Must house millions of books both old and newish, vinyl records etc. Built inside an old train station, model trains wind their way through the bookshelves, and you can even buy a replica of the wellknown keep calm and carry on poster, which was discovered here. The best bookstores dont just sell a lot of books, they honor literary culture itself. The bookshop was established in 1991 and occupies a large percentage of the old alnwick railway station. There are 3 ways to get from edinburgh to alnwick by bus, train or car. Tragic though it is that the branch line no longer runs, we consoled ourselves examining the surviving features, model train set running along the top of bookshelves and some of the many volumes. Oct 07, 20 and on october 30, the duke will perform the official opening of the railway at the alnwick lionheart station site.
Aug 18, 2018 their existing station at alnwick through wooler to a junction with the tweedmouth to kelso lined at cornhill on tweed. From humble beginnings in 1991, when mary opened a secondhand bookshop in the front room of the old station where stuart was running a small manufacturing business, barter books has grown and grown. Alnwick castle group bookings order today alnwick castle. Moovit helps you find the best way to get to alnwick castle with stepbystep directions from the nearest public transit station.
The best thing about alnwick isnt even the harry potter castle its the local secondhand bookshop barter books. Dodds nook self catering in alnwick visit northumberland. Whether its rifling through the shelves of barter books, one of the uks largest second hand bookshops, housed in the towns old railway station or catching a performance at alnwick playhouse. Edinburgh to alnwick 3 ways to travel via train, bus, and car. Barter books is currently closed as the present time falls outside of the opening hours below. London to alnwick castle 11 ways to travel via train, bus. The old goods shed from alnwick station was dismantled and relocated to beamish as part of its rowley station. Rowling famously wrote down her first ideas for her harry potter books during a train ride to london. A busylooking station with trains waiting in both platforms in the mid1950s. Thats right a train station that was converted into a bookshop, its something that could be out of a historical fiction novel and i love it. With an eclectic array of shops, pubs and cafes, these cobbled streets have something for everyone. Barter books, alnwick, england fabulous second hand bookshop.
Alnwick station wagonway road, alnwick ne66 2np, england. Converted train station, with an amazing range of second hand books and a brilliant cafe serving some pretty amazing meals we had coffee and cake which were great. Lunchtimes can get very busy and when it rains too. The wife had a love of books, and the husband had a love of trains, so they bought an old train station and made it into a bookstore, batson said. Also worth visiting in the town is the wonderful second hand bookshop of barter books which is located in the old train station building. Barter books is one of the uks largest secondhand bookshop and is housed in the former train station on the edge of the town. Leakeys secondhand bookshop is situated in a beautiful old church by the. The town is on the south bank of the river aln, 32 miles 51 km south of berwickupontweed and the scottish border, 5 miles 8 km inland from the north sea at alnmouth and 34 miles 55 km north of newcastle upon tyne. There really is something for everyone as well as a cafe restaurant which serves excellent food i had a hot roast. This secondhand bookshop, barter books, opened in the former victorian station in alnwick, england. Harry potter filming locations and sites by rick steves. Home of the keep calm and carry on poster found in a box of old books. Former railway station, alnwick barter books cocurate. Latest information on covid19 and travel to the uk.
After calls for an improvement in facilities, the new station, which was designed by architect william bell, was built at a cost of. Prizewinning montage showing one of the last trains at alnwick station superimposed on the modern bookshop, taken from the exact same spot. Alnwick is home to barter books, the largest second hand bookstore in the uk, housed in the former railway station. Built in the old alnwick train station, barter books is one of the largest secondhand book stores in england. Wondering how to get to alnwick castle in northumberland, united kingdom. Conveniently situated less than a mile off the a1 between newcastle and edinburgh, alnwick castle is an ideal destination for group visits. Beautiful small towns in europe more americans should visit. Which train station is the nearest to alnwick in northumberland. Train stations alnwick recommended alnwick train stations. Alnwick railway station was the terminus of the alnwick branch line, which diverged from the east coast main line at alnmouth in northumberland, northern england. My favourite spot is in the desert, above crescentshaped yueyaquan lake. Train services to these stations may vary, you can use our journey planner to confirm your travel arrangements.
