Swansfield Stables, Alnwick, Northumberland

Pictures (left to right, top to bottom): View over Alnwick, walking on Hadrian's Wall, Dunstanburgh Castle, a Puffin on the Farne Islands, the Alnwick Garden, and the Cheviot Hills from the old Salters' Road.

Alnwick is a lovely historic Market Town that is ideally situated within easy access of some of Northumberland's most popular attractions and within a short drive of the beautiful heritage coast line with its sandy beaches, castles, walks, golf courses and Areas of Natural Beauty. The town boasts the Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Gardens and the famous Barter Books one of the largest second hand and antiquarian book sellers in the UK. The town holds several events and festivals over the year, has a twice weekly market and a monthly Farmers market. There are several good restaurants and cafes in Alnwick and surrounding areas as well as a variety of of friendly, real ale pubs.

A short drive inland is the magnificent National Trust house at Cragside and the stunning scenery of the Cheviot Hills and along the coast are many pretty villages including Alnmouth, Low Newton and Craster – famous for its kippers. You can visit the castles at Dunstanburgh, Warkworth, Bamburgh and Lindisfarne or from Seahouses you can take a boat ride around the Farne Islands, one of Europe's most important sea bird sanctuaries. A few miles drive south will bring you to Hadrian's Wall and Housteads Fort.