The picturesque village of Alnmouth is 1 mile east of the station and well worth exploring. Walking to the village will usually be best because hourly X18 buses to the village depart from the northbound stop at Hipsburn Roundabout and then turn back before reaching the village centre (the village bus stop is marked on the map). Alnmouth's sandy beach is 1½ miles from the station.
This is the smallest museum in Northumberland (and perhaps in the country).
The hut sheltered the ferryman who once rowed people across the river, now pictures and memorabilia inside tell
the story of boating life in Alnmouth. Admission free.
Open Daily, any reasonable time.
www.alnmouthparishcouncil.org.uk
The historic market town of Alnwick is about 4 miles from Alnmouth station.
There is a good view of medieval Alnwick Castle from the historic Lion Bridge.
www.visitalnwick.org.uk
Bus X20 from near Station or X18/X20 from Hipsburn Roundabout (¼ mile from Station)
to Alnwick Bus Station, about 15 minutes journey, X20 M-S hourly, X18 Daily hourly.
Operated by Arriva.
Alnwick Castle © Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the UK. It is the home of the Duke and Duchess
of Northumberland and has been owned by the Percy family for over 700 years. See the State Rooms and Great Kitchen.
Museums cover the history of the Castle and the Percy family. The Fusiliers of Northumberland Museum is on the site.
The Castle Grounds stretch to the River Aln. Daily activities, talks and tours. Events programme. Café.
Open Apr-Oct, 1000-1700.
www.alnwickcastle.com
Bus to Alnwick Bus Station (see above).
A complex of contemporary formal gardens with various themed plantings. Central water cascade.
Unusual features include a bamboo labyrinth and a poison garden. Events programme. Restaurant and café.
Lilidorei is a magical and mysterious village of clans who worship Christmas all year round! Large play structure.
Open Apr-Oct, Garden Daily 1000-1700, Lilidorei WThFSSu 1000-1700. See website for full details.
www.alnwickgarden.com
Bus to Alnwick Bus Station (see above).
The Museum is located in a former church and covers the history of Alnwick from prehistoric times
to the present day. Exhibitions and events programme.
Open TWThFS 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk
Bus to Alnwick Bus Station (see above).
Once popular hunting grounds for the Percy family, there are waymarked walking trails around the Park
which is woodland and farmland with the River Aln flowing through. Download a map from the website. Admission free.
Open Daily 1100-1600 but check website for closures.
www.northumberlandestates.co.uk
Bus to Alnwick Bus Station (see above) then ½ mile to entrance.
A standard gauge heritage railway with its base at Lionheart Station, south of the A1 which severed the original
route into Alnwick. Steam and heritage diesel trains. There are plans to extend the line to Alnmouth station. Playground. Café.
Open see website for days and train times.
www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk
Bus to Alnwick Bus Station (see above) then 1¾ miles walk
or second bus X15/472 from Bus Station to Lionheart Enterprise Park, about 10 minutes journey.
X15 M-S hourly, Sun 2-hourly, operated by Arriva.
472 M-S hourly, operated by Glen Valley.
The formidable medieval Warkworth Castle was the home of the powerful Percy family, Earls of Northumberland, who were
often at war with the Scots or English kings. The towered walls are almost intact and there are good views from the top of the Keep.
The Duke's Rooms have been restored to show how they were lavishly decorated. Trails and sculptures in the grounds
explain events in the castle's history. A ¾ mile riverside walk and ferry lead to the Hermitage.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, see website. Hermitage open on selected days.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus X20 from near Station or X18/X20 from Hipsburn Roundabout (¼ mile from Station)
to Warkworth Market Place, 8 minutes journey, X20 M-S hourly, X18 Daily hourly.
Operated by Arriva.
Buses also operate from Ashington and Morpeth.
Allow time to explore the attractive village of Warkworth which retains its medieval layout
and bridge over the River Coquet. Warkworth's sandy beach is ¾ mile from the Market Place.
Created from an open-cast mine site, the reserve is near the coast and attracts a wide variety of birds all year.
Wildflowers, butterflies and dragonflies can be seen in the summer months. 1½ miles circular trail around the reserve.
Bird-watching hides. Visitor Centre and café. Picnic area. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Daily 0900-1700.
www.nwt.org.uk
Bus X20 from near Station to Hauxley Road End
(shortly after Amble) then 1¼ miles walk. 20 minutes journey, M-S hourly.
Operated by Arriva.
Buses also operate from Ashington.
Howick Hall is the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey. Earl Grey tea takes its name from the 2nd Earl.
The Gardens were created by the 5th Earl Grey with an informal and natural style of gardening. Highlights include spring
bulbs, borders with summer plants, a woodland garden and a wild bog garden around a pond. Woodlands walks through the
Arboretum. Events programme. Earl Grey Tea House.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1030-1600 (1800 Apr-Sep).
www.howickhallgardens.com
Bus X18 from Lesbury Roundabout (½ mile from Station) to Longhoughton, North End,
8 minutes journey, then 1½ miles walk. Alternatively alight at Craster as for Dunstanburgh Castle below then 2¼ miles walk*.
Daily, infrequent, extra journeys in summer. Operated by Arriva.
Buses also operate from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
* Infrequent bus 418 operates M-S between Craster and Howick Hall entrance (where there are no marked stops), 6 minutes journey.
Bus 418 is operated by Borders Buses.
An iconic ruined castle on the Northumberland coast. It was once one of the largest and grandest
fortifications in northern England. The headland is a good place for wildlife with seabirds nesting on the cliffs in early summer.
The Castle is owned by National Trust and managed by English Heritage.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, see website.
www.english-heritage.org.uk |
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Bus X18 from Lesbury Roundabout (½ mile from Station) to Craster, about 20 minutes journey,
then 1¼ miles coastal walk. Daily, infrequent, extra journeys in summer. Return buses from the arrival stop.
Operated by Arriva.
Buses also operate from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The Farne Islands are a National Nature Reserve and home to a large colony of grey seals. In early summer
the islands host large breeding colonies of seabirds, including puffins and artic terns. There are boat tours from Seahouses
to sail around the Farne Islands or land on Inner Farne, see the website for full details including rules to protect the seabirds.
Open see website.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands
Bus X18 from Lesbury Roundabout (½ mile from Station) to Seahouses, King Street.
About 50 minutes journey. Daily, infrequent, extra journeys in summer.
Operated by Arriva.
Buses also operate from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Ancient Bamburgh Castle stands on a rocky plateau above the Northumberland coast. It is one of the largest inhabited
castles in the country. The Castle was bought by the Victorian inventor and engineer William George Armstrong in 1894 and houses his large
collection of artwork. There's a great deal to see including the State Rooms, King's Hall, Armoury and Victorian Stables.
Archaeology Museum. Armstrong and Aviation Museum. Events programme. Café.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1000-1700.
www.bamburghcastle.com
Bus X18 from Lesbury Roundabout (½ mile from Station) to Bamburgh,
Lord Crewe Hotel (near Castle). About 60 minutes journey. Daily, infrequent, extra journeys in summer.
Operated by Arriva.
Buses also operate from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The museum tells the story of Victorian Britain's greatest heroine who risked her life
to rescue 9 survivors from a local shipwreck in September 1838. Exhibits include the coble (a boat) used in the
rescue, personal items, letters and family portraits. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Apr-Sep, Daily 1000-1700. Oct-Mar, TWThFSSu 1000-1600.
www.rnli.org
Bus as for Bamburgh Castle above but alight Bamburgh, The Grove (just after Lord Crewe Hotel).