Public transportation to alnwick castle in northumberland. Edinburgh to alnwick castle best way together there. The most delightful english bookshop by the djk life on february 19, 2018 leave a comment for our valentines weekend, we roadtripped through the north east of england, visiting newcastle as our initial destination, and then travelling through some of the. I opted instead to head to a remarkable bookshop i had read about on claire and lauras miniadventure. Dont miss out on barter books either it is an amazing second hand bookshop in the old railway station, about an 810 minute walk from the cottage. Barter books in alnwick becomes the unlikely home of a new ice. We enjoyed exploring the town itself, and also driving around to see northumberlands beautiful beaches and castles. Alnwick station was closed in 1968 and now alnmouth for alnwick station is the nearest railway station.
This enormous secondhand bookstore inside a victorian train station sparked the keep calm and carry on craze. The former alnwick station itself, is well preserved and now hosts barter books in alnwick. Oct 27, 20 library multidirectional sofas by starmekitten. If books are more your thing, take a visit to the uks largest secondhand bookshop, barter books. A v3 262t waits at alnwicks platform one to depart with its train to alnmouth. Great bookshop in an old train station barter books. Both proposals went before parliament in 1881 but the cornhill branch was by far the cheapest and an act was passed authorising the north eastern railway to build their 36 mile line from alnwick to cornhill. The station buffet with good plain food, coffee, tea and cookies. Thus it was that the ner cornhill station was renamed coldstream on 1 october 1873. Of course you need to do some local research, its a lovely town and the station is now a pretty good bookshop and theres a preservation society.
My best travel discovery of 2016 travel the guardian. We sadly did not get time to do the self guided tour of the building to take in all the old features of the railway station that barter books is located in. Housed in the northumbrian towns former station, barter books is a convivial. One of the largest secondhand bookshops in all of europe, barter books is located inside a victorian train station that closed in 1968. Essentials include a trip to the famous barter books, the largest secondhand bookshop in the country. New ice cream parlour brings a taste of paradise to barter books in. The aln valley railway trust is a registered charity number 1063332. This alnwick bookshop attracted attention for its role in discovering and producing the now ubiquitous world war ii keep calm and carry on poster. Originally just a wayside station, coldstream became a junction in 1887 when the lengthy branch to alnwick opened. Mar 16, 2020 this secondhand bookshop in an old railway station has to be seen to be believed. Feb 6, 2019 youll soon see why people of medieval northumberland were so afraid of dragons see.
Its owned by stuart and mary manley, which we assume is a pseudonym for hermione granger. A short walk to alnwick castle and the adjoining alnwick garden, town centre with plenty bars, restaurants and cafes. Why you should take a short break in northumberland. Its a bookshop right on the canal that floods every year, so the eccentric, straycatadopting owner keeps his books in boats. Located in the old victorian alnwick railway station, the bookshop makes use of the old parcel office, train platforms and side waiting rooms to house thousands of books both old and not so old, roaring open fires, a rickety model train, plenty of mismatched seating, a childrens room and a. Top 10 harry potter locations in london visit britain. Close to the coast and a 5 minute drive to alnwick, a 5 minute walk from alnmouth train station, its ideal for exploring northumberland. Alnwick is a lovely location to spend a few days in. Seems fitting then, that an 1887 victorian train station in the historic town of alnwick was turned into a charming bookshop, complete with model. Converted train station, with an amazing range of second hand books and a brilliant cafe. Situated in the old station in alnwick barter books is an establishment where you can buy used books or exchange them as well as buy rare books. A stones throw from supermarkets, leisure centre, and the a1. Britains best independent bookshops one has a railway running along its shelves, another displays its wares in a victorian bath.
In todays video we give you a glimpse of the amazing barter books located within the old alnwick train station. Apr 03, 2020 barter books, is by far the friendliest and cosiest place to drop in, warm up with a light lunch, hot soup, crunchy roll and delicious coffee or tea. Located on the edge of the beautiful market town of alnwick, 10 minutes from the coast and train station. This only just claims the top spot because of its sheer enormity. There are books everywhere and comfortable chairs and sofas and fires and even a train running on tracks above your head. Alnwick is home to barter books, one of britains largest secondhand bookstores, which made its home in the now defunct alnwick train station. I make a point of looking here for all my course books before looking online or in chain stores. Not very far from where batson lived in england, she lost herself in stories while drinking tea in barter books, a bookshop converted from an old train station in alnwick.
