you choose, you will feel like you’ve been transported straight to the Wizarding World.
The rooms are situated above a 400-year-old pub called Dirty Bottles which has its very own spooky legend.
The Dirty Bottles
Dirty Bottles is an inn with a dark history and has been situated on Narrowgate since the 1600s.
It was originally called the Ye Olde Cross Pub until around 1725 when a harrowing event took place.
The legend goes that the landlord was moving some bottles in the window.
He had a heart attack and dropped down dead. His wife then proclaimed that the bottles in the windows carried a curse.
She said that anyone who moves those bottles would suffer the same fate.
That’s why the bottles are still trapped in the window gathering dust and the pub is called Dirty Bottles today!
According to the plaque, eerie happenings continue within. So, you have been warned.
Harry Potter Rooms
You enter the pub to check in to your room as the reception is in the bar area. It’s not ideal, especially if it’s busy as the staff manage both.
Once you’re all checked in, a member of staff will assist you to your magical room upstairs.
As the buildings are ancient, there are no lifts and a few flights of stairs to climb.
Keep this in mind before you book your stay if you require accessibility.
The journey to your room takes place in a dark corridor. There are bird cages, gargoyles and flickering lanterns lighting the way.
Gaps in the exposed walls then revealed the rooms as if by magic akin to entering Diagon Alley.
It certainly made me excited for what was going to be in store.
The Dark Quarters
As a proud member of Slytherin House, I booked the Dark Quarters which looked like a room from 12 Grimmauld Place.
The chamber had a dark green theme with exposed beams, bricks and dark wood furniture. It was also beautifully lit by medieval chandeliers.
The king-size bed was spacious and had sumptuous covers and cushions. I loved that behind the headboard was House of Black Family Tree wallpaper.
The room had a range of Hogwarts-esque portraits on the wall and a fireplace with a cauldron that gave it a cosy feel.
There was a closet to store belongings that resembled the Boggart wardrobe from the Dark Arts lesson with Professor Remus Lupin.
I also thought the bedside tables looked like Hogwarts storage trunks.
You can find a dresser in the corner with a crystal ball, kettle, drink sachets and complimentary biscuits.
The bathroom looked like something from the Ministry of Magic with its monochrome tiles and vintage showerhead over the bathtub.
You are given towels and robes as part of your stay along with a few Elemis toiletries.
It was a beautiful room and I was utterly in love as a Harry Potter fan.
I was so excited to sleep here knowing I’d be visiting Alnick Castle aka Hogwarts the next day!
Crux Restaurant & Bar
A convenient part of the Harry Potter rooms being above Dirty Bottles is that you have a restaurant and bar onsite.
Their menu serves up typical pub fare. Just make sure to book your table in advance as there are no exceptions made for guests without bookings.
I would have loved to try their food but I couldn’t sit down despite there being lots of tables free and a few hours before the kitchen closed.
I was only one person, so I didn’t think it would be an issue. I offered to sit in the empty bar. No. I asked if there was room service. Again, no.
I would have made a table booking had I known they would be that strict.
I was sent no reminders before my stay or links to reserve a table. If they were that busy, you’d assume they would warn you as a guest.
It was evening, cold and a storm was raging outside. I had to find somewhere last minute to eat in a remote town which was less than ideal.
The worst part is the staff were very dismissive and uncaring and so this spoiled part of the magical experience.
Breakfast
Another thing that is quite restrictive about staying at Crux is the breakfast situation.
Breakfast is included in your room rate but it’s only served between 9 am and 10 am which isn’t ideal if you need to set off early.
This wasn’t an issue for me during my stay as my only plans were to visit Alnwick Castle.
However, they don’t open the bar/reception before this time. The doors were locked so there was no option to speak to anyone before 9 am.
If you want a full Northumbrian breakfast, you must fill out a form in your room and hand it to the staff before they close the night before.
Don’t forget or you may not receive one. A couple who sat by me in the morning didn’t fill theirs in and it caused quite a fluster.
While you wait for your cooked breakfast, Dirty Bottles has a continental spread of fruits, cereal, toast and juice. Plus, fresh coffee or tea.
It took a while but when the Full Northumbrian Breakfast arrived it was fresh and piping hot. There was also a side dish of toast and butter.
Despite the name, it’s the same as a Full English and comes with bacon, sausage, egg, hash browns, mushrooms, baked beans etc.
It was delicious and set me up for a full day of visiting Harry Potter filming locations in Alnwick Castle.
How much does it cost to stay at Crux?
The rooms are incredible but all of this magic does come at a cost.
Prices start from £190 a night which is what I paid for The Dark Quarters at the end of September on a weekday.
If you were to book a room on a weekend, during half term or summer holidays, prices can start at around £225 – £250 per night.
Considering it’s a 3* hotel, I thought this was quite a high price for what you get.
