Capturing the Magic of Northumberland
Northumberland has a lot to offer visitors. From the beautiful rolling countryside, gorgeous beaches, historic market towns and a castle around every corner. It is perfect for walkers, boasting some lovely scenery and a wealth of wildlife.
Alnwick is a delightful market town, famous for its castle and The Alnwick Garden, but also has numerous shops and a weekly market, plus many pubs, restaurants and takeaways. There is a busy theatre, leisure centre and squash club. Golfers can play at Alnwick or have a choice of both links and inland courses around the area where visitors are made very welcome.
Barely 10 minutes away is Northumberland's stunning coastline with beautiful sandy beaches and rock pools. Even the wonderful scenery of the Scottish Borders is within easy reach. There is just so much to see in this area, the only problem is having time to fit it all in. The famous Lindisfarne (Holy Island) is close by as are the other National Trust properties; Cragside and Wallington Hall.
Alnwick and Northumberland are a haven for wildlife. There are regular trips from Seahouses to the Farne Islands which are home to many different species of birds. Northumberland is very photogenic and a photographers dream.
Exploring Alnwick and Beyond
Pottergate, Alnwick
Alnwick
A little town with lots to offer! Alnwick is famous for its castle, which has been cast as Hogworts, The Alnwick Garden, beautiful surrounding countryside and a bustling town centre. There are many restaurants, with a variety of cuisines, pubs and independant shops. Situated just off the A1, Alnwick is the county town of Northumberland.
Bamburgh Castle
Castles
Northumberland is England's most northern county bordering with Scotland, a border contested over the centuries. The fortesses and castles still remain, more that in any other English county. From the splendor of Alnwick and Bamburgh castles to the atmospheric ruins of Dunstanburgh, they now provide, interesting places to visit, magnificent backdrops and photo opportunities.
Some you may recognise from film and television. Alnwick Castle has appeared in Harry Potter, Transformers: The Last Knight, Downton Abbey and many others.
Alnmouth beach
Coast
Alnwick is about a 10 minute drive from the coast. The Northumberland coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with beautiful sandy beaches, islands to visit and of course, the occasional castle. There are some lovely coastal villages and towns, some with galleries and excellent pubs, cafes and restaurants.
A red squirrel in Northumberland
Wildlife
A haven for wildlife. You may be lucky enough to spot a red squirrel, or a roe deer. Head out to the coast and you may catch sight of some seals or even some dolphins. How about a boat trip to see some puffins? Whether you have your camera or not, there's some amazing wildlife to see in Northumberland.