The name of the town of ALNWICK comes from the Anglo Saxon, and means settlement on the clear water.  The water is the River Aln, which passes the town on its northern edge on its way to the sea at Alnmouth.

Alnwick is a typical stone-built Northumbrian town, with a castle which has dominated the northern boundary since mediaeval times. 

The castle is the seat of the Duke of Northumberland and is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in England, after Windsor. It was restored by Robert Adam in the mid 18th Century and further restored in the 19th Century by Galvin.  Work to the panelled interior was executed by Italian and local craftsmen.  It is furnished with many antique items, oil paintings, china, books and militaria.  It is open to the public.   The castle grounds were laid out to a design by Capability Brown.

The current project, which is attracting world-wide interest, is the restoration of an 18th Century Italian Garden in the castle grounds.  More information can be found on www.alnwickgarden.com

The Town itself is formed on a triangular plan surrounding the Market Place with its 18th Century Town Hall and 19th Century Assembly Rooms.  Lanes lead from the centre along the lines of the old burgage plots to the old town boundaries.