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Berth holder’s recommended places to stay
Places to eat and drink
The Treehouse at The Alnwick Garden is a magical venue. Open daily for lunch from 12noon till 2.30pm (4pm on Sundays only) and on Wednesday - Saturday for dinner from 6pm – 8.30pm. The focus is on high quality, locally sourced produce and the food and service is excellent. Booking is advised, call 01665 511852.
Opened in late 2017, The Cookie Jar is a real gem - up market, sophisticated and with a focus on the very best service. Open for coffee, “small-plate” snacks and fabulous afternoon tea, daily from 11:00am – 4pm during the week and 11.30am – 4pm on the weekend. The Bistro is also open every Friday and Saturday from 7pm. Booking is essential, call 01665 510465.
Tucked away at the back of the brilliant Barter Books is one of Alnwick’s best cafes. With a lovely menu and seating to be found in one of the five rooms running most of the length of the building there is plenty of room in this quirky eatery. Find your seat first – you need to give your table number when you order at the counter. Berth-holders recommend the macaroni-cheese with crisp bacon bits and thrice cooked chips followed by the chocolate and cranberry tiffin!
Activities and Events
Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the country and is home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. The castle combines magnificent medieval architecture with lavish Italian Renaissance style interiors. There are plenty of activities to enjoy – from the Dragon Quest to Broomstick Training - and a regular programme of special events. Open from the end of March – October.
The Alnwick Garden is the creation of the Duchess of Northumberland. This world renowned attraction is a fantastic day out for all of the family. With the Bamboo Labyrinth, Poison Garden, Treehouse, Serpents Garden, Cherry Orchard and Grand Cascade to explore there is plenty to surprise and delight. The Garden also runs a regular programme of events throughout the year.
One of the largest second hand bookshops in Britain, Barter Books is not to be missed. A real book lovers paradise housed in the former Alnwick railway station. The Victorian building has been lovingly restored and you will find plenty of comfortable seats as well as roaring fires on cold days. Dogs are welcomed too, with bowls of fresh water available, and they are allowed in the Old Waiting Room if you have time to sample the delicious food from the Station Buffet. A wonderful place to while away the hours.
Places to eat and drink
Masons Arms is a warm and welcoming pub in the centre of the village. The menu provides the traditional options you would hope to find on a good pub menu – all done really well and locally sourced where possible. In addition outside in the fabulous beer garden is the ‘Pizza Shack’ offering a wide range of freshly made pizzas and more. Call 01665 711398.
We recommend everyone pop in to Bertram’s if you can. This wonderful café is open from 9am – 6pm and you are guaranteed a warm welcome and fabulous food. Run by mother and daughter team Lynda and Samantha the focus is on serving the very best local produce. A high quality menu and daily specials board ensures there is plenty to tempt you – though you may find it particularly hard to choose only one piece of cake! Bertram’s do not take bookings.
Just a little bit outside Warkworth – but well worth the trip – is one of Northumberland’s best ice-cream parlours. Morwick produces farmhouse style ice-cream and fruit ices in over 160 flavours. Morwick uses fresh full cream milk from their own herd and the parlour is located on the working farm. Open 11am to 6pm. Please note Morwick Dairy accepts cash only. Call 01665 711210.
Activities and Events
A short walk along the river from the marina takes you to the magnificent Warkworth Castle. Explore the cross-shaped keep, great hall, chapel and gate-house. Keep an eye out for the various events that run throughout the year – from medieval displays, to falconry and outdoor theatre.
One of Northumberland’s real hidden treasure’s the Hermitage is a religious building carved out of rock. Take a quick trip across the river in a rowing boat to enjoy the peaceful setting of this retreat. Open to the public on Sundays and Mondays (Friday to Monday during July and August).
Offering a wide selection of work by some of the UK's finest contemporary artists and designers the Fenwick Gallery is well worth a visit. Owned and run by mother and daughter team Dorien and Nicole Fenwick – both highly thought of artists in their own right – the gallery has an enviable reputation and offers something for all (closed Wednesdays).
Held annually in mid-August in the grounds of Warkworth Castle the Warkworth Show is not to be missed. Enjoy live music, a wide variety of food options, a dog show and various other fun, family friendly activities whilst waiting for the results of the best in show. Tickets can be purchased on the day.
Run by Warkworth Cricket Club this three day event held at the end of August always draws a big crowd. Offering live music, food, cricket and a wide selection of real ale, cider and gin to sample. There is a charge for admission and for drink tokens.
Perched high up on the dunes overlooking the beautiful beach. 18 holes costs just £10 and 9 holes £8. There is no tee-booking system - just turn up, pay and play. When the clubhouse is unstaffed the club operates an honesty box system.
Places to eat and drink
Winner of the ‘Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year’ award in 2016 and 2017, The Old Boathouse focuses on locally sourced seafood, expertly prepared. This rustic bistro can be found right on the harbour with spectacular views out on to the North Sea and towards Warkworth. Call 01665 711232.
