This guide focuses on mid Northumberland, loosely based on the wider Alnwick area but inclusive of Rothbury and Longframlington and stretching all the way up to Craster.
Encompassing some fantastic coastal spots and some amazing, rural countryside, this area of the county is absolutely staggering and is made up of well-known, popular sites as well as lesser-known and undiscovered secrets.
Villages and Towns near Alnwick
There are many fantastic market towns and quaint villages in mid Northumberland (more than we can fit into one blog!) but here is a basic round up to help you begin your research:
ALNWICK - Alnwick is a magical market town in mid Northumberland which is home to Alnwick Castle (otherwise known as Hogwarts) a beautiful old train station which is now a secondhand bookshop and the amazing Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden.
ROTHBURY - Head inland to find beautiful Rothbury, the tiny riverside village in Northumberland National Park. An ideal base for exploring the Simonside Hills, The Cheviot Hills, Cragside House, Gardens and Estate and more. Not to mention there are pubs a-plenty to enjoy while you’re here.
ALNMOUTH - Alnmouth is a breath-taking fishing village with staggering views of Northumberland’s pristine coastline. Home to a small high-street scattered with delis, cafes and pubs, it’s an ideal base for accessing the Northumberland coast path and many of Northumberland’s attractions.
WARKWORTH - Warkworth is another coastal village with the River Coquet running through its centre and amazing Warkworth Castle standing over it. Think beautiful, stone-front cottages, a beautiful beach and well-known Bertram’s which is a cosy cafe by day and high-end restaurant by night.
AMBLE - Amble is known for having the ‘friendliest port in England’ and is a seafront town with amazing seafood restaurants - and the best fish and chips! A lesser known fact about Amble is you can take boat trips from here out to Coquet Island to see puffins, sometimes seals and maybe even dolphins.
LONGFRAMLINGTON - Longframlington is a tiny, inland village nestled away in the sweeping Northumberland countryside. Made up of a cluster of stone cottages, and with Coquetdale and Thrunton Woods on its doorstep, it makes for a beautiful and peaceful base.
CRASTER - The wonderful fishing village of Craster is famous for its delicious Craster kippers and easy access to Dunstanburgh Castle. With the Jolly Fisherman pub teetering over the coastline offering a seafront beer garden, and L Robson’s where you can pick up some kippers and enjoy them at the harbour, this is an unmissable spot.
EMBLETON - Beautiful Embleton is tucked between Low Newton and Craster and Embleton Bay, a staggering stretch of pristine beach, can be viewed from either village. The ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle act as the backdrop for the bay and there are a couple of pubs in the village itself.
FELTON - Felton is a tiny village which sits on the River Coquet. Enjoy picturesque riverside views, ample walking routes, the lovely Northumberland Arms pub and cosy Running Fox, Felton cafe.
Sleep - Hotels near Alnwick
Pick a beautiful hotel in mid Northumberland and enjoy coast, countryside castles and more:
THE TEMPUS - Listed in The Times Top 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK 2024, The Tempus is a staggering, luxury hotel with 33 bedrooms, boutique suites, hot tub rooms and dog friendly accommodation. Located in the Charlton Hall Estate, this opulent hotel sits within easy reach of Alnwick, Beadnell, Bamburgh and more, and has its own elegant bar and restaurant area to be enjoyed throughout your stay.
THE WHITTLING HOUSE - The Whittling House is a stunning hotel based in Alnmouth which offers top-class holiday accommodation with ten, characterful bedrooms. Boasting one of the best restaurants and pubs in Alnmouth, serving a mixture of locally sourced, seasonal dishes, its stunning interiors and roaring open fires make it the perfect spot for snuggling up after a day of exploring the amazing Northumberland coast.
BAILIFFGATE HOTEL - Sat directly beside Alnwick Castle with castle views from the bedroom windows, Bailiffgate Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel filled with Georgian character. Enjoy the Courtyard Garden for brunch, Afternoon Teas and more during the day and spend the evening dining in the Motte & Bailey bistro, followed by a drink in their cosy fireside bar.
WILDHIVE ESHOTT HALL - Opening 1st December 2026, Wildhive Eshott Hall is a Georgian country house hotel set in 37 acres of gardens and ancient woodland near Morpeth, a short drive from the coast. Guests can stay in one of 14 elegant house bedrooms or a cosy Woodmans' Cabin, with further dog friendly rooms and wellbeing facilities opening in early 2027. The Garden Room restaurant showcases delicious Northumberland produce, including ingredients from the hall’s own walled garden.
OLD RECTORY HOWICK - The Old Rectory, Howick Country House B&B is set in peaceful surroundings in the lovely village of Howick, close to Craster. Ideally located for exploring Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum, the home of Earl Grey Tea, as well as The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Castle, and Dunstanburgh Castle, they are just a short walk away from the Northumberland Coast Path.