However, you are paying for the Harry Potter theming and its proximity to Alnwick Castle.
It’s the perfect stay for Potterheads with magical memories you won’t forget.
You will feel like you’re spending the night in the Wizarding World which is priceless.
What I loved about Crux
- The rooms were magical and incredibly creative. It felt like you had stepped inside a Harry Potter movie set.
- The beds were incredibly comfy and the pillows were so soft.
- You had to order your breakfast the night before but when it arrived it was well cooked, fresh and served piping hot.
- The proximity to Alnwick Castle is ideal. It’s located just around the corner so it’s perfect for Harry Potter fans.
- The staff can provide you with a Friends of Alnwick Garden card that gives you free entry. You just give them a £10 cash deposit which is returned to you when you return the card.
What I didn’t like about Crux
- My room was next to a road and the windows did not have soundproofing so I could hear everything outside.
- The walls are also paper thin. You can hear everything in the room next door. I could hear a movie marathon until the late hours and I was woken up at 6 am by shouting. Bring earplugs.
- The staff were welcoming at first but when I had issues during my stay they were dismissive and uncaring.
- No reminders were sent about booking a table for dinner and no exceptions were made for guests despite plenty of free tables.
- Breakfast is only served from 9 am – 10 am. This is quite restrictive if you need to set off early.
Is staying at Crux worth the money?
Yes and no. On the one hand, I loved my stay in The Dark Quarters. The room was enchanting and it felt like a sleepover at Hogwarts.
But, beyond the room, the charm ended for me as the facilities and service were below standard. It felt like a bit of a cash grab for fans.
I don’t think I would go back as there were too many things I didn’t like for the amount of money spent.
Book this hotel if you love Harry Potter and you plan on visiting Alnwick Castle. But, don’t expect friendly service or value for money.
How to get to Crux in Alnwick
Crux is located in the market town of Alnwick in Northumberland in the North East of England.
This is around an hour’s drive from Newcastle upon Tyne on the A1.
It’s also only a two-hour drive from Edinburgh in Scotland which makes it a great day trip for Potterheads.
If you’re not driving, the nearest train station is Alnmouth and then you can take a bus to Alnwick.
Crux is just a stone’s throw away from the Alnwick Castle and you can find Dirty Bottles on Narrowgate.
This is near (the very aptly named) Pottergate and the Harry Hotspur Statue.
Parking options
There is no dedicated parking for Crux or Dirty Bottles. However, there is a free long-stay car park near Pottergate.
There is street parking you can use to unload luggage opposite the pub. You can park there for a 2-hour limit.
You can also park in these spaces without limits before 8 am and after 6 pm.
Alnwick Street parking has a parking disc system where you display the disc in your car to avoid a fine.
If you plan on using street parking, make sure to ask Crux or the local post office for a parking disc.
More things to do in Alnwick
Alnwick is a historic market town in Northumberland and has lots to do on a day out.
I would always recommend planning a visit to Alnwick Castle which is the ancient seat of the Dukes of Northumberland and has been for centuries.
Big movies and TV series like Downton Abbey and Harry Potter were filmed there. You can even take part in some broomstick lessons as well.
The Alnwick Garden is just nearby which is a delight to visit all year.
Don’t miss out on a tour of their Poison Garden or visit during their Cherry Blossom Festival.
You can also have lunch in the amazing Alnwick Treehouse restaurant that feels like you’re visiting the Weasley’s Burrow.
They’ve also recently opened Lilidorei which is the largest playground in the world and perfect for little ones.
In the town, I also recommend visiting Barter Books, a gorgeous bookstore that will transport you straight to Hogwarts Library.
There are also walks around Hulne Park including Hulne Priory and the Brizlee Tower.
Just outside of Alnwick, you can visit the beach towns of Amble and Alnmouth on the coast.
Or, discover even more history with Howick Hall & Gardens, Craster, Warkworth Castle and the amazing Dunstanburgh Castle.
Northumberland is easily one of my favourite places and England’s best-kept secret.
You can head further north to discover gems like Bamburgh, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and Seahouses for cruises to the Farne Islands.
Are you looking for more Harry Potter locations in the UK?
Magical York Harry Potter locations
London Harry Potter filming locations
Harry Potter filming locations at Durham Cathedral
How to visit Malfoy Manor in real life!
Malham Cove Deathly Hallows filming location
Harry Potter filming locations in Oxford
How to spend the night in Hagrid’s Hut
Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh
Scotland Harry Potter filming locations
How to visit Dobby’s Grave in Wales
How to visit the real Godric’s Hollow in Lavenham
Harry Potter locations in Lacock Village
Harry Potter filming locations at Gloucester Cathedral
A Muggles Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
How to see the Hogwarts Express in the UK
How to find the Harry Potter Tree at Blenheim Palace
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