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Original poster

Does anyone know anything about Alnwick in Northumbria?

36 replies

earlgrey · 14/07/2006 18:05

In particular, how far away from it we'd have to drive to get to a supermarket that's not a co-op or a Safeway? TIA.

OP posts:
alexsmum · 14/07/2006 18:06

safeway is no more-they were bought out by morrisons.no idea about the supermarkets but alnwick is lovely -really nice

popsycal · 14/07/2006 18:17

there is a morrisons
an iceland
both right in the centre....if you want an asda, it is about a 25 minute drive into ashington or blyth
know alnwick very well so ask if you need any more info

Original poster
earlgrey · 15/07/2006 21:19

Thank you! We're actually going to be staying in Longhoughton, H booked it, and it doesn't seem to have a lot to recommend it. If you could prove me wrong on any points (apart from, apparently, it being a mile from the beach - I can just see my two managing that one!) please let me know! TIA XXX EG

Oh, and he's booked our Springer Spaniel in too - and we're not allowed to leave him for any moment alone in the house.

Aaaaaaaaagh!!!!

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Janos · 16/07/2006 10:31

Alnwick itself is lovely earlgrey, a beautiful market town.

There are lots of fantastic beaches and places to visit nearby too, like Bamburgh Castle, Seahouses, Beadnell (excellent for kids).

Bet you will all have a great time

nikkie · 16/07/2006 20:10

Alnwick castle and gardens are well worth a visit though they are expensive and you have to pay separatly for them.

popsycal · 16/07/2006 20:12

if you are totally desperate ther is a soft play called castle mania justoutside of amble......
good to spend a few hour with the kids.
longhorton may be nearer the asdasa....

why not order online before you go and get them to deliver to where you are staying?

Original poster
earlgrey · 16/07/2006 21:51

Popsy, mine are probably too old for soft play areas now (6 and 7) but ...

a) The getting them to deliver it stuff is a FANTASTIC idea

b) Why didn't I think of that?

c) This is one of the reasons I love MN.

Thank you!!! And if you can think of anything else we can do for two weeks there, please let me know. xx

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Ellbell · 16/07/2006 21:58

Alwick castle gardens are brilliant. The tree house alone is worth the entry fee. Take a change of clothes, because there is a good chance of the kids getting wet in the fountains. We didn't bother with the castle (my dds are 4 and 6) but it's meant to be good too, but don't miss the gardens, whatever you do. (Dogs aren't allowed in the gardens, but there are also woodland walks in the estate which they are allowed on.)

Do you have an indoor kennel (cage) for your dog? We have found that most owners of holiday houses don't mind the dog being left if it's in a cage (that sounds horrible, I hope you know the kind of thing I mean). They are just worried about them trashing the place while you're out.

Holy island is worth a visit too, and the beaches around the whole area are superb.

chatee · 16/07/2006 22:16

Seahouses- we were there in june with dd(age 5 and has cerebral palsy-walking difficulties)and ds(age2)and would highly reccomend a trip out on a boat to the Farne Islands-we did the 2.5 hr trip (including 1 hour on the island of Inner Farne)and you see the most amazing sea birds, seals and lighthouses- both my two still talk about it now....and we came back to dry land and had the most yummy fish and chips

Original poster
earlgrey · 17/07/2006 11:55

Thanks so much for all of this. Popsy, which supermarket would I contact for internet delivery? Does Morrisons do them?

Ellbell, I know exactly what you mean, and think it's a really good idea. Max wouldn't be in it for any great length of time, but I would be worried about him trashing the place, especially as he was susceptible to it when he was young, and especially as he'll be in a strange enviornment. I'm just wondering how you get two adults, two children, a dog and all their baggage, plus an indoor kennel, into a car!

OP posts:
popsycal · 17/07/2006 19:57

I owuld contact asda....
their nearest store is probably about 12 miles away.....
not sure if morrisons deliver as I don't use them much when at home....will check for you then will come back with some suggestions....

btw castle mania will probably be fine for your kids - especially the youngest - huge big place

popsycal · 17/07/2006 19:57

looks like they dont deliver

popsycal · 17/07/2006 20:01

right i have just entered the postcode of longhoghton first school in a random attempt to see whether asda deliver and it appears that they do not.....still fnding for you

popsycal · 17/07/2006 20:03

right this is a very very bizarre suggestion...but

dh's family (relatives) have a house in alnwick....we go there regualrly
it is right by morrisons.....
if you would like your shoppping to be delivered there and we can be there to get it then you could collect it from us, that is fine....

popsycal · 17/07/2006 20:06

actually it might be that i entered a postcode for a 'commercial instiution' as tescos just told me....
try the asda site ad enter the postcode of your property

Ellbell · 17/07/2006 20:17

earlgrey - you need a roof box (and/or a bigger car! ) I don't know where you're travelling from, but I am about 2 miles off the M1 and could lend you a dog cage (big enough for a springer - my sister has used it for hers, and he's a big leggy working-type Springer) if you want to borrow it.