ST VALERY BOUTIQUE B&B, ALNMOUTH - St Valery is Alnmouth’s only boutique B&B, centrally located on Alnmouth high street and just a few minutes’ walk from beautiful Alnmouth beach and estuary. With only three double rooms, it has an exclusive feel and guests can enjoy their honesty bar, a roaring fire in winter and a decked garden in summer.
WARKWORTH HOUSE HOTEL - This family-run hotel sits in the heart of Warkworth, just a two-minute stroll from the village’s magnificent castle. Its 14 rooms and suites mix modern and traditional styles. Riverside walks, Warkworth Dunes, coastal cycle routes, golf courses and Alnwick Castle are all within easy reach.
THE COOKIE JAR - The Cookie Jar is a luxury boutique hotel in historic market town of Alnwick, less than a minute’s walk from amazing Alnwick Castle. Formerly the Convent of Mercy for over 120 years, the Cookie Jar stands on the cobbled streets of Bailiffgate and was voted "Best Place to stay in the North" by the Sunday Times. Offering 11 beautifully appointed bedrooms, they boast drench showers, heavenly freestanding bathtubs and immaculate decor.
Sleep - Self Catering Accommodation near Alnwick
Here are some self catering accommodation highlights in mid Northumberland:
CRASTER COASTAL CABINS - Based on Howick Scar Farm, a small family-run farm just outside Craster, these luxury glamping pods are made for unplugging. Each cabin has a peaceful, secluded spot with sweeping views over rolling countryside to the sea. The coastal path, Dunstanburgh Castle and Craster’s famous kippers are close by, making it a cosy, quiet base for exploring the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.
VILLAGE FARM COTTAGES - Village Farm Cottages are tucked in the Northumbrian countryside, in the heart of the old village of Shilbottle. Enjoying a rural and tranquil setting, their offering ranges from Scandinavian-style chalets to traditional stone-built cottages and a 17th century farmhouse. A huge bonus of staying here is you get access to the on-site spa facilities for the duration of your trip, perfect for a relaxing break.
BRUNTON HOUSE AND COTTAGES - Brunton House and Cottages are set on an organic farm, just two miles from staggering, sandy Beadnell Bay. Castles, coast and countryside are all within easy reach and the lakeside walks around the farm are enough to tempt you into not leaving! Ranging from one-bedroom cottages to the wonderful eight-bedroom Brunton House, there is something for everyone here.
GLANTON PYKE - Set in the Cheviot foothills, nine miles from Alnwick, Glanton Pyke is a Georgian country house retreat with award-winning private gardens. Choose from The Hall, a six-bedroom house with open fires and generous living spaces for larger groups, or the two-bedroom Stable Cottage. Explore the peaceful beech hedge mazes, croquet lawns, a walled garden with an Italianate pond, meadow and woodland, then enjoy some of England’s darkest night skies.
BEACH AND QUIET - Excellently located Beach and Quiet cottages sit in the coastal villages of Craster, just a stone’s throw from the historic harbour and a short walk from Dunstanburgh Castle, and Embleton, by beautiful Embleton Bay. Ranging from a two person cottage to a huge, 18 person house, any group size can enjoy these fantastic cottages.
BREAMISH VALLEY COTTAGES - Nestled at the foot of the Cheviot Hills, Breamish Valley Cottages sit on the edge of Northumberland National Park, surrounded by some of the best walks in the county. Find solitude rambling through historic landscapes, cycle along peaceful country lanes and explore incredible attractions when you stay here. Not to mention enjoy their fantastic on-site restaurant and relaxing spa facilities.
GARDEN COTTAGE, CRABTREE & CRABTREE - Garden Cottage is a stylish one bedroom retreat for two on an organic farm within the 2,500-acre Fallodon Estate near Embleton, beside a historic water mill. Cosy up beside the wood-burning stove, with unlimited estate logs, a wall of books and a private garden.
MIDWOOD COTTAGES - ALNMOUTH COTTAGES - This cosy cottage with a fabulous private garden with a treehouse and position just five minutes from the beach is perfect for a small family retreat. The cottage sleeps two adults and offers a cot for a toddler with lounge settee that can also be used. Based in amazing Alnmouth, one of the most beautiful villages in Northumberland, there are pubs, cafes, attractions and more nearby.
ILDERTON DOD BARNS - Ilderton Dod Barns sit a mile and a half up a private track on an 1,800-acre working hill farm in the Cheviot Hills. Offering two lovingly converted self-catering cottages, The Barn and Cuckoo Cottage, the farm lies within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and binoculars are provided, making it the perfect spot for stargazing.