The Fish Shack is another gem owned by the husband and wife team who own The Old Boathouse. This quirky eatery offers the same high-quality seafood with a more laidback atmosphere. Located on the harbour and purpose built from the old ‘Sea Quest’ boat it is well worth a visit for the excellent food, charm and relaxed ambience. Call 01665 711232.
Providing a warm welcome and rustic dishes this super Italian restaurant prides itself on serving fresh, handmade pasta and pizza. La Famiglia is situated on Queen Street a short walk from the Marina. Call 01665 711232.
Found at the top of the high street this charming pub offers a welcoming atmosphere, four en-suite rooms and a good restaurant. Call 01665 714646.
This award winning ice-cream parlour is a favourite at any time of day. Offering an amazing array of ice-creams and sorbets made on the premises, plus homemade cakes, Italian coffee, beers and wine. Closes at 5pm.
Activities and Events
Cruise across to the island – or take a boat trip from Amble harbour – to the RSPB nature reserve. You can’t land on the island but from the shoreline you can enjoy the spectacle of more than 30,000 birds nesting over the summer months. See if you can spot roseate tern, fulmars, kittiwakes, eider ducks, oystercatchers and, most famously, plenty of puffins!
This stunning seven mile stretch of coastline provides a beautiful cruising ground. Behind the dunes you will also find a number of nature reserves and Druridge Bay Country Park. Visitors can enjoy a number of activities including water sports, bird-watching, cycling and walking.
Organised by our neighbour Coquet Yacht Club this challenging race sees teams of four to six sailors and runners starting at Amble Marina and visiting five castles and the Islands of North Northumberland. The teams have 24 hours to complete the course.
A community-based charity the Coquet Shorebase Trust is an accredited RYA Training Centre. They run RYA Powerboat Level 1 and 2 courses, RYA Safety Boat courses and dinghy sailing training courses for RYA level 1 and 2 (age 14+) for budding young sailors. They offer a host of other watersports too.
Every year at the end of May – the best time to see the Coquet Island puffins - Amble hosts the Puffin Festival. The week long event includes talks from experts, kids activities, a beer festival and a music festival featuring live performances from local bands and musicians.
The Harbour Village consists of 15 retail “pods” selling a range of arts and crafts, jewellery, accessories, and food and drink. A real treasure trove for anyone looking for a unique and quirky shopping experience. There is also a seafood centre selling locally caught seafood and a lobster hatchery.
Places to eat and drink
The newest offering in Alnmouth, The Whittling House, serves up the highest quality, freshest Northumbrian produce cooked to perfection. This delightful restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere, is dog friendly and also offers 10 bedrooms. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and fabulous cocktails booking is advised. To book call 01665 463001.
A fabulous traditional 18th Century Coaching Inn, The Red Lion is always popular with both visitors and locals. Serving some of the finest local beers and high quality, locally sourced pub food, the Red Lion is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Owned by husband and wife team, Mac and Jane, you are sure to receive a genuinely warm Northumbrian welcome. To book call 01665 830584.
In the heart of the village you will find the Tea Cosy Tearoom (open from 10.30am – 4.15pm every day) & Bistro 23 (Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7pm – midnight). The tearoom offers a warm and friendly atmosphere and delicious food. The focus of the Bistro is on a fresh, simple menu, done really well and excellent service. Booking for bistro nights is essential, call 01665 830393.
Scott’s of Alnmouth is a fabulous deli brimming with delicious sweet and savoury delights from homemade cakes to the best locally produced pies. The deli also has a high quality selection of beverages for sale – with a particularly interesting selection of gin. There is a small café in a lowered level of the deli providing a lovely brunch and lunch menu. Open 10am – 5pm.
Activities and Events
The beautiful beach at Alnmouth is a key attraction – whether you are looking for a peaceful walk or the perfect place for building sandcastles with the family. Parking is available down on the beachfront – there is a small charge for parking from the beginning of May until the end of October.
A lovely gallery featuring the work of well-known Northumberland artist Sue Fenlon. The gallery has a wide range of new work from leading artists from across the UK and a reputation for the eclectic and diverse variety of local art and printmaking. As well as perusing the fabulous artwork you can also enjoy delicious coffee and homemade cake or take part in one of the workshops that run throughout the year.
The Alnmouth Food Festival was launched in 2017 and has proved to be a huge success. Held in April the festival celebrates the regions finest artisan producers. Featuring over 20 stall-holders in the village hall, a wide variety of street food and local restaurants providing special festival menus.
This annual event is held over a summer weekend in late June and involves the whole village. Follow the guide to discover a stunning array of artwork in a wide range of quirky venues. In addition to the art you will find street food, live music and a wide range of family friendly activities – from performers and story-telling to children’s art and craft.