The Best Things to Do in Alnmouth

My memories of Alnmouth go back decades, to when we spent my childhood summers here.  Beach holidays in Northumberland were amazing.  We lived in Blyth at the time.  And Alnmouth was and is picture postcard perfect.  The houses that run alongside the River Aln, down to where it meets the North Sea are delightful.  The sand dunes are perfect here for wildlife spotting, the beach for lazy days and there is are incredible amount of things to do in Alnmouth these days.  The Alnmouth of my childhood is a distant memory, and she’s really a rather cosmopolitan spot these days with great eateries, a free museum, and some particularly interesting things to see.

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There’s golf here – the fourth oldest club in England has stunning views, there’s history in the smallest museum in Northumberland, dog-friendly beaches and you’re right on the coastal path and the Coast and Castles cycle route too.  Your problem isn’t finding things to do, it’s staying long enough to fit it all in!

The Best Things to Do in Alnmouth

We’ll start with what there is to do in Alnmouth itself, and then get you out into the countryside (and coast) roundabout Alnmouth.

Spend time on the beach in Alnmouth.

The beach here is glorious, running along the edge of Alnmouth Bay, and also into the estuary of the River Aln.  The beach is split really into three sections, one to the northeast of the village, then the bit of beach that is really more river beach than sea beach, and then there’s Rose Sands on the opposite side of the river.  There’s a large free public car park right by the beach, so if you’re not staying here, it’s easy to get parked, although if you’re visiting in the height of summer, then you’ll need to get here early.

The beach on the other side of the river (you’ll see it marked on Google Maps as Rose Sands) is much quieter – as it’s generally a little harder to get to.  It’s wilder. 

It is NOT recommended to swim here at Alnmouth, especially by the river.  There are strong currents and dangerous rip tides at the estuary mouth.  Be specifically away if you have dogs that like swimming as it’s not a good idea to let them in the water at this point.

Visit the Ferryman’s Hut in Alnmouth

Alnmouth’s Ferryman’s Hut is the smallest museum in Northumberland.  Alnmouth Parish Council believes that it’s the smallest museum in England.  The hut measures 9 feet x 7 feet (2.7 metres x 2.1 metres).  Why not visit and see what you think?  The Ferryman’s Hut is open every day and it’s free too.   For yes, there used to be a ferry that ran backward and forwards across the River Aln.  Ferrymen would row passengers, but this stopped in the 1960s.  The hut is manned by locals, and it’s always worth stopping for a chat as you peruse the displays of photos and the history of the service.    I’ve marked the Ferryman’s Hut on the map.

Visit Alnmouth’s Northumberland Sculpture

You’ll need to go for a walk to see the Northumberland Sculpture in Alnmouth, but not far and the views are worth it.  The sculpture was created in stone by Luke Bachelor and is based on a poem by a local woman, Judith Hill, written in 2007.  Judith died in 2019 and this was commissioned by her children.

If you can’t make it to the sculpture, then you can read about it here.

Visit Trig Point 5127 at Alnmouth

Trigpoints are the commonly used name for “Triangulation Pillars”.  These are concrete pillars that were originally used by the Ordnance Survey to map out and determine the size and shape of the country.  Trigpoints are usually on high points on the landscape so that there is a clear line of sight to the next trigpoint.    The major project of 1936 to map out the country led to the fabulous mapping that we now have from the Ordnance Survey.   There’s LOADS more on Trigpoints here.

So why should you come up here?  Well, it’s a magnificent view for a start, this Trigpoint is located at the Night Fold Field, and on a day with good weather the view is well, as I said, magnificent.

Check out the Alnmouth Barometer

The Alnmouth barometer was given to Alnmouth Coastguards by the Duke of Northumberland in 1860.  It was housed in the Coastguard Station (now the home of the club steward of the Alnmouth Golf Club.).

You can read more about this barometer (and the others that were used up and down the coast) here.

By 1909 it was transferred to the cottage at the end of Argyle Street, which was the then Village Police Office, owned by the Duke of Northumberland. The window that you can see the barometer in, was built then to house the barometer and so it stayed.  You’ll find it opposite the end of Argyle Street in Alnmouth.  I’ve marked it on the map for you.

