Throughout the ages, people have settled in and around Alnmouth to take advantage of the sheltered estuary of the River Aln. In the middle ages, Alnmouth became a profitable port with grain and fertilizer being shipped and stored around the estuary.
Today people visit Alnmouth because of its beautiful sandy beaches and quaint village charm. The high street is bustling in the summer and there are many quaint shops and places to explore.
Alnmouth also boasts not one, but two golf courses. Alnmouth Village Golf Club is England’s oldest 9 hole links golf course and Alnmouth Golf Club at Foxton Hall has recently been listed as one of the Top 100 Hidden Gem Golf Courses in the UK by Golf Monthly magazine.
There are many adventurous opportunities available around the local area, such as kayaking, surfing and scuba diving, so why not give these a go whilst in the area.
Alnmouth has also become a hub for art lovers with its annual Arts Festival running on the weekend of June 21st & 22nd.
Another annual festival not to be missed, is the Alnmouth Beer Festival which takes place in traditional pubs in the village. All within an easy walk from Westlea Guest House – thankfully!
Video credit : Andrew Bryson Photography
For those wishing to explore this hugely diverse county, Westlea Guest House in Alnmouth makes a great base. Northumberland has more castles and fortified houses than any other English county – testament to its once less tranquil past! Just down the road is the village of Warkworth and it’s magnificently preserved castle, an English Heritage property which is often used in TV dramas and films.
A short journey north brings you to the market town of Alnwick. Alnwick is the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland and Alnwick Castle was also one of the main sets for Hoggwarts in the Harry Potter movies. Alnwick also boasts The Alnwick Garden. A contemporary garden and visitor attraction designed by the Duchess of Northumberland.
Slightly further afield, but well worth the trips, are the romantic cliff-top ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and the landmark of the imposing Bamburgh Castle which comes complete with its own legends of dragons and associations with King Arthur!
Other sites not to be missed include trips to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, walks and bike rides in the Northumberland National Park and perhaps a sail or wander in one of Europes largest forests at Kielder.
The area in the National Park have recently been designated as Europes largest Dark Sky Park, meaning that the attractions in Northumberland don’t vanish once the sun goes down!
Remember, we are here to help you make the most of your trip to our region – so if there’s anything you’d like to chat through, please don’t hesitate to contact us.