After our visit to the Farne Islands we decided to explore more of Northumberland starting with Alnwick.
Day 5: 13th May 2025 Alnwick, Northumberland
From my Photographing Northumberland book (page 166) we chose to go to Barter Books – and we were not disappointed !
The converted railway station is a mecca for books.
Of course we tried the cafe. The bookshop was not very busy so we didn’t have to queue for a table.
This is a very special poster. Found by curators at the bookshop it is the original poster prepared in the Second World War. It is fascinating that the poster was never used then but now has spawned hundreds of versions and derivatives.
The store even has a small railway running over the bookshelves.
From Barter Books we walked through the town towards the castle.
This is the statue of Sir Henry Percy nicknamed Hotspur that we passed on our way to the castle.
Once at Alnwick Castle, originally owned by the Percy family, we stopped to check the entrance fees ( page 150 in my book). It was over £21 per adult and this did not include entrance to Alnwick Gardens!
We walked back to our car around the side of the castle. Note the berms of soil and brush that obscure the views of the castle from the car park!
13th May 2025: Craster, Northumberland
We passed the gate guardian of RAF Boulmer. The aircraft is not at the main gate and is clearly not in exactly the best place to photograph. The Phantom was looking very tired and in need of lots of TLC.
In Craster we sat outside The Jolly Fisherman to have our lunch.
From the beer garden at the back of the pub we had wonderful views out to sea and to our side the small harbour. In the distance we could see Dunstanburgh Castle.
Distant views of Dunstanburgh Castle (Page 130).
The Craster Smoke House for some smoked kippers.
Back at the house in Bamburgh I continued my sampling of the low alcoholic beer from the shop in Seahouses – this one from Anarchy Brew Co. was excellent.
After all our travels the next day was declared a rest day.