There has been a market held within Alnwick’s cobbled central square for over 600 years, and for centuries the town has been an important centre for trade thanks to its position on the Great North Road between London and Edinburgh. Alongside its tremendous castle, world-class gardens and attractive surrounding parkland, there is plenty of choice for hungry visitors.
If you’re looking to kick back and watch the world go by, Alnwick’s casual cafés more than deliver; opposite the market square, Oat & Olive’s contemporary style and pavement seating suggests a European vibe alongside a menu of all-day brunch and tempting small plates perfect for afternoon grazing. On pedestrianised Narrowgate, The Rolling Pin’s menu of toasties and cabinet of cakes will tempt you through their bright purple doors; if scones are on your mind, Strawberry Lounge has a long list of specialty flavours; while neighbouring Grannies is a traditional tea room where drinks are served in pretty bone china cups and you can tuck into homemade quiche, soups and sandwiches. If you still need a sweet hit, the candyfloss pink Alnwick Ice Cream Parlour serves up a colourful array of Ciccarelli flavours; while in the courtyard off the market square, Coquet Confectioners has a nostalgic selection of old-fashioned sweets in jars, and nearby Chocolate Spa specialises in gorgeous handmade chocolates and hot drinks.
Alnwick Market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning, and you’ll find local artisanal food and drink stalls alongside crafts and street food. Around the edges of the market place there are a plethora of independent businesses offering high-quality produce; chief among them are The Cheese Room at the Alnwick Deli which stocks over 60 cheeses, with an entire fridge dedicated to local varieties, plus cured meats, chutneys and other produce perfect for a picnic; wash it all down with a local craft beer or spirit from Taste of Northumbria, they have a particularly great selection of gin, whisky and locally-made Alnwick Rum and Lindisfarne Mead (they also do tastings). Watch the comings and goings of the market square with a cake and cuppa from Northern Angels, or a ploughman’s lunch from Melvyn’s Coffee House next door; there’s meatier fare at neighbouring Pig In Muck, where charcuterie boards are paired with craft beer; while barbecue dishes and great value lunch specials are on offer at Efe’s Turkish Grill.
Elsewhere, relaxed Hardy’s Bistro in the White Swan hotel has a great menu of classic British cooking, from fish and chips to pies and sandwiches; and for classic pub grub, The Dirty Bottles’ menu features shepherd’s pie, scampi, salads and steaks. An elevated gastropub menu at Adam & Eve takes a modern European approach, with dishes like moules frites and haggis bon bons; while at the Bailiffgate Hotel, Motte & Bailey’s locally focused menus feature Northumberland’s excellent produce (they also do a great Sunday lunch!), and there’s a similarly regional outlook at boutique hotel The Cookie Jar, where you’ll find local mussels and lamb alongside smart bistro-style dishes. For a special meal, the 14-course tasting menu at Sonnet can’t be beaten and represents some of the finest cooking you’ll find in the area, with seasonal menus making the most of local ingredients.
If you’re looking for perfect produce to take home, Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall in Willowburn Retail Park just out of town specialises in award-winning butchery, pies, deli and speciality foods.