2Happy · 17/07/2006 20:32

Supermarkets might not deliver to Longhoughton, none deliver to us and we're not a million miles away from Alnwick. How are you getting there? If you're driving you could stop at the big Tesco at Kingston Park the north side of Newcastle.
I haven't been to Alnwick castle & garden since the garden first opened but I've heard it's even better now. Your kids are probably old enough for the treehouse (which is a no-no if you have a pushchair). Holy Island is OK, but check the tides out before you go, many a grockle gets stranded on the causeway!
If you have transport, Cheswick is by far the best beach in the area, with amazing dunes and it's normally much quieter than Bamburgh beach. Last time I went to Bamburgh castle it was crap, but I guess it may have improved since. There's Dunstanborough castle too near Seahouses if you like ruined castles.
Hope any of that helps!

popsycal · 17/07/2006 20:41

if you are driving on the a1068 - the old coastal route, the asda is literally just off that road...
looks like many places dont deliver.
actually morrisons at alnwick may be your best bet after you have unpacked.....not far from where you are staying

Original poster
earlgrey · 18/07/2006 06:32

Just got to read this and I'm absolutely bowled over by your offers. Ellbell, we'll be travelling from Oxford - my navigation skills are zero - would we be anywhere near or detour-worthy? 'Cos that would be really helpful. Thank you so much.

Popsy, thank you so much too. I'll 'phone the agent this morning and get the house postcode. But, if it's really okay, that would be soooo helpful. It may be that we arrive in time to catch a supermarket that's still open, but I doubt it. Thank you so much - even if it's just a few basics it would save us so much hassle with tired dds (who, incidentally, hate supermarkets at the best of times)

Thanks too to all of your suggestions of places to visit. One of last years highpoints in dds interest in where we were staying was the Pencil Museum in Keswick. They thought it completely rank. S'good to have first hand experience of what's worth seeing and what's not.

XXX

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Ellbell · 18/07/2006 11:19

earlgrey... I am guessing that from Oxford you'll go up the A43 and onto the M1 and thence to the A1. (Used to live in Reading before we moved here, so have done that trip tons of times.)

When are you going?

If you want to borrow the cage CAT me and I'll send you directions.

Legacy · 18/07/2006 11:29

If you search 'North Northumberland' you will get lots of links. We holidayed in beadnell a couple of years ago and it was fab - a real 'family holiday' without too much fabricated commercialism (e.g. aqua parks / them parks etc)

Trip to Farne Islands a must
Bamburgh castle
Lindisfarne (Holy Island) - not much there, but the excitement/threat of getting stuck by the tides is brilliant
Lots of lovely coastal walks and beaches
Beaches are fab and unspolit

If you can get the kids interested in e.g. castles,knights, sea landscapes/ features (my DS(6)) is fascinated by cliffs and erosion etc!), flowers, birds etc then you will find lots to do.

And although it is fairly shabby, the amusements & fish & chip shops ( e.g. Seahouse) still hold a certain interest for kids I find!

niceglasses · 18/07/2006 11:32

Also try Newton by the Sea. Nothing there except a fabulous bay and a lovely pub serving good food, a grass square where the kids can play with direct access onto beach. Its ace. Park up the road a bit as no cars allowed (N Trust)

Also Craster worth a look

Barter Books in Alnwick.

Have fun

Original poster
earlgrey · 18/07/2006 12:52

OMG - just 'phoned the company and it seems that no-one at all delivers food it that area. She laughed at the idea, and also my pronunciation of Alnwick

Ellbell, if it's okay with you I will CAT you, just as soon as I've OK'd the roofbox with H. I think we're going to need one! Thanks so much XX

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Original poster
earlgrey · 18/07/2006 13:32

I can see a new book in the making:

Travel with MN

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2Happy · 18/07/2006 15:51

Oooh, tell me you didn't pronounce the L and the W...! If you're going up the A1 the Kingston Park Tesco would be quite handy and it's 24hrs (except sundays). It's also handily near a mothercareworld, and perilously close to an M&S food dept (well, you are on holiday, you know!).
Have you thought of popping to Berwick? It has Elizabethan ramparts with cannons which kids might enjoy, and there's the Swan Leisure centre with swimming pool if the weather's no good for beaches.