Alnwick Information

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The Town of Alnwick, historically the County Town of Northumberland,is situated on the River Aln in the heart of Alnwick Districtand rural Northumberland. The town with its cobbled market place and main street is a warren of narrow alleyways and streets dating back to medieval times. The 15th century town gate, the "Hotspur Tower"a massive structure, dominates the main street.

The town has a history dating back to the building of the first castle next to the river Aln in the 11th century, when Northumberland and the Scottish Border was a vast almost ungovernable region.

The town centre has some lovely old, well preserved buildings containing a fine selection of shops and eating places. A particular place of note is Ye Olde Cross Inn or know locally as "the dirty bottles" which are said to be cursed, after a Victorian landlord dropped dead after placing the bottles in the window, they have remained on view in the windowuntouched ever-since. (Or so they say)

Alnwickis an excellent centre in which to base your holiday in the area,offering a good range of quality accommodation, and it's proximity to the heritage coast and the Cheviot Hills is advantageous. It has amultitude of eating places, pubs, hotels, restaurants and bistros, and if you fancy some light entertainmentit even has a cinema and theatre. Sports facilities are also well catered for with its brand newleisure centre, or if youprefer outdoorpursuits such as angling,river and sea fishing opportunities are there too.

The market place hosts a market twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays, and a farmers' market once a month.

On the edge of Alnwick is the magnificent Alnwick Castle "The Windsor Of The North" so said by the Victorians. The Castle is open to the public and is well worth a visit, for younger visitors (and young at heart), the fact that it was usedas Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter films may hold some sway.

Beyond the Castle is the fabulous Alnwick Garden, the inspiration of the Duchess of Northumberland, and first opened to the public in 2002. The Garden is undergoing some change and has added the Serpent garden, the Poison garden, and the Labyrinth for 2005, with more interesting developments to come.

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Alnwick Information

Highlights of Northumberland