Alnwick Hotels - Smooth Hound Hotel Directory

Alnwick, located in Northumberland, offers plenty to see and do for the casual visitor. The most famous sight in the immediate area is Alnwick Castle. If you are looking for something interesting to do, be sure to take the poison garden tour. Of course, if you are a Harry Potter fan then a visit to Alnwick Castle will certainly be a thrill. Alnwick Gardens are also a popular sight to see. There are several fountains in which children are allowed to play, which can be fun for younger visitors. There is also a cafe that offers boxed lunches.

Alnwick is located towards the northern end of Northumberland and in 2002 Country Life magazine claimed that the town was the most picturesque market town in the county. The town is close to the Scottish border and within easy reach of the North Sea coast.

Alnwick has been a settlement since around 600 AD. It's proximity to Scotland means that it boasts a castle, which is now a historic listed building and hosts various exhibitions in its towers. The castle itself is still the home of the Earl of Northumberland and it can be seen from almost anywhere in the town. The castle is used for a variety of purposes, including education. It has also been featured in some of the Harry Potter movies.

At the centre of Alnwick is the market cross and the adjacent marketplace. Shoppers can explore the historic streets that radiate from the market area. During the summer, the Alnwick fair recreates the flavour of medieval times and you can witness many of the townsfolk in authentic medieval costumes. Other events in the town include a football match on Shrove Tuesday between two local parishes. The game is extremely stylised and starts with a procession, led by a piper, to fetch the ball from Alnwick Castle. The game is then played until the winning team, score two goals.

In ancient times, Alnwick was a walled town and you can explore some of the remains of the town walls, including the Hotspur Tower which is the last remaining medieval gate in the town. The other main tower is Pottergate, which was rebuilt in the eighteenth century.

Bookworms should head towards the old railway station, which is home to one of England's largest second hand book stores.