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Sign in with FacebookLatest Alnwick hotel reviews
Pro
History, architecture, landscape
Con
Probably not for you if you don't like history, Harry Potter, books or gardens
In a nutshell
An excellent centre for wonderful things to see around Northumberland
Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery
nettyfitz Says: This interesting museum gives the history of Alnwick and District in an interactive way.See and hear people from past and present. Special film and achive footage. Entry costs £2.50 for adults and £2.00 for concessions. Children free. Open 10.00 am to 5.00 pm in the summer...
leics Says: Also called Bondgate Tower, this is the major remaining chunk of the town's Medieval defences.Alnwick was never fully-walled, because the money ran out. But it did have this massive great gate, and a similar one at Pottergate (replaced in the 1700s).The Hotspur/Bondgate...
leics Says: 150 years ago the landlord was putting the bottles in this pub window when he collapsed and died.It was said that anyone moving them would suffer the same fate.So they have not been touched since. Apparently.Which makes photgraphing them rather difficult, because the window...
Go to a pub 2: The Tanners Arms
leics Says: A proper English pub, this one.......nothing fancy here.One room, a stone floor, small round pub tables with wrought iron legs and a bench running round the wall.A large TV and a slot machine and, judging by the amplifiers tucked away up the corner, a regular music venue of...
Go to a pub 1: The Golden Fleece
leics Says: The Golden Fleece is a good pub, with a range of proper beers, a real fire and a good selection of food (except on Tuesdays).It also hosts a monthly jam session for musicians playing traditional Northumbrian music (see videos) as well as various other musical events, quizzes...
Steph84 Says: Accommodated in the old Victorian railway station, Barter Books is one of the biggest second-hand bookshops in Britain. You can easily spend hours in here, just browsing or sitting in the reading room (once the waiting room) with a cup of tea next to the open fire (only in...
Steph84 Says: Hulne Park is part of the Duke of Northumberland's lands, and part of it is open to the public. Great for a good few hours' walk, sometimes without meeting a soul. It is all fairly easy terrain and there are three different routes to follow (all signposted), which take you...
Steph84 Says: In the middle of Hulne Park, on top of a great hill in the middle of a field lies Hulne Priory. This Carmelite priory was built in 1240 to house 24 friars. Later additions include the 15th-century bell tower and the 18th-century summerhouse and statues. It is surrounded by...
angiebabe Says: The Lonely Planet Guidebook says that if you like castles dont miss this one! This castle has probably got a lot of attention since becoming the location for the Harry Potter (not Harry Hotspur!) movies but is also acknowledged as being the second largest inhabited castle...
Extraordinary house, gardens & estate of Cragside
angiebabe Says: The revolutionary home of Lord Armstrong, Victorian inventor and landscape genius, was a wonder of its age. Built on a rocky crag high above the Debdon Burn, Cragside is crammed with ingenious gadgets and was the first house in the world lit by hydroelectricity.The variety...
Tower Restaurant & Accommodation
1 Review and 94 Opinions Right by the Bondgate, so 'Alnwick central'. Private parking at the rear (steepish drive to get into...
318 Opinions
Caffe Tirreno: Nice for a light meal
leics Says: Pleasant little place this, with a good choice of pizza, pasta etc.Good to find somewhere that offers something more than just the bog-standard Anglo-Italian fare.I enjoyed my roasted vegetable risotto very much, and my 2 glasses of house white wine. The espresso was good as...
Tower Restaurant: Really good food
leics Says: I stayed here, but I ate here as well.I'd have eaten here every night, but the full cooked breakfast meant I simply couldn't eat a big meal at night as well!The evening menu is not large (they serve a range of light meals, panini, soups, sandwiches, cream teas etc during the...
The Lunchbox: Very cheap food and plenty of it!
nettyfitz Says: The lunchbox is a cheap and cheerful cafe in the market square in Alnwick. You can eat in for £4.50 or take the food out for £3.00.There was a choice of about six main courses.There are also plenty of sandwich options, all at well under £2.00.We had tea and chocolate cake...
When going to Alnwick by train, hop off at Alnmouth station and then take the bus into Alnwick. The bus stop is just up the road somewhat to the left; the 518 runs once every hour or so and takes about 10 minutes. When travelling from Newcastle, you can also take the bus, routes 501 or 505 (best NOT to take the 518, as it takes absolutely ages), which is a cheap alternative to the train and takes somewhat more than an hour to get to Alnwick. For fares and timetables, check the Arriva bus website.
Written Jul 8, 2008
Website: www.arrivabus.co.uk
Helpfulness
This secondhand bookshop is based in what used to be Alnwick station. It is one of the largest secondhand bookshops in the UK.