This large, comfortable room has stunning views over rolling fields. Barter books, alnwick, alnwick station, wagonway rd, opening hours, barter books one of the largest second hand book shops in europe. Is it worth mentioning that the previous evening a piece of pizza had hit my head outside the. The station was also the terminus of the cornhill branch line to coldstream which closed for passengers in 1930. Great bookshop in an old train station what a fab find for a huge bookworm. Barter books alnwick 2020 all you need to know before. The branch opened on 1 october 1850 and closed for passengers in january 1968 and completely in october 1968. Northumberland steam rail link set to reopen after 45 years. Alnmouth railway station alnwick, northumberland train. Inside the glassroofed train station, on a pedestrian sky bridge over the tracks, hagrid gives harry a train ticket. Have lunch at the book shop and enjoy perusing the largest selection of second hand books in. Moovit provides free maps and live directions to help you navigate through your city. Westminster tube station is one of the main locations harry potter uses when travelling in harry potter and the order of the phoenix and had to.
Situated in the old station in alnwick barter books is an establishment where you can buy used books or exchange them as well as buy rare books and first editions. The alnwick branch line is a partly closed railway line in northumberland, northern england. Jun 30, 2010 alnwicks original station was originally opened on 5 august, 1850 and was based to the west of the present site. The north easts best loved independent book shop expands its.
The fanciful exterior shot in the chamber of secrets 2002 is actually nearby st. Feb 05, 2007 which train station is the nearest to alnwick in northumberland. The bakehouse upstairs lofts for rent in northumberland. Refreshments and a working model overhead train add to the entertainment value of this excellent wet or dry day visit. How to get to alnwick castle in northumberland by bus. There are 11 ways to get from london to alnwick castle by train, bus, night train, car or plane. Barter books alnwick all you need to know before you go. An impressive station was, therefore, an absolute necessity. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. It is the loveliest place and its charm is complete with its own small fireplace, old victorian sofas and even a miniature train running on top of the bookshelves. In this old railway station in historic alnwick, there is humungous second hand bookshop, with blazing fires in old waiting rooms and a canny cafe area. This spellbinding cove of books, situated in alnwicks old railway station, will truly take your breath away. Planning for alnwick in oo british railway modelling awards for 2019 now open for voting. The nearest railway stations to alnwick castle are listed below.
Barter books is located inside a victorian train station that closed in 1968. A huge secondhand bookshop in the old train station building. Barter books, alnwick england books have always made great travel companions, and some writers swear by the magic of train travel j. Barter your books in this huge library situate in the old. The principal objective of the aln valley railway project is the restoration and operation of the railway between alnmouth and alnwick, providing an additional tourist attraction for the area and to enlarge the districts tourism offering.
All sorts of valuable old books on offer with lots of local subjects as well as a wide selection of standard subjects. One of the largest secondhand bookshops in britain. A novel experience a visit to barter books alnwick. Fabulous second hand bookshop in an old railway station. Old alnwick station and barter books this is the original entrance to alnwick station, which has now been converted to a used book store, barter books in alnwick.
The setting for this amazing second hand bookshop is the grand buildings of the now disused alnwick station. Harry catches the train to hogwarts at kings cross station. Barter books alnwick 2020 what to know before you go. Barter books, alnwick station, northumberland ne66 2np. Im trying to figure out the best way to do this and would love any input. Worlds most charming independent bookstores travel. Barter books alnwick 2020 all you need to know before you. Postcard of a ghost train a montage of a photograph of one of the last trains to leave alnwick station superimposed on a modern image of the bookshop taken from the same spot measuring 210mm x 150mm. A model railway acting as a link between the book columns of the central room, along with poetry lines. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. I would like to thank val appleby of alnmouth railway station for her help yesterday. Work is now in hand to more than double the length of the line to edenhill bridge where there will be a new halt. List your trains business on the alnwick train stations directory today. Barter books alnwick all you need to know before you.
As a collector of generally more specialised books i found this place useless. In addition to alnwick castle other popular castles in the county include bamburgh castle and lindisfarne castle. A heritage railway operates a short section of the line, which originally ran from alnmouth railway station, on the east coast main line, to the town of alnwick, a distance of 2 3. I really want to go to alnwick to see not only this castle but the amazing second hand bookshop that discovered the lost keep calm and carry on poster. The ceremony will be attended by special guests including berwick mp sir alan beith, and founding chairman of the railway stuart manley, who with wife mary owns barter books, the famous secondhand bookshop in alnwick. A cycleway footpath is being constructed alongside to provide a safe trafficfree corridor between alnwick and the national cycle network and the coast. See more ideas about alnwick castle, castle and english castles. Small bookshops arent dead, theyre thriving, and weve hunted. One of the largest second hand bookshops in britain, theres a massive, everchanging stock of books, with everything from kids picture books to in depth historcial tomes. Unless shown otherwise in the special offers section, travel between the station shown and alnwick castle is not included.
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