Alnwick, a charming Northumberland market town, is best known for its magnificent castle—famous for Harry Potter filming and still home to the Dukes of Northumberland. Visitors looking for hotels will find plenty of choice: stylish Georgian conversions in the historic centre suit those who love character, while country house retreats nearby promise luxury and sweeping views. Families often head for the coast, where welcoming inns and a restaurant-with-rooms blend seaside charm with comfort. Wherever you stay, Alnwick delivers history with hospitality.

The castle is famous for its wizarding connections, where you can relive scenes from the Harry Potter films and wander through its grand rooms and grounds. Just next door, The Alnwick Garden is a real highlight — in spring the cherry blossoms are breathtaking, and throughout the year you’ll find the striking Grand Cascade, the intriguing Poison Garden, and landscaped grounds originally designed by Capability Brown. Beyond the castle walls, the town itself has plenty to offer. The Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery gives a fascinating look into 10,000 years of local history, while the monthly farmer’s market adds a lively, local flavour. Alnwick also makes a great base for walkers, with easy access to coastal paths, rolling countryside, and the wide-open landscapes of Northumberland National Park.

The Best Places to Stay in Alnwick

For Outstanding Value

• The Bondgate Boutique a chic Georgian townhouse opposite Alnwick Castle, offers just seven sleek rooms and suites with clever design, bold colour accents, and even a ground-floor option with private deck. There’s no restaurant, but Alnwick’s best dining is moments away.

For Foodies

• The Whittling House in charming Alnmouth blends coastal comfort with ten rustic-chic rooms above a lively restaurant and bar. Expect wood-burning stoves, real ales, local gins, and standout seafood, plus bright, contemporary rooms with cheerful artwork—just minutes from the beach and train station.

For Romantics

• The Cookie Jar- Once Alnwick’s Convent of Mercy, is now an 11-room boutique hotel with playful design, a fire-pit garden, and terrace. Highlights include castle-view rooms in Delft blues, leisurely breakfasts, afternoon teas, and occasional dinners in elegant, welcoming surroundings.

Best B&Bs

• St Valery is a four-room B&B in a Victorian villa near Alnmouth beach, pairing original features—sash windows, fireplaces, roll-top baths—with light-filled, elegant design. Guests enjoy hearty breakfasts in the dining room, plus a cosy lounge with honesty bar for relaxed evenings.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• The closest airport to Alnwick is Newcastle Airport, which is around 30 minutes away by car or taxi, or about an hour an a half away by train — though the closest rail station to Alnwick is Alnmouth, and you will need to take a five minute taxi journey from there. If you’re coming via London, you can catch the train all the way up to Alnmouth in about three and a half hours, travelling direct from Kings Cross, where trains leave every four hours or so.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Summer is the most popular time for visiting Alnwick, but we suspect that’s more to do with the school holidays than the fact that this is a fine-weather destination. Spring and summer are certainly a beautiful time to visit, with Alnwick Gardens, and other gardens and countryside flourishing with blooms. Alnwick’s weather is mild and cool, with sunny days, but plenty of cool, rainy ones too.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include our recommendations for the best places to stay in Northumberland,
• Consider our suggestions for the best pubs-with-rooms in Northumberland,
• You also could explore options in neighbouring towns such as Bamburgh or Berwick-upon-Tweed.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.