The railway theme is maintained by the model trains which run along the top of some of the bookshelves.
Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available.
A great place to spend some time browsing.
Written Aug 2, 2006
Address: Alnwick Station, Northumberland NE66 2NP
Phone: +44 (0)1665 604888
Website: www.barterbooks.co.uk
leics Says: This pretty little cottage sits opposite the Tenantry column on the main road into Alnwick from the A1.One legend says it was built in two weeks, as part of a bet (a wager) between the Duchess of Northumberland and the 2nd Duke.But that may well not be true.Nice little place...
leics Says: Entirely amazing this, and a real sign of how the ruling classes were once perceived by those 'below' them.The Tenantry Column was raised in 1816. It was paid for by the tenants of the 2nd Duke of Northumberland, who had kindly reduced their rents during the recession which...
leics Says: ...because some are still to be seen.Look up, because often the higher storeys of a building are the least changed. The windows in the photo are clearly much, much older than their wooden sashes would indicate......probably 16th or 17th century.The two shops in the main...
leics Says: This building caught my eye as I wandered round the backstreets of Alnwick.I was first intrigued by its rather modern 'leaning' doorway, and then noticed the plaque on the wall.It was built as the Mechanics Institute in 1831..........for 'diffusing knowledge among...
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: It was a gorgeous, sunny September day when we visited Alnick Castle and gardens. Some might say that we were lucky. Yes, we were. But not because of the fine weather, but because the location is such a gem to visit.
Home of the Dukes of Northumberland since 1309 (as well as home to the current Duke and Duchess and their family), Alnwick Castle (pronounced 'ah-NICK') is an imposing (some describe it as 'forboding') and impressive as you approach it, and is one of the finest medieval castles in England. Located above the city of Alnwick, the castle provided important border defence for centures (it is believed that the Romans also had a settlement here) and now provides the visitor with an idlyllic, romantic venue full of historical and visual interest.
Several rooms are on view inside the castle, featuring fabulous works of art, fine period design and other displays that tell stories about the interests of the Dukes of Northumberland through the ages. The stone towers in the inner and outer bailey are home to fascinating and informative museums. When we visited, a live display of falconry and other birds (such as owls, which we found out from the trainer and particularly dim!). There are always activities for children and families (the castle served as the location of the quidditch match in the first Harry Potter film), making it a truly special place to visit for people of all ages. Check the website for current special events.
A short walk from the castle is the Alnwick Gardens. Jane Percy, the current duchess, began renovating the derelict gardens in 1997. In my opinion, the woman is a genius. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, with fabulous fountains, stunning architecture and, of course, a variety of plants of all kinds. The magnificent rose garden and the poison garden are of particular interest, as is the fascinating cascading fountain. Activities for children ('Know and Grow') and the opportunity to purchase many of the plants on display (sadly, those of us in N. America can only dream of doing this...) are just two of countless reasons to visit this magical place.
Both sites feature a good selection of places to eat and cottages are available to rent at the castle.
Please check the website for opening times and prices during your planned visit.
There is much more to say about Alnwick Castle and Gardens than can possibly fit here. It's a magical adventure that should not be missed!
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick, Northumberland
NE66 1NQ England
Tel: 01665 510777
24 Hour Information: 01665 511100
Alnwick is approximately 45 mintues from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne; off the A1. Castle and Gardens are 309 miles north of London. Trains from London leave from King's Cross.
Fondest memory: There are so many to choose from...however, I'll have to choose the fun and educational hawking demonstration that also included other birds of prey, including owls. It was partially interactive, which meant we could approach and touch some of the birds (mostly the owls).
Updated Mar 19, 2010
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The best place to live.....officially.
Alnwick (pronounced 'annick') was pronounced 'the best place to live in England' in 2002. Its property prices still reflect that accolade. But it is a really pleasant little market town, with a...
The castle and gardens are the big attraction in Alnwick, but don't forget to check out the wonderful bookshop (complete with toy trains) and visit the church. The teashops are good too.
Alnwick - Garden, castle and lovely shops
Alnwick was always a lovely place to visit and since the opening of the wonderful Alnwick Garden, it has even more to offer the visitor. Visit the website - www.visitalnwick.org.uk
While staying in the NE of England for a week I did a day-trip to Alnwick in Northumberland. The idea was initially to see the new garden attraction there, but the weather was good, so a visit to the...
I timed my visit to this interesting town with its market square and cobbled streets during its annual Alnwick Fair which dates back to medieval times and in which the locals are costumed for the...
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