WHY?

Dubbed the “Windsor of the North” due to its iconic and rather glam castle at its historic centre, Alnwick is a charming medieval market town in the heart of Northumberland. Surrounded by Northumberland National Park, the largest Dark Sky Park in the UK with its own hill-top observatory, and edged by award-winning beaches, Alnwick is the top spot for those who love a bit of history, the great outdoors and star-gazing – what’s not to love? With its picturesque Harry Pottereque (it was filmed here) cobbled streets, unusual eateries, and friendly, Northern community, Alnwick is the rising gem in the North.

It’s definitely got that magical charm that’s hard to resist—think eclectic bookshops, cosy pubs with crackling fires down little alleys, and a calendar full of local events. Half an hour from Newcastle, an hour from Edinburgh and three and half hours from London it’s well connected to city life by train but drive 10 minutes and you’re on an award-winning empty beach or up on the wild Cheviot hills without a person in sight. The castle and its gardens give Alnwick a fairy tale magic but it’s probably the friendly community that puts it on the map as ‘happiest’ and ‘coolest’ place to live in a bevy of recent UK surveys. 

EAT

Alnwick’s food scene is all about quality food with gorgeous backdrops. Start your day with a coffee and a good read at Barter Books’ Station Buffet—this unique café is housed in a former Victorian railway station. A bit of a literary legend as the second-largest second-hand bookshop in the UK, it’s a must-visit for lovers of books and homemade cakes. For lunch, head to The Treehouse Restaurant in Alnwick Garden, where you can dine in one of the world’s largest treehouses—fairy lights, log fires, and all. For afternoon tea, try The Northern Angels, a delightful café in the marketplace celebrating the lives of inspirational women in the North East—from suffragettes to lighthouse keepers.

For witchy vibes, check out Sweet Solstice, a magical bakery and café owned by a pastry chef who bakes cakes for the castle. For evening meals, try The Dirty Bottles, a “cursed” pub with ancient bottles in its window—legend has it if you touch them, you drop down dead! So maybe just order Sunday lunch instead. Adam and Eve Pub has great cocktails and is where the foodies go to eat in Alnwick.

For a special treat, visit The Sonnet, a newly opened fine dining experience with a 14-course tasting menu getting rave reviews. A bit further afield, try The Potted Lobster in Bamburgh. A 15-minute drive away, it’s a seafood lover’s favourite and included in all the recent Michelin Guides. For local fish and chips, try award-winning Carlos in the centre of town—followed by their homemade, artisan gelato. 

SHOP

Alnwick is slowly building a thriving eclectic mix of independent shops and hosts a market three times a week. Don’t miss Barter Books, not just a second-hand bookstore, an experience – think roaring coal fires, comfy armchairs, a miniature train chugging overhead and the chance to buy and swap books too. Bring in your pre-loved novels, and you can trade them for credit to spend on new (to you) literary treasures. For fashion and homeware, try Marilyn & Melrose and Ruby Tuesday.

For something unique, try The Beehive, a vintage shop regularly featured on BBC’s Antiques Road Trip, selling furniture and accessories you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss the amazing vinyl collection at the back. The owner of the shop is an ex-90s music exec with a podcast interviewing his old industry pals. Just don’t ask him about Blur! The Accidental Bookshop is Alnwick’s award-winning independent bookshop, hosting regular book clubs in the evenings, plus hosting events with big names from Michael Palin to Vera creator Ann Cleeves. 

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The town is served by Alnwick Medical Group for all your GP needs, and Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre offers a gym, pool, and fitness classes. There’s a well-established and popular yoga studio, Tru Yoga for your downward dog fix plus Sound Baths and meditation lessons. For outdoor pursuits, there’s an active wild swimming community plus paddleboarding and canoeing at local beaches, a short drive away. And if a free Park Run in front the jaw-dropping castle, every Saturday, doesn’t get you in your Lycra, nothing will.

COMMUNITY

There’s a packed calendar of events to immerse yourself in the community love bubble. The Alnwick Story Fest brings writers from around the world in February, while the What a Wonderful World festival brings eco-warriors and international experts in June. The annual Beer Festival in the marketplace in August is a hit with beer lovers, and the VW Dub Fest for VW Camper Van fans in front of the castle is an annual sell-out in July. The town is also home to regular book clubs and film screenings at the Playhouse, Alnwick Gardens, Alnwick Castle, the award-winning Bailiffgate Museum, (plus the year-round festivals).

