10 Things To Do In Alnmouth

Northumberland Things To Do

by Steph Fox 16th July 2022

One of the smaller towns on the Northumberland coast but one that shouldn’t be overlooked, Alnmouth is just North of Warkworth and a few miles from Alnwick. Located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Alnmouth is just that – a picturesque postcard town with a beautiful sandy beach. Best visited in the summer to make the most of it, here’s some suggestions for things to do in Alnmouth.

Despite being small there are plenty of things to do in Alnmouth, you could easily spend a full day here on the beach alone if the weathers good, or walking the coastal routes or simply sitting in one of the pubs. Find all of these suggestions in more detail below.

Parking in Alnmouth

There are some parking opportunities in the town but some of these are permit only for the locals, so be sure to check the signage. If you’re visiting for the beach then there is a big beach car park, and really this is the best place for anyone to park if you’re there for the day as it’s only a short walk from here to the town.

If you put NE66 2RJ in the sat nav, or just put Alnmouth beach in your phone maps you won’t be able to miss it. You actually drive through the golf course to get to it, and then you have to pay the attendant to get through.

The fee is £3.50 for all day, with cash and preferred contactless payment, and this ticket allows you to come and go all day. There’s a fee of £2 if you arrive after 4pm, and you can’t leave your car here overnight. There is a dedicated section for motorhomes and the fee for them is £10.

You can also get a weekly pass for £10 or a season pass for £25, which might be an idea if you’re up for a week or more and will visit the beach regularly.

Things To Do In Alnmouth

Once you’re parked up, or off the train as Alnmouth has its own station on the main railway line, you’re set to enjoy all the town has to offer. Here’s 12 things to do in Alnmouth to get you started.

Alnmouth Beach

Golden sands line the shore of Alnmouth beach, and it’s a good long stretch so plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. Families tend to stick to the area in front of the car park, setting up blankets and windbreaks for picnics, and there are also some picnic benches on the grass verge too.

Dog walkers can go in either direction where it’s quieter for a walk. On a clear day the beach and views are beautiful, with clear water and clean sand to enjoy. Behind is a view over to the town, and it’s just a five minute coastal walk through the dunes to get there from the beach.

Alnmouth Golf Club

Right by the beach is Alnmouth Village Golf Club, not to be confused with Alnmouth Golf Club just slightly further up the coast and that is actually the 4th oldest in England.

The village golf club is the one you cross to get to the beach car park, It’s a 9 hole course and there were plenty of people sat outside the small clubhouse on benches and picnic benches with a drink to watch the players passing.

Alnmouth Golf Club is also known as Foxton Hall, and is on Golf Monthly magazines list of top 100 hidden gem courses in the UK. The course has spectacular coastal views, and if you’re wanting to do a golf break here there are accommodation options.

Find all the details of Alnmouth golf club on their website here.

Alnmouth Walks

Being notes as an area for natural beauty, Alnmouth is obviously a popular place for a walk, although it can be a bit wild in winter, in the summer it’s lovely. A walk along the coastline on either the beach or the dunes is a popular one, and so is a walk along the beach and then circular around the town.

Alnmouth is part of the St Oswalds Way and North Sea Trail routes, as well as the Coast and Castles cycle route.

Alnmouth Pubs & Inns

There are some fabulous traditional pubs in Alnmouth, serving home made food often with local ingredients and of course fresh Northumberland seafood. They’re ideal to visit after a coastal walk or cycle, or just for lunch or evening bar meal.

A couple to mention are the Red Lion Pub on the main street that runs through Alnmouth, which has a big beer garden out the back – perfect for a cold drink in the sun. They have a pizza oven so you can order your pizza at the bar and collect it in the beer garden to enjoy. Inside is a traditional pub feel, old wood beams and pews, open fires and lots of scatter cushions.

Further along the street is the Whittling House, a country house with guest rooms that are gorgeous to stay in, a restaurant and a bar area which is dog friendly. I’ve had one of the best Sunday lunches here and it’s on my list of best places to eat on the Northumberland coast.

Other pubs and inns in Alnmouth include The Sun Inn, the Hope & Anchor and the 17th Century Schooner Inn.

Visit the Ferryman’s Hut

On Alnmouth Harbour you will find what is dubbed the ‘smallest museum in Northumberland’, and possibly the country. It used to be a shelter for the ferryman who took passengers across the river in the past, but is now filled with local history and memorabilia. It is free to visit and run by one of the locals.

St Cuthbert’s Cross

An old landmark and now popular photo opportunity is St Cuthbert’s Cross on the hill overlooking the town. It’s called Church Hill and is a bit of a trek from the town, but Fabulous North blog has more information on it including a map of how to get there.

Go to Scott’s Deli

A gorgeous deli shop on the main street in Alnmouth is Scott’s, selling all sorts of goodies like bread, cheese, pastries, jams, gin, treats and fruit and veg. They also run a grab and go takeaway, ideal for taking down to the beach with you. It’s even called Scott’s at the Beach, and you can find the menu on their website.

Alnmouth Village Tearooms

If you’d prefer to sit in somewhere for your coffee, then look no further than Alnmouth Village Tearooms, also on the main high street. A traditional British tearoom, it’s very friendly and they serve teacakes, sandwiches, soups and drinks.

Go To The Aln Gift Shop

Along from the village tearoom is the Aln Gift shop, filled with coastal homeware, artwork gifts and decor. It has a very typical seaside theme, complete with pastel coloured windows and doors.

Pop next door for an ice cream when you’re finished browsing too.

Stay At The Schooner Inn – if you dare!

You may have heard of the Schooner Inn in Alnmouth, it’s a Grade II listed building that was once used by smugglers and marauders going between here and the port. A popular place for bad lads of the past, and therefore due to many unsavoury things happening here (murders and suicides), it’s said to be home to at least 60 ghosts, and is the most haunted hotels in Britain.

It even featured on Most Haunted on TV, but if you want to find out more about it including the events that are said to have happened in certain rooms, have a read about it on hauntedrooms.co.uk.

You won’t be disappointed with your day out if you’re ticking off some of these things to do in Alnmouth, especially if the weather is good and you can enjoy a walk and the beach. If not, it’s worth visiting for some of these places to eat such as the Red Lion for a bar meal, or the Whittling House for Sunday lunch. Being so close to Alnwick, Warkworth and Amble, if you’re staying in Alnmouth there are many other things to do, enjoy and places to visit in these areas too. I’ve linked blogs on these areas below.