Play Bridge, Go Barn Darning, Take a Yoga Class in Alnmouth

If you read my potted history of Alnmouth then you’ll know that at its peak there were 16 granaries in the village.  One of those was converted into what is now, Hindmarsh Hall.  It was converted, first into a church and then (once the church was built) into a kind of Town Hall.  Today it’s the Hindmarsh Hall, having been bought from Northumberland Estates by Leonard Hindmarsh, in 1935.  He refurbished the hall and gave it to the village.

The hall is now used as a meeting place, a place to stage events, classes, dances, and festivals.  No matter when you visit Alnmouth you’ll find something on at the Hall.  Here are the schedules, and details of what’s on at Alnmouth’s Hindmarsh Hall.

St Cuthbert’s Cross (above Rose Sands) & Church Hill

If you look out across the estuary from Alnmouth, literally directly across from the village you’ll see a stone cross on top of a hill.  The hill is known as Church Hill.  The cross is known as St Cuthbert’s Cross.  It’s rumoured that this was where St Cuthbert agreed to become the Bishop of Lindisfarne.

While you’re up here you should check out the ruined chapel.  It dates from 1870 and was built as part of a plan to re-open the cemetery on Church Hill. This was where the old parish church was before it was destroyed in the storm of 1806 which also changed the course of the river.

Go Golfing in Alnmouth

The Golf Club in Alnmouth is the oldest 9-hole links course in England.  It was established in 1869 and designed by Mungo Park, the winner of the 1874 Open Championship at Musselburgh.  Mungo Park became the club’s first professional and greenkeeper.  Although it’s only a 9-hole course, there are multiple tees so it can be played as an 18-hole course.

The best views on the course?  From the seventh tee – you’ll see Alnmouth Bay and Coquet Island in the distance.  And the bracing wind off the North Sea, yes, that’s one of the challenges of playing here.

Go for a walk around Alnmouth.

This is a spectacular part of the world in which to go for a walk.    Take a circular walk – this one is 8 miles – and combines countryside and seaside views and terrain.  Or perhaps take on part of the Northumberland Coastal Path – you’re right in the middle of Stage 2 of the walk here in Alnmouth.

You can hike the 2 miles to St Cuthbert’s Cross across the estuary, or you can walk part (or all) of the St Oswald’s Way – the 97-mile route from Holy Island to Heavenfield. (there are more details on St Oswald’s Way here)

Go fishing from the beach in Alnmouth.

You can fish from the beach in Alnmouth without a licence.  In summer you’ll find sea trout and salmon here.  You can also fish downstream of the 1864 Duchess Bridge across the River Aln. The fishing upstream of this belongs to Alnwick Anglers. If you want to fish this part of the river then you’ll need to get a daily, weekly, or annual pass from Aln Angling at Hardy Fishing Tackle showroom at 30 Bondgate Within, Alnwick.  You can read more about fishing on the beach and river here.

Visit Alnmouth’s Old School Gallery

If you’d like to see local art, or perhaps take some home with you, then head to the Old School Gallery.  There’s open-air pizza available here too during the summer weekends as well as a café that’s open year round.  I love the maps of Northumberland, which make a great souvenir to take home, regardless of where you live!

Visit the Alnmouth Library – it’s a cutey.

There are two Alnmouth libraries.  Kind of.  The first is right here in the centre of the village.  Inside the red telephone box.   It’s directly opposite 53 Northumberland Street.  It’s an honesty library.  So take a book, leave a book, and all that.  Pick up leaflets about what’s going on in Alnmouth and the area.

The second library in Alnmouth is part of a scheme from Enable Arts that was started during the COVID lockdowns.   Again it’s another honesty library idea – take a book, leave a book.  Only this time there is a “chain” of these libraries. The libraries – hosted in tiny, wooden, black huts with a pitched roof – are found from Berwick upon Tweed in the North down to Warkworth.   I’ve marked on the map where you can find the one in Alnmouth, but you can also read more about Books by the Sea here.

Visit some of Northumberland’s prettiest villages from Alnmouth

Northumberland has some stunning villages and with this glorious coastline, I’ve detailed the best and prettiest seaside villages to visit.  So make your base in Alnmouth and head out to see the best of the rest.  My guide is here.

Visit Alnwick for the Day from Alnmouth

Either take the X18 or the X20 bus from Alnmouth to Alnwick – the bus takes less than 15-minutes for its journey into Alnwick.  Or drive and spend the day in the famous market town.  Explore Barter Books, visit the Castle, and explore the weekly markets and farmers markets – there’s more on what to do in Alnwick in my guide here.

