Howick Hall was the home of Earl Grey, former prime minister and tea supremo. Although the hall is closed, the gardens are open to the public and are perfect for a wander in late spring. They include wild flower meadows, the woodland garden, rockery, herbaceous borders and bog garden. After a pot of Earl Grey tea in the old Ballroom, we like to finish by taking 'The Long Walk' through the arboretum which leads down to the beautiful Northumberland shore.

Howick Hall Gardens, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3LB
www.howickhallgardens.org
+44(001665 577285
Google map: bit.ly/kwvg5o

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A truely magical place!
Imaginative planting, sculptures, futuristic water features, poison garden, giant tree house with cafe serving delicious food.
If that isn't enough, you can combine your visit with a trip to "Hogwarts" castle next door.

Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1YU
+44(0)1665 511 350
www.alnwickgarden.com/
Google map: bit.ly/kD29CK

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At the Alnwick Garden you can sway across the wooden bridge to Britain's largest treehouse; find out how medieval monks purged themselves on bulbs in the poison garden; admire the thousands of matching purple tulips growing beneath the cherry blossom; get enjoyably soaked by the water sculptures, and still have time to pop back to the castle where you might meet Hagrid and Dumbledore. Tickets last for, and happily fill, two consecutive days and allow you back into Alnwick town for lunch if you don't want to eat in the garden's own restaurant.

www.alnwickgarden.com
+44(0)1665 511350
The Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1YU
Google map: bit.ly/mIBOgS

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A one bedroom B&B at Brownieside near Alnick, Northumberland.
A large comfortable bed,a whirlpool bath, great breakfasts and and hosts who go that extra mile-who else would allow you to borrow their SatNav to help you find the isolated inn you have chosen for supper?

www.birdsongcottage.co.uk/
Birdsong Cottage, Brownieside, Alnwick, Northumberland NE67 5HW
+44(0)1665 579362
Google map: bit.ly/eR4ryY

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One of the largest bookshops in Britain and most creative. You can browse endlessly in the several rooms, drink coffee in the 'waiting rooms', watch the blazing fire,admire the art work, stare at the miniature train as it weaves around the top of the shelves and immerse yourself in the quarter of a million second hand books-all lovingly catergorised and individually priced. Atmospheric music harmoniously enhances your receptivity to the surrounding feast of literature. The music section is particularly varied-with LPs in excellent condition. The children's section is vast - especially the annuals - a must for every reminiscant adult over 30! The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked muffins lingers heavily in the air. It's open seven days a week 9-5pm(7pm on Thursdays) but be warned if you are a real book lover you will have to be dragged out because it's that good!!

Alnwick Station, Wagon Way Road
Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2NP
+44(0)1665 604 888
www.barterbooks.co.uk
Google map: bit.ly/bJ6vrZ

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A disused railway station converted into a large-scale bookshop, set against a backdrop of Northumbrian landscape. Admid a maze of bookshelves and a model railway, you can truly disappear into whatever plot line, biography or non-fiction text you happen to be reading. With its stunning interior and authentic waiting room and cafe, you could spend forever browsing through its unique library of editions varying from victorian to present day: it is by far the best bookshop in Britain.

www.barterbooks.co.uk/
Alnwick Station, Northumberland, NE66 2NP, England
+44(0)1665 604888
Google map: bit.ly/bxJ07V

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Barter Books in the handsome old Victorian railway station in Alnwick.
There's a great selection of secondhand books here set in an amazing
building! Some people visit just for the historical tour of the building. Walk into the shop through the old ticket office, onto the
main platform to browse the books and enjoy the open fires in winter, take time out to drink coffee and sample the newspapers in the old waiting room. Don't forget to look up at the writer's mural in the main room - thirty-three life-size figures of famous writers looking down on you from their writer's gallery.

www.barterbooks.co.uk/
Alnwick Station, Northumberland, NE66 2NP, England
+44(0)1665 604888

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It is amazing how exposed it is walking along the coast up north and I am always taken by surprise when I get up there.

Along the Northumbrian coast.

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I stayed at this seaside cottage in Boulmer, Northumberland last year. There's a pub with good sea food down the road and the beaches are empty. My favorite day? Crab sandwiches at Craster followed by a walk along the coast to Dunstanburgh castle. Bliss.

www.beachholidaycottage.com
Near Alnwick in Northumberland

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