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In 1827 there were four Coaching Inns in Alnwick: The White Swan on Bondgate, the Black Swan on Narrowgate and the Angel and the Star on Fenkle Street. A journey to Edinburgh would take seven hours, and to London would take two days. When the mail service between Edinburgh and London was first introduced in … Continue reading Coaching inns

Report on the Duke’s School, Alnwick, 1868 The Duke’s school at Alnwick, a school wholly supported by the Duke of Northumberland, was originally an elementary school attended by 200 boys. The number has lately been reduced to 100, and the education raised in character, though the subjects of instruction are confined to English. This change, … Continue reading Schools Inquiry Commission

Sir, In last issue the requirements of the town, or the wishes of some parties to have Prudhoe Street extended right through to the station is again brought before the notice of the public. Supposing that the land lying to the south of Alnwick was at this present time available for building purposes, I do … Continue reading The road not travelled…

In 1695 John Nesbit and John Gair were paid 1 shilling for this stone, and another 7s. 11d. for attaching an iron ring. In 1871 J. A. Wilson explained what the stone was for. “One of the favourite, but most disgusting, sports to which people of Alnwick were formerly addicted was that of bull-baiting, which … Continue reading So may this stone remain in the market as a historic memorial

Stand in the centre of Alnwick. Look around. One of the oldest features that you can see is the road layout. It’s impossible to put a date on this, but it certainly pre-dates the Norman castle. Another ancient feature of the town is the way that buildings are arranged. This is based on medieval burgage … Continue reading Rods, poles and perches