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Alnwick the County Town of Northumberland is the administrative centre for the Alnwick District. The District, in the heart of Northumberland famous for its unspoilt beauty, is one of the most picturesque areas of countryside in the whole of England, with long sandy beaches, quiet friendly villages, the majestic Simonside and Cheviot Hills, well preserved medieval castles - and gardens, including Alnwick Garden and Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum.
There are numerous Stately Homes in the area, including the fantastic Alnwick Castle, Cragside House at Rothbury (NT) and Wallington Hall (NT), 15 minutes south of Rothbury. Touch history with a visit to Lindisfarne (Holy Island), cradle of christianity in the north of England and home to the "Lindisfarne Gospels", with a facsimile copy available for you to see at the Priory on the Island.
Visit impressive and atmospheric castles, such as Alnwick, Warkworth, Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh, Norham, the Stately homes at Paxton House, Manderston, Mellerstain, and Floors Castle just a short drive away on the border with Scotland, and not forgetting Barter Books, the biggest antiquarian Bookstore in the UK, situated in the old railway station near the centre of Alnwick.
Alnwick is within easy reach of Berwick upon Tweed (30 minutes) Newcastle upon Tyne (35 minutes) Hexham and Hadrians Wall (45 - 55 minutes) and, via the A697, Coldstream and Kelso (within one hour).
Rothbury and Coquetdale in the south west of Alnwick District, only 20 minutes drive from Alnwick, is home to Lord Armstrong's Cragside House; it is a very popular centre for hill walkers (with well marked footpaths) and is a gateway town to the Northumberland National Park. Much of Coquetdale is within the National Park and is a wonderful example of unspoilt hill and dale country with open access land, moorland, forests and sparkling river and streams.
Whether your holiday is intended to be an energetic hill walking holiday, or quietly strolling along golden beaches and visiting Stately Homes and Gardens, the Alnwick District seems to have it all.
www.visitalnwick.org.uk is another useful website for Alnwick area.
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