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Besides the famous Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Garden is also at the centre of this historic market town. A whimsical garden with massive fountains, a poison garden and an orchard of 300 Japanese cherry trees, it was created by Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland. Who needs Bridgerton when Alnwick has its very own Duke and Duchess? (You may have followed The Duchess on Channel 4’s TV show The Duchess and Her Magical Kingdom about how has created Lilidorei, a new attraction for children, which sits beside her famed garden.) With giant magic mushrooms, wishing trees and the largest play structure in the world, it’s just one more thing to put Alnwick on the map to be the best place for children (and big children!) to live.

If you’re more a fan of muscly Vikings in The Last Kingdom and want some ‘Uhtred, son of Uhtred’ action, go and visit Bamburgh Castle (which inspired the Bernard Cornwall books) and sits on the stunning Northumberland Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For a spiritual fix, don’t miss Holy Island (Lindisfarne), where history, spirituality, and a breath-taking drive across the causeway make this must-see. 

Nature lovers, head to The Farne Islands to see seals, puffins, and other seabirds. The Billy Shiels Boat trips from Seahouses have special sea swimming trips where you can paddle withseals and, if you’re lucky, the resident pod of dolphins. Cragside, a National Trust property with acres of beautiful gardens and a Victorian house, is perfect for families – and  which was first in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power and feels like you’ve walked onto the Downton film set. 

CULTURE

Alnwick is a cultural hub in Northumberland. The Playhouse is the town’s main theatre, offering a mix of live performances, films, and events throughout the year. Alnwick Castle also hosts a variety of cultural events, from broomstick lessons to outdoor concerts and outdoor film screenings. Literature lovers will enjoy Alnwick Story Fest, which brings world-class authors and performers to the town every year – from Vera’s creator Ann Cleeves to Hollywood Directors of Dungeons & Dragons, the latest blockbuster filmed at the castle. The town also has a lively music scene, with live bands and performances happening regularly in local pubs and at community events – check out Harry’s Bar on Sunday night and The Alegate on Sunday afternoon for local live music. 

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

Alnwick offers a range of housing options for its 10,000 residents, from charming period properties to modern family homes and estates. The average house price in Alnwick is around £250,000, making it an affordable option to own your very own place. For a period terraced house, expect to pay around £200,000, while detached homes go for £400,000 and above. Properties with views of the castle or in the hottest postcodes tend to command higher prices, obviously. 

HOT PROPERTY 

NURSERIES

Looking for good childcare? Alnwick offers several excellent nurseries. Shilbottle Friendly Frogs nursery scored excellent for its personal development. Swansfield Primary School nursery offers a Forest School for little people. 

SCHOOLS

Alnwick has its own high school The Duchess’s Community High School, which has just become an academy and is known for its strong academic performance and excellent facilities. For primary education, St Michael’s Church of England Primary School and Swansfield Park Primary School are both well-regarded. For those seeking private education, some of the top private schools in the North East are in Newcastle – Royal Grammar School, Dame Allan’s Girls’ School, Dame Allan’s Boys’ School and Newcastle High School for Girls GDST – and are 30mins by train.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Alnwick Castle isn’t just famous for its role in the Harry Potter films – they famously filmed the scene where Harry learned to fly a broomstick here – it was also the site of the very first live-action role-play event based on the series. So, if you’re a Potterhead, there’s magic lingering in the air. 

COMMUTE

Alnwick is well-connected by road and rail. The A1 provides easy access by car to Newcastle in about 45 mins and Edinburgh in under 2 hrs. Alnmouth Station is a 10 min drive, offering regular services to Newcastle, Edinburgh, and beyond – 30 mins to Newcastle and an 60 mins to Edinburgh. There is also a cycle path to Alnmouth station, and it takes 20 mins downhill.

A season ticket to Newcastle costs around £1,400 per year, making it a viable option for commuters. Regular bus services also connect Alnwick to nearby towns and villages, but the buses do take an age, stopping at every village so not really practical for daily commuting (but great for appreciating the amazing beauty of the area.) 

View the full Top 300 Best Places to Live.