'Willpower & sheer idiocy combine in harmony'
A magical garden, castle, books, food & beer - what's not to love about Alnwick?
IF you're after a run-out, look no further than Alnwick, Northumberland.
This historic town is much more than the castle (beloved as Hogwarts) and the Alnwick Garden.
First stop for book lovers is Barter Books, in the old railway station. With the model train whizzing by overhead and a cafe in the old waiting rooms, it's a delight for all.
It's the home of one of the surviving 'Keep Calm and Carry On' posters from the war, where it was found in an old box of books.
Bartering is the fun. You take unwanted books (two carrier bags maximum), where staff will give you a price and return any they can't sell. You then get the cash off as credit against any purchases.
There's many good restaurants and pubs in town, including The Plough, on Bondgate Without (near Barter Books and the Northumberland Gazette offices). it serves an excellent pint and great lunches.
To walk off our meal, we visited most of the independent shops in the centre, ideal places to go for unusual presents.
However, most of my money went in the delicatessens and the Fairtrade shop - organic produce, potato and beetroot bread and some Selkirk Bannock for breakfast.
To find out more about the town, log on to www.visitalnwick.org.uk.
Keep calm and carry on in Alnwick
There's a market every Thursday and Saturday, pictured below, from 9am-4pm (April-December) and a farmers' and crafts market on the last Sunday in the month, from 9am-3pm (except December), see www.alnwickmarkets.co.uk for further details.
From top, the treehouse at Alnwick Garden, which houses shops, viewing point and a lovely restaurant; Barter