HUTS IN THE HILLS - Based on Prendwick Farm near Whittingham, Huts in the Hills offers five beautifully crafted shepherd’s huts with sweeping views across the Northumberland countryside. Each has a crackling log burner for cosy evenings in and an antique French outdoor bath for soaking under the dark skies. Home cooked meals and breakfast baskets made with local ingredients can be ordered ahead, so you can kick back and completely relax.
WALKMILL CAMPING AND CARAVAN SITE - Walkmill Campsite is a quiet and peaceful campsite sitting in close proximity to the picturesque River Coquet, near the wonderful coastal village of Warkworth. The site offers spacious grass touring and tent pitches, and bell tent accommodation for added comfort and additional treats such as wood burning pizza oven and a barbecue. ***The main campsite is open from April - October, bell tents are available until mid November.
Explore Alnwick
Now you’ve picked your accommodation, here are some attractions to get your teeth into while you’re here.
WARKWORTH CASTLE - Warkworth Castle is an impressive medieval castle that stands over the village of Warkworth.
DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE - Just a short walk from Craster village, Dunstanburgh Castle is a site of charming ruinous remains that teeter over Northumberland’s coast.
CRAGSIDE HOUSE AND GARDENS - Cragside was the first house to be lit by hydro-electricity, with gardens made up of man-made lakes, tumbling waterfalls and swathes of rhododendron to enjoy.
ALNWICK CASTLE - Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the country and starred as Hogwarts in Harry Potter as the broomstick lesson and other scenes were filmed here. The castle is closed for the winter from 21 October 2026, reopening in March 2027.
THE ALNWICK GARDEN - The Alnwick Garden is an incredible garden made up of a peaceful Cherry Orchard, exciting Grand Cascade, mysterious Bamboo Labyrinth and intriguing Poison Garden.
LILIDOREI AT THE ALNWICK GARDEN - Lilidorei is a magical family attraction. The mysterious village full of play and home to 9 clans who worship Christmas is home to the largest play structure in the world.
HEPPLE WILDS - On the Hepple Estate in the Simonside Hills, Hepple Wilds is one of Northumberland’s most exciting rewilding projects. Small-group tours and private experiences show visitors the returning wildlife and sweeping hill views.
ALNWICK PLAYHOUSE - In the centre of Alnwick, Alnwick Playhouse is one of the leading small arts venues in the North of England. Keep an eye on their website for their year programme of events and live performances which bring together professional touring theatre, live music, dance and the latest films, alongside National Theatre Live screenings.
MANN+MOON - This unique countryside studio is based in Whittingham near Alnwick, where visitors can purchase handmade distinctive leather and Harris Tweed accessories for dogs and their owners. The range runs from collars, leads and made-to-measure coats to dog walker’s bags and cosy throws. Materials come from UK suppliers, and every order gets a personal, bespoke service. Visitors can also book a leathercraft workshop for beginners to make their own dog collar, belt or bracelet (with homemade cake included!).
HAUXLEY WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTRE - The Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre is one of the best wildlife watching spots in the North East and is a haven for breeding and migrating birds, red squirrels and otters.
ST OSWALD’S WAY - This magnificent route follows the stunning Northumberland coast and countryside from Holy Island to Heavenfield and Hadrian’s Wall. You will find castles, coastline, islands, scenic river valleys and more and can, of course, complete sections of the route for shorter hikes.
Places to Eat near Alnwick
There are many excellent eateries in mid Northumberland, but here are some of our top picks for restaurants, pubs and cafes near the Alnwick area.
THE WHITTLING HOUSE - Not only a hotel, The Whittling House also offers a fantastic restaurant which you can pop into for a delectable menu of local ingredients, and a cosy setting by an open fire.
SCOTS OF ALNMOUTH - This stylish deli is fantastic for a takeout coffee, organic goods and freshly made sandwiches and bakes.
BERTRAM’S CAFE, WARKWORTH - Bertram’s is a beautiful restaurant in Warkworth which is a cosy cafe by day and elegant restaurant by night, with a delicious menu and wine pairing events.
SONNET RESTAURANT, ALNWICK - Sonnet is one of Alnwick’s newest additions that serves a 14-course tasting menu based on the best quality ingredients from Northumberland.
THE BOSK RESTAURANT - At the same home of Breamish Valley Cottages and Bosk B&B, The Bosk Restaurant offers big cosy chairs, rustic yet elegant interiors and panoramic views of the Breamish Valley.
There are so many more fantastic things to do, restaurants and accommodation in mid Northumberland. We can’t possibly fit them all into one blog but we hope this guide helps you plan your next trip! Feel free to browse our other pages for more ideas.
