Many visitors come to Alnwick to see the increasingly popular Alnwick Garden and Castle (featured in several films, including Harry Potter), but Alnwick is also an excellent base from which to explore the unspoilt, beautiful and varied countryside of north Northumberland.

Below, you will find information and links to just some of the attractions and activities that are available in this area of north Northumberland.

IN ALNWICK
Because Alnwick is a small, market town, and we are only 5 minutes walk from the historic market place, you can leave your car in our car park and see all the attractions on foot.

As well as the Alnwick Garden (just behind our house) and the Castle, there is the Bailiffgate museum, Barter Books – an enormous second-hand book shop, housed in the old railway station, and Hulne Park which contains the ruins of Hulne Priory built in 1240. 

Alnwick is a delightful town to explore, with alleyways such as Pickwick Lane and Correction House Lane, and we have information available on walks both in and around Alnwick.

AROUND NORTHUMBERLAND
Alnwick, with shops and a range of restaurants and pubs, is an ideal base from which to tour the sights and scenery of Northumberland. Below are just some of the places that can be visited……

Castles
Northumberland has probably more castles than any other county, some in ruins and some still lived in, many in dramatic locations…. Warkworth, Dunstanburgh, Chillingham, Bamburgh, Lindisfarne, not to mention Alnwick castle.

Gardens
Apart from the Alnwick garden, there are gardens at Cragside, Wallington Hall, Hexham Herbs near Chesters Roman fort, Howick Hall and at Chillingham castle.

Houses
Why not combine a visit to gardens with a visit to some grand houses? There is Wallington Hall, Cragside, Paxton House and Belsay within driving distance.

Beaches
The Northumberland coast has beautiful, unspoilt beaches which stretch for miles with white/golden sand.  Whether you enjoy walking, building sandcastles or bird watching, there are activities for everyone.

Walking
Whether you are a committed walker or enjoy a gentler stroll, there are walks to suit all levels, both on the coast and in the magnificent Cheviot hills and moors. In the Cheviot hills, there are remains of Iron Age forts which can be visited, or you can walk through secluded valleys. For a variety of walks, written by a working shepherd, look at www.shepherdswalks.co.uk.

The Northumberland coastal path was opened in 2006 and stretches from Cresswell (at the southern end of Druridge Bay) to Berwick on Tweed – a distance of almost 60 miles. Or you could try all or part of St. Oswald’s way which stretches for 97 miles from Lindisfarne priory in the north, follows the coast as far as Warkworth and then cuts across country to Hadrian’s Wall in the south. For more information on these walks, try www.northseatrails.org or go to the Shepherd’s Walks website

Lindisfarne
Visit Holy Island to see the Priory and the Castle, enjoy the wildlife around the island, but do take note of the tide times for safe crossing!

Farne Islands
Take a boat trip from Seahouses or Amble to visit the Farne Islands and watch the many varieties of sea birds and seals that live and nest there.

Edinburgh/York/Newcastle
Take the train and spend a day out in a city. Newcastle is only 30 minutes, Edinburgh 1 hour and York 1 and a half hours by intercity train from Alnmouth station.