Sights to see in and around Alnwick.
Alnwick
Alnwick Castle
The medieval fortress and palace that is Alnwick castle is impressive from any direction. You can spend a couple of hours just walking the narrow streets and riverside footpath that surrounds it before stepping through its gates. The castle is 1,000 years old and has been home to the Percy family for over 700 of them. Its staterooms, walls and courtyards are all spectacular. The the indoor and outdoor cafés are pretty good too.
Web: www.alnwickcastle.com | Tel:01665 511199.
The Alnwick Garden
Since opening in 2001, the pleasure grounds of the Alnwick Garden continue to develop with new highlights and events added year on year. Centred around the huge Grand Cascade, there are paths leading to the Rose garden, the water feature sculptures of the Serpent Garden, a bamboo maze, the Cherry Orchard, the toxic delights of the Poison Garden and the walled Ornamental Garden. You can also just enjoy the view over a coffee or lunch at The Pavillion. Guided tours of the gardens and the pump room are also available.
Web: www.alnwickgarden.com | Tel: 01665 511350.
Hulne Park
The gatehouse of Hulne Park is just a few minutes walk from the centre of Alnwick and is the a range of circular walks from 4 to 6.5 miles.
Web: Hulne Park Walking trails.
Barter Books
In Alnwick’s Old Station
Saying this is just one of the largest second-hand bookshops in the country is hardly doing it justice; set in a magnificent former victorian railways station, it’s a great place to browse, relax, enjoy a home-made brunch from the Station Buffet or an ice-cream from Paradise, its own ice-cream parlour.
Web: www.barterbooks.co.uk | Tel: 01665 604888
Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery
14 Bailiffgate
Three floors of exhibitions in Alnwick’s Castle Quarter telling the story of the town and those who’ve lived here from its beginnings to the present day.
Web: www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk | Tel: 01665 605847
Nearby villages
Alnmouth
Alnmouth is famed for its colourful cottages on the Aln Estuary and a great sandy beach for walks north along the coast towards Boulmer or Howick.
5 miles from Alnwick
Amble
Amble village
9 miles from Alnwick
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick
30 miles from Alnwick
Ford & Etal
Ford & Etal Estates
Two picturesque villages each with their own castle – the Flodden Field battlefield site is nearby too.
29 miles from Alnwick
Rothbury
Rothbury village
12 miles from Alnwick
Warkworth
An improbably attractive medieval village nestled in a loop of the Coquet River with with its high street bounded and one end by the well preserved ruin of Warkworth Castle and the other by the Church of St Lawrence. There’s a lovely river walk, a friendly tea shop and beautiful art for sale at the Fenwick Gallery.
7 miles from Alnwick
Castles, Country Houses & Gardens
Bamburgh Castle
Rothbury village
7 miles from Alnwick
Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
Rothbury village
7 miles from Alnwick
Chillingham Castle
Chillingham
7 miles from Alnwick
Cragside
Rothbury village
7 miles from Alnwick
Dunstanburgh Castle
Rothbury village
7 miles from Alnwick
Howick Hall Gardens
Howick
Howick Hall hosts one of Northumberland’s most beautiful and, at 65 acres, extensive gardens with trails in the Woodland Garden and grass paths with wildflowers and flowering shrubs throughout the season. Although the manor house itself isn’t open to the public, it does have a magnificent tea room in its old ballroom- this was the home of Earl Grey – serving tea and some pretty good cakes.
6 miles from Alnwick
Website: howickhallgardens.com.
Lindisfarne Castle
Rothbury village
7 miles from Alnwick
Wallington
Rothbury village
7 miles from Alnwick
Warkworth Castle
Rothbury village
7 miles from Alnwick
