Tourist Attractions

Castles
Alnwick Castle (Hogwarts)
Bamburgh Castle
Dunstanburgh Castle

Photograph courtesy of Warner Brothers

Visit Alnwick Castle, or as it's known to adults and children alike, 'Hogwarts', the wizarding school as featured in J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' books. If you look hard enough you may just find a Nimbus 2000 or a Firebolt broomstick lying quietly in a corner where Harry left it.

alnwick castle

website

Opening Times:
Mar - Oct, 11am-5pm.

Located just outside of Alnwick with access permitted to much of the grounds, Alnwick Castle is home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. It has been the home of the Percy family since the early 1300s.

Barter Books

Possibly one of the finest second-hand book shops in the world. Located in the former Alnwick Railway station and spreading over a large area, model trains ply their way throughout the shop, the light clickety-clicking of the wheels on the rails gently evoking the building's former life.

Barter Books, the finest 2nd hand book shop

There's a tremendous range of books, with rare discoveries awaiting you in the many nooks and crannies.

Perhaps you'd like to peruse your purchases whilst settled in the comfortable chairs, drinking some fresh coffee and nibbling on a home-made cookie. In the winter, the open fire will warm your toes.

Barter Books,
Alnwick Station,
Alnwick,
Northumberland.
NE66 2NP.
Telephone 01665 604888.
Email bb@barterbooks.co.uk
website

Opening Hours
Apr-Sep: 9am-7pm every day.
Oct-Mar: 9am-5pm every day inc. Sunday, open til 7pm on Thursdays.

Bamburgh Castle

Dominating the north-eastern skyline, lying to the north-east of Rock and Rennington, Bamburgh Castle stands strikingly on a rock outcrop with waves splashing on the beach below the ramparts.

The castle is home to the Armstrong family; descended from the 1st Baron Armstrong, an industrialist and engineer who commenced the renovation of the castle in the 1890s.

Perhaps one of the finest castles in Britain. Opening times are;

16th March-31st October
Daily 11am-5pm
Admission
Adults £4.50, Senior Citizens £3.50, Children £1.50

website

Dunstanburgh Castle

Located on a crag above the sea, Dunstanburgh Castle presents a dramatic landscape. It's a fine, sometimes bracing, 1.5 mile walk from the car park at Craster. Also reachable from Embleton.

Thanks to English Heritage, the castle ruin stands prominently on the coastline with the gatehouse an imposing sight. During the War of the Roses (1455-1485), this Lancastrian bastion was damaged by cannon-fire and left a stunning ruin.

Alnwick Playhouse

Music, comedy, dance, exhibitions, films. Located in the centre of Alnwick, there's always something on.

Bondgate,
Bondgate Without,
Alnwick,
NE66 1PQ.
Telephone 01665 510785.
Email alnwickplayhouse@btinternet.com
website