Northumberland's prettiest village has been named, and it is not the well-known Bamburgh or Blanchland, but the coastal gem of Alnmouth. According to a list by Love Exploring, Alnmouth secured the top spot at number 45 on its all-England ranking, praised for its golden sandy beaches, grassy dunes, and orange-topped Georgian houses lining the River Aln estuary.
The village is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with conservation efforts protecting its yellow-horned poppies and blue butterflies. Love Exploring highlighted the Alnmouth Village Golf Club, established in 1869 and recognised as the fourth oldest golf club in England, as offering manicured beauty for those who prefer tamed nature.
Alnmouth boasts a tranquil beach where the River Aln meets the North Sea, described by the Good Beach Guide as beautiful and rural, away from the crowds. The area offers three stretches of beach, including the main beach by the car park with WWII-era concrete anti-invasion cubes, an estuary walk, and a dune-backed beach further south. Visitors can also walk north towards the fishing village of Boulmer.
The village serves as an excellent base for the Northumberland Coast Path and the Coast and Castles cycle route. Attractions include the Ferryman's Hut, billed as the smallest museum in Northumberland, and the Schooner Hotel, a 17th-century building reputed to be one of the most haunted in the country, featured on TV's 'Most Haunted'.
Alnmouth offers a variety of dining and drinking options, including restaurants, pubs, cafes, gift shops, galleries, and two golf courses. It is also a convenient base for exploring nearby Warkworth with its castle ruin, Craster known for smoked kippers, and Warkworth Castle.
