Alnwick

Alnwick is a picturesque market town in Northumberland which dates back to AD 600, or thereabouts. Alnwick castle, which borders the town, is the ancestral home of the Earls of Northumberland. The castle has featured in many films and TV series, notably Blackadder, Harry Potter, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

As well as a wonderful castle and gardens, Alnwick is also home to one of Britain’s largest second-hand bookshops, Barter Books, which is housed in the old Alnwick railway station.

There is a good selection of pubs in Alnwick, catering for residents and tourists. One of my personal favorites is The John Bull on Howick Street, a real traditional local pub.

 

 

The bar of the John Bull is always stocked with an interesting range of well-kept real ale and a truly impressive collection of malt whiskies.

 

 

The 16^th century Queens Head Hotel, the oldest pub in Alnwick, is a former coaching inn situated on Market Street.

 

A view down Narrowgate showing the Hairy Lemon and The Olde Cross. Just round the corner to the right is The Oddfellows Arms.

The Hariry Lemon is probably the worst name of any drinking establishment I know. It was previously known as The Black Swan

The Olde Cross on Narrowgate, also known as the Dirty Bottles.

A Victorian landlord was reputedly placing some bottles in the pub window when he suddenly died. It is said that whoever touches them will suffer the same fate, and they remain untouched to this day.

The Oddfellows Arms on Narrowgate
 

The Fleece Inn on Bondgate Without.  This is a wonderful stone-built pub and, like most pubs in the town, it sells real ale.
 

 

 

The Tanners Arms on Hotspur Street is a one-roomed locals pub which has a long-standing reputation for well-kept real ale and live music.

Alnwick’s most famous son was Henry Percy, born in 1364 in Alnwick castle, the eldest son of Henry Percy, 1^st Earl of Northumberland. Henry Percy became better known as Harry Hotspur after his speed and readiness to attack when battling against the Scots. He was immortalized in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1.

The Percy family also owned land in Tottenham, which is now part of north London, and Harry Hotspur actually lived there for a while. His nickname was incorporated into Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

 

The White Swan on Bondgate Within is a 300-year old coaching inn located right in the centre of town. Although not really a pub, it is still worth mentioning as one of the rooms was refurbished several years ago using the dining room from the RMS Olympic, the sister ship of the ill-fated Titanic.
 

 

The Alnwick Arms on Clayport Street
 

The Market Tavern on Fenkle Street.