Alnwick Castle Alnwick Garden Barter Books Alnwick Golf Northumberland National Park
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Including a series of small art galleries, one of the largest second hand bookshops in Britain in Barter Books, the world famous Alnwick Garden with it's unique water features, the Poison Garden and Europe's largest Tree House - which also happens to be a fantastic restaurant!
Day trips within easy traveling distance worthy of a mention include a visit to the National Trust property of Cragside House and gardens. The first house in the world to be lit by hydro electricity, this magnificent estate was created from nothing by the great Victorian industrialist, Lord Armstrong.
A trip to the Northumbrian seaside offers the chance to explore quaint traditional fishing villages such as Craster and Alnmouth as well as the opportunity to take a boat trip out to the National Nature Reserve of the Farne Islands which has one of the largest breeding colonies of Grey Seals in the country. If you are lucky, you may also spot dolphins, minke and even killer whales which occasionally visit these waters!
For those of a sporting disposition, Northumberland has a huge range of activities to offer.
For the golfer, there are challenging courses in Alnwick itself, nearby Alnmouth, Seahouses and Bamburgh provide a challenge with a fantastic sea view and those of Rothbury, Wooler and Burgham are inland courses with unique outlooks.
The keen anglers can test themselves on a range of rivers including game fishing on the nearby River Aln, the River Wansbeck and the famous River Coquet. All of which offer day tickets for the visitor. There are also plenty of still water ponds and lakes not forgetting the fantastic coastline offering a multitude of opportunities for the sea angler including boat charters.
Walkers and cyclists have mile upon mile of quiet and well signed paths and tracks to explore and challenge. The main Route 68 Sustrans Cycle path runs up the coast and offers safe cycling for all the family with unforgettable views.
If you want to relax and enjoy some great food and relaxation (well, you are on holiday after all!), then Alnwick provides a great base to sample the best the region has to offer.
There are good restaurants in the town including The Tree House in Alnwick Garden, The Sanctuary and Blackmore's, the latter is the establishment of chef John Blackmore who has provided fine dining for dignitaries such as Sir Bobby Robson & the Queen!
We hope this lightening tour of just a sample of the things to do around the area has whetted your appetite - and we very much hope to be able to introduce you to many more when you visit.
As usual, if you have any questions at all regarding specific activities and things to do in the area, please do not hesitate to get in touch.