The summer solstice is a formative day in the calendar year, heralding the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Whether you celebrated with wreaths and feasts or simply savoured the longest day of 2025, the milestone kicked off the summer which evokes sunshine-soaked days and balmy nights.

In the spirit of our Time for Life features - aimed at motiving and inspiring our readers to make time to live their best lives, our Correspondent, Sharon Cain, shares new adventures which await in our hottest and brightest season.

Flying High at Alnwick Castle

If you’re seeking excitement, adventure and belly laughs galore, check out the raft of summer activities at the sumptuous and stately Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.

Set in nine magnificent acres - and a true icon of medieval architecture founded in 1096 after the Norman Conquest - its historic heritage spans almost a thousand years.

The castle’s versatility, adaptability and sustainability have withstood the test of time with a legacy like no other. Acting as a fortress, a refuge for evacuees, a teaching college, it is home to current owner, the 12th Duke of Northumberland who resides there with his wife, the Duchess, for three months every year.

As a backdrop for stars of film, stage and TV, the castle has been graced by legends including Sir Anthony Hopkins when part of the sci-fi Transformers movie series was shot there.

Alnwick Castle also took centre stage as ‘Brancaster Castle’ in the Downton Abbey 2014 and 2015 Christmas specials where Maggie Smith and the star-studded cast further enhanced the lavish interiors.

Wizardry Galore

Professor Kathryn Burnett teaches ‘cornering and maneuvering’

Magical in every sense, Alnwick Castle was also transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

It will come as no surprise to hear that regular broomstick training lessons in the very spot of Harry Potter’s first flying lesson in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone are among the many highlights of a visit.

An absolute hoot, the training is led by ‘Professors’ Kathryn Burnett and Rachel Grundy. With their quick-fire jokes and larger than life personalities, they sweep participants off their feet, teaching them basic skills such as cornering, accelerating, and braking.

Pupils get a handle on the training

I love the fact that you never know where our pupils are going to fly in from. Our visitors are worldwide, from Australia, the US, Canada, as well as Europe and the UK. This is such a fun job and there’s never a dull moment!

Hunt for Dragons – If you Dare!

Sated by sorcery, we next ventured into the aptly named Dragon Quest – a dastardly dungeon where a ghostly Knight in shining armour dared us to “‘Keep your eyes wide open and try not to scream” because “Dragons are crafty, and dragons are mean!”

More terrified than the children in the dungeon when crossing the fiery bridge that creaked menacingly, I lost the screaming bet in seconds as a terrifying dragon emerged from the abyss of the darkest whirlpool and stared menacingly before submerging itself into the blackness.

This electrifying experience, which opened after Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was partly filmed at the castle in 2023, is not to be missed.

Afterwards a much-needed caffeine-fuelled coffee and home-made scone in the castle’s Courtyard Café was devoured before embarking on the next activity.

Medieval Life and Times

A tamer, but equally enjoyable experience in the Artisans Courtyard, entailed learning about the various medicinal and cleansing uses of herbs in Medieval times. Selecting rose petals and lavender; I had great fun making soap to take home.

Soap making is among a series of Medieval Craft demonstrations which also include designing a Medieval tile and creating a Medieval wand. Visitors can also learn about medicine, armoury, and medieval writing. A wardrobe of vibrant costumes also affords the opportunity to dress up, capture the mood of the time and play traditional games.

If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, the castle hosts a dynamic series of events throughout July and August which include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Medieval longbow and falconry demonstrations, Jester shows and the Newcastle Garrison & 68th Durham Light Infantry

The best possible ‘edutainment’ experience fusing education and entertainment, this was a perfect summer day immersed in history, horror and Hogwarts.

What magical summer memories will have lit up your life before the Autumn equinox on September 22 when the days become shorter and the nights drawn in?

You can find on more about Alnwick Castle’s events here.