Bamburgh Castle or Alnwick Castle?

The reviews you've read are pretty accurate. You could theoretically do both in a day, but of the two I favour Bamburgh. You might want to consider visiting Bamburgh and Lindisfarne (Holy Island), which is the last remnants of Viking civilisation in North East England and is located just off the coast of Bamburgh. It also has a castle of its own, which I think is incredible in its own right. Holy Island also gives you another view of Bamburgh Castle looking towards the shore.

If you do think Holy Island is a go, though, make sure to check the crossing times - it is connected to the mainland by a causeway, which floods and appears with the tide. Make sure your arrival and departure times are within the crossing times. They are not a guideline, they are strict times, and the causeway floods very quickly, so give yourself plenty of time to get off the island or you will be stranded.

To locals, Alnwick is probably less about the castle and more about its gardens, treehouse, and use as a Harry Potter filming location. If that's your thing, then by all means go down the route you suggest in your post. I personally would go for Bamburgh and Lindisfarne.

Bamburgh (more evocative; on the coast) over Alnwick, but neither will disappoint.

Thanks Akkejakke. Just a bit more info on our trip - we will be coming from Berwick-Upon-Tweed and visiting Bamburgh Castle opening at 10:00, then to Holy Island for a 2:15 pm crossing time July 15th. We were going to try and make the very early crossing time and be back off the island before 10:00, but found that would too rushed, limiting our time on the island. Since Bamburgh isn't that far from the island, we would visit Bamburgh first and then back track the short drive to the island. The reason for my initial post was to determine how much time we would need to do Bamburgh justice, but still leave a decent amount of time on Holy Island. Then onto Alnwick for the night and see the castle and gardens in the morning. Our destination on this day will be Durham, spending the night there and exploring the cathedral and city the next day.

Thanks for sharing your plan; I now understand better what you intend to do.

I have never been inside Bamburgh Castle myself, but others have told me that the interior is fairly average and is much better for the view of it rather than the view from it. I would go to Bamburgh Beach for pictures, which should take 30mins at most, and then go straight onto Holy Island, where there is a lot more to do. On July 15th you have until 10.30am to get to the island before the causeway floods, and a day exploring the island should take 6-8 hours at most, by which time the causeway will have reappeared. It also gives you time to get settled and have a relaxed evening in Alnwick. It also pleases me you've studied the crossing times and built your trip around it - you'll be surprised how many don't!

Your plans for the Alnwick and Durham segments of your trip seem fine to me - if you have any questions about the latter feel free to ask, as I know the place well.

If time allows in Alnwick, check out Barter Books in the former train station. There is a fascinating mural of English language authors and a pretty unique ambiance. This is the epicenter for the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters as well.

Thanks again Akkejakke - brilliant to get on the island prior to high tide. This will give us plenty of time to explore island and Lindisfarne, leave island and head to Bamburgh. I'm guessing late afternoon on the beach at Bamburgh will give us great light shining back on the castle (fingers crossed we are blessed with nice weather!).

Thanks Olivia about the Barter Books advice - we'll have to watch for that.