A Northumberland village known for its natural beauty and iconic colourful houses has been named one of the UK’s “most stylish places” to live.
Even if you’ve never visited Alnmouth, chances are you have seen it on television as the fictional village of Mardle in the ITV crime drama ‘Vera’.
But Alnmouth is a star in its own right, thanks to its reputation as one of the area’s hidden gems.
Along the River Aln are a string of the village’s famed pastel-coloured houses, and where the river meets the North Sea, you will find a range of diverse bird and wildlife species and a tranquil beach.
It is no surprise to hear that Alnmouth is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The village has been featured in a list of the 60 ‘most stylish’ places to live in the UK by the online store Furniture Box.
It has also appeared in an episode of Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes and was named on the Sunday Times list of the best places to live in the UK in 2021.
Visitors are encouraged to visit The Ferryman’s Hut in the village’s harbour, the smallest museum in the county. If art is more your thing, you could head to the Old School Gallery and relax with a coffee.
Along Alnmouth High Street are coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, and gift shops. The nearby Alnmouth Golf Club is in Foxton Bay. Established in 1869, it is England’s fourth oldest golf club and offers views of Coquet Island.
The beach, which is dog-friendly, is widely popular with visitors and is split into three sections within Alnmouth Bay. For those who love adventure, you can walk St. Oswald’s Way and the Northumberland Coast Path or cycle on the Coast and Castle’s cycle route.
Alnmouth has its own train station, offering a scenic view of its colourful houses as you pull into the village. You can head to Berwick-upon-Tweed from the station or take a train south to Newcastle for a day trip.
Nearby Alnwick is known for its castle, which appeared in the Harry Potter films. You could also head to the Alnwick Garden and take in the site of 4000 different plants, its Poison Garden, and its seasonal cherry orchard.
Visitors can take a short walk through the town’s cobbled streets and view the archway of Bondgate Tower – the only remaining chunk of the town walls.
The Alnwick farmers market is held in the town square on the last Friday of every month, perfect for pottering around and sampling local goods.
