Alnwick (pronounced "Annick") is a small market town in Northumberland, England. It serves as the administrative centre for the Alnwick district, and had a population of 7,100 at the time of the 2001 census.
Overview
According to Country Life, October 2002, the "historic county town of Northumberland and seat of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick is the most picturesque market town in Northumberland, and the best place to live in Britain".
Set in the heart of the county of Northumberland, the bustling market town of Alnwick dates back to approximately 600 AD.
Over the centuries Alnwick has thrived as an agricultural centre and as a staging post on the Great North Road between Edinburgh and London. The fabric of the town has changed little and still retains much of its original character.
Features
The town's greatest building is Alnwick Castle, the home of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, and site of the Alnwick Garden.
A Shrove Tuesday football match is played on the fields below the castle between the parishes of St. Paul and St. Michaels. The ball is fetched from Alnwick Castle in procession, preceded by the Duke of Northumberland's piper. The game is won by whichever team is first to score 3 "hales" or goals.
The Alnwick playhouse is a multi-purpose arts centre, which stages an exciting programme of theatre, dance, music, cinema, and visual arts exhibitions.
Major events in the Alnwick town calendar include:
- Alnwick Fayre, staged in the summer as a costumed re-enactment of a mediaeval fair in which residents of the town dress up in authentic costumes
- the Alnwick International Music Festival
- the Alnwick Castle Tournament – a medieval jousting spectacular in the grounds of Alnwick Castle.
In addition to the new (in 2003) Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre situated on the edge of Alnwick town centre, the district boasts a wealth of sporting and leisure facilities/opportunities, ranging from football, cricket, rugby, rambling, rock climbing, water sports, cycling and horse riding. The golf enthusiast can find thirteen golf courses within 30 minutes drive of Alnwick town.
Architectural features other than the castle include:
- The Hotspur Tower, part of the remains of the ancient town wall
- the Tenantry Column - much in the style of Nelson's Column, 83 feet tall and topped by the Percy Lion, symbol of the Percy family. The column, designed by Charles Harper, was erected for Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland in 1816.
- Brizlee Tower, a Grade 1 listed folly tower set atop a hill in Hulne Park, the Duke's walled estate, designed by Robert Adam in 1777 and erected in 1781 for Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland.
- The Pinfold, a stone circular structure within the centre of the town, built to imprison stray cattle.
Commerce & Industry
Formerly a largely rural and agrarian community, the town now lies well within the "travel to work" radius of Morpeth and Newcastle Upon Tyne and has a sizeable commuter population. Some major or noteworthy employers in the town include:
- House of Hardy, world-renowned makers of fly-fishing tackle.
- Greys of Alnwick, also world-renowned makers of fly-fishing tackle!
- Northumberland Estates, which manages the Duke of Northumberland's agricultural, forestry and property interests.
- Barter Books, one of the largest second-hand book shops in England, set in the town's former railway station.
- Sanofi Alnwick Research Centre, a very large research and testing centre owned by the Sanofi pharmaceutical company.
- Alnwick District Council.
Communications
Road
Alnwick town lies adjacent to the A1, the main national north/south trunk road, providing easy access to Newcastle upon Tyne (30 miles south) and to the Scottish capital Edinburgh (80 miles north).
Rail
The main East Coast railway link between Edinburgh (journey time approximately 1:10) and London (journey time approximately 3:45) runs via the nearby Alnmouth for Alnwick Station, with a weekday service of 14 trains per day north to Edinburgh and 11 trains per day south to London.
Air
Newcastle Airport lies around 45 minutes drive-time away, and provides 18 daily flights to London (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted), with regular flights to other UK centres. The airport also operates regular flights to many European destinations.
Geography
Alnwick lies at 55°25′00″N 01°42′00″W / 55.41667°N 1.70000°W (55.4167, -1.7000)1. The River Aln forms its northern boundary.