Page 212 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

210 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

4 Alnwick
Northumberland; NE66 1TN
This attractive market town is a compact warren of cobbled streets, old
stone buildings and narrow alleys tucked between its main attractions,
Alnwick Castle and Garden. It is also ideally located for countryside or
coastal trips. Allow at least half a day to tour the town and its sights.
A two-hour walking tour A path from behind the Greenwell
From the car park head down Road car park leads up to Alnwick
Greenwell Road to the 15th-century Castle 5 (Apr–Oct: open daily; www.
Bondgate Tower 1 (or Hotspur Tower), alnwickcastle.com), the second-largest
originally one of four town gateways. inhabited castle in the country and
Walk up Bondgate Within, past Market seat of the Dukes of Northumberland
Place and Cross and Northumberland since 1309. Fans of the first two Harry
Hall on the left, into Narrowgate, Potter films will recognize the exterior
curving round to the right. Turn left as Hogwarts. Dominating the town,
down Bailiffgate, with its old houses, the castle dates from the 11th century
and visit the Bailiffgate Museum 2 but has seen major expansion since
(closed Mon; www.bailiffgatemuseum.co. the 14th century. Visitors can tour the
Above The Bailey at Alnwick Castle, used in uk), in the former St Mary’s Church and grand state rooms, a library, a fabulous
the Harry Potter films dedi cated to the people and places of Renaissance drawing room and an art
the area. Keen walkers can continue collection that includes works by Van
VISITING ALNWICK down Ratten Row for 1 km (half a Dyke and Canaletto.
Parking mile) to explore Hulne Park 3, a vast Walk back down the path to Alnwick
Turn right just before Bondgate archway area of estate forestry, farm and saw- Garden 6 (open daily Feb–Dec; www.
onto Greenwell Road for car park. mills. Head for 13th-century Carmelite alnwickgarden.com). In 1997 Jane Percy,
Tourist Information Hulne Friary, in the distance. Other- Duchess of Northumberland, decided
The Shambles, NE66 1TN; 01670 622 152; wise, turn left onto Northumberland to bring an overgrown garden close to
www.visitnorthumberland.com/alnwick Street and pass Pottergate Tower into the castle back to life. It is still an ongo-
Dispensary Street. Go left on Clayport ing project, created by Belgian garden
VISITING LINDISFARNE ISLAND
Street, up Market Street, and right designers Jacques and Peter Wirtz. The
Tide Information to arrive back on Bondgate Within. Grand Cascade, visible on entry, is the
Look for tables displayed on posts or call Return through the Tower, down largest water feature of its kind in the
the priory (01289 389 200) for details.
Bondgate Without. After passing UK. Between the Rose Garden, the
the War Memorial on the left, across Poison Garden and the Treehouse
WHERE TO STAY
from the Percy Tenantry Lion Column Restaurant, there is much to enjoy.
ALNWICK is the 19th-century Alnwick Station Return down the path to the car park.
Alnwick Lodge moderate building, home to Barter Books 4 ª Leave Alnwick on Bondgate
There are 15 colourful rooms plus great (open daily), a second-hand bookshop Without turning left on B1340.
breakfasts at this lodge, south of Alnwick. with a café and a model train that After Denwick, follow signs to
West Cawlidge Park, NE66 2HJ; 01665 tours the top of the shelves. Return Dunstanburgh, fork right to Craster
604 363; www.alnwicklodge.com
to the car park on Greenwell Road. to park. Walk to the castle.
Oaks Hotel moderate
There are 12 comfortable rooms in
this friendly pub-hotel on the mini 0 metres 300
roundabout on leaving Bondgate. R A T T E N R O W Bailiffgate
South Road, NE66 2PN; 01665 510 014; Museum 0 yards 300
www.theoakshotel.co.uk Hulne Park
White Swan expensive B AILIFFGATE NARRO W Alnwick
This 300-year-old coaching inn, with POTTERGATE GAT E Castle
56 bedrooms, has a handy central HOWLING LANE
location, good food and guest parking. D ISPEN S AR Y ST
Bondgate Within, NE66 1TD; 01665 602 GREENWELL RD Alnwick
Garden
109; thewhiteswan.classiclodges.co.uk MARKET BONDG
PLACE
WINDSOR GARDENS R A T T E N R O W Bailiffgatee
Bondgat
AROUND DUNSTANBURGH S T R EE T MARKET ST ATE WITHIN Museum
Tower
Old Rectory Howick moderate Hulne Park
Luxury B&B with a country-house feel G R E E N B A T T BONDGATE WITHOUT
set in its own grounds and close to a Alnwick
secluded beach. Award-winning C L AY P O R T POTTERGATE GAT E E E T Castle
B AILIFFGATE NARRO W
breakfast includes Craster kippers. HOWLING LANE P R U D H O E S T R
Craster, Alnwick, NE66 3LE; 01665 577 D ISPEN S AR Y ST Barter Books Alnwick
590; www.oldrectoryhowick.co.uk MARKET BONDG Garden
GREENWELL RD
PLACE
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150 WINDSOR GARDENS MARKET ST ATE WITHIN Bondgate
S T R EE T Tower
G R E E N B A T T BONDGATE WITHOUT
C L AY P O R T P R U D H O E S T R E E T
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Barter Books