A Brief History of Alnmouth

The village of Alnmouth as we know it today, was established in 1152 by William de Vesci (the name gives it away, he was indeed an Anglo-Norman lord).  His son Eustance was granted permission to establish a port and a fish market in Alnmouth on Wednesdays.  Prior to this it was likely that some residents were here during the Mesolithic period the Bronze Age and also possibly the Iron Age.  While there have been no Roman ruins found here it seems likely that the river was used, as Alaunus and Alauna were referenced as rivers and place names by Ptolemy and Ravenna Cosmography. 

The Scots attacked in 1336, and the village population decreased in numbers then and yet further in 1348 (it was the Black Death time).  Alnmouth was described in 1597 as depeopled and a survey of 1614 described it as “in great ruin and decay”. 

The port was prosperous in the 18^th century, with grain being a notable export, and with guano being imported from Peru.  Coal, eggs, pork, and pickled salmon for London were big exports of the time as well as wool heading to Yorkshire for the woollen industry.  Blue slate from Scotland and timber from both Scandinavia and Holland used the port and the trade in grain meant that there were 16 granaries in the village at one time (some were lost and some converted into houses).

The port also gave rise to the village as an area for shipbuilding, with its prosperity peaking around 1750, with all the associated reputations that follow such places, John Wesley described Alnmouth as “a small sea-port town, famous for all kinds of wickedness“.  Alnmouth was even attacked in 1779 by John Paul Jones, the American privateer, during the War of Independence (he fired his cannon at the church!).

A violent storm on Christmas Day 1806 seems to have led to the decline of the port.  The storm led to the breach of the Church Hill sandbank and diverted the river from a curving meander to a more direct line into the sea.

Where to Stay in Alnmouth

There’s a good choice of places to stay in Alnmouth from hotels, and B&Bs to an excellent selection of holiday lets. 

The best places to stay in Alnmouth are detailed here.

• Best for couples:   The Summer House
• Best for families:  Riverside, Alnmouth
• Best for a one night stay:  The Red Lion, Alnmouth

Where to Eat in Alnmouth

From cosy local pubs to rather contemporary restaurants and lovely delis you’ve got a lot of choice here in Alnmouth when it comes to eating out. 

Head to Scotts of Alnmouth for a deli that features local cheeses, gins, and baked goods.    The Sun Inn and the Red Lion have good local ales and home-cooked meals.   Head to the Whittingly House or the Hope and Anchor Hotel for dinner – the Italian restaurant at the Hope and Anchor is very popular, especially with its wood-fired pizza oven. Go to Bistro 23 – it’s a tea room during the day and opens on select evenings for, well a Bistro menu.    The Spice Galleon has takeaway fish and chips and there’s an eat-in and takeaway Indian restaurant there too.

Map of Things to Do in Alnmouth

You can see the full map of things to do in Alnmouth here.

How to Get to Alnmouth

Just 4 miles away from Alnwick, Alnmouth has the benefits of the beach AND a train station.  So it’s very easy to get here by public transport.

Traveling by Rail to Alnmouth

The train station is called Alnmouth, but the station is just a mile away and it’s on the East Coast Main Line.  It’s an EASY walk from Alnmouth train station to the village.  There are buses that connect the train station to the village and taxis are also available.  You can check train ticket prices and options here.

Traveling by Bus to Alnmouth

Buses are operated in the area by both Arriva (Alnmouth is connected on the X18 and the X20) and the Borders bus services.  Click the links to find the latest timetable.

If you’re taking a coach from say London, then you can go straight to Alnmouth on National Express (tickets here) as there’s one bus a day that does this route.

Traveling by Car to Alnmouth

From the south, head out of Newcastle and up the A1, the quickest way is to head up to Alnwick, and then take the A1068 to the right, it’s just four miles from the turn-off and well-signposted.

From the North, come down from Berwick Upon Tweed, and exit at Alnwick, again follow the A1068 to Alnmouth.

It will take about 2 hours driving from Edinburgh, or about 2.5 hours from the Lake District.

Final Words on the Best Things to Do in Alnmouth

There’s a lot going on for locals and visitors in Alnmouth these days – some great outdoor activities, and some fabulous places to explore inside too.  The seaside village is perfect for a break (both short and long), and easy to get to, with some lively and lovely places to stay.  Come on to Alnmouth you’ll wonder why it took you so long to get here!

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