There are numerous Stately Homes in the area including the fantastic Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland and often referred to as "The Windsor of the north". The medieval market town originally prospered as a staging post, being only a day's ride from Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north and Newcastle upon Tyne in the south. It still retains many of its cobbled streets, narrow alleys and fine stone buildings which now house a range of specialist shops and family businesses as wells as some of what once totaled over 50 inns.
Alnwick Castle, the home of the Duke of Northumberland, provides a wonderful day out for all the family. It has magnificent spacious grounds designed by Capability Brown, domineering medieval towers, a 14th century dungeon, beautiful State Rooms and there are various museums covering the region's military and archaeological history. Next to the Castle is the spectacular Alnwick Garden where you can experience The Grand Cascade with its many weirs and fountains, The Ornamental Garden with more than 15,000 plants, The Rose Garden of walkways heavily scented with climbing and shrub roses, clematis and honeysuckle, and there are many 'secret' gardens where you can sit amongst the pergolas, fruit trees and individual pools. Because it is a continually developing garden with major projects always underway, it provides something new for those that return time after time.
The Alnwick countryside is also a great area for walking, short and long hikes, cycling, fishing, and in fact every kind of country pursuit. South east lies the valleys and heather topped expanses of Coquetdale and the Simonside Hills around Rothbury - a haven for hillwalkers and cyclists and a gateway to the Northumberland National Park.
The coastline of the Alnwick region consists of over 20 spectacular miles of golden sands, rocky outcrops and sand dunes which provide fun days out for all the family and peaceful beach strolls along the sweeping sands of Druridge Bay and Cresswell. Coastal villages include the lively harbour town of Amble, beautiful Warkworth with its magnificent castle, and picturesque Alnmouth, home of the oldest golf course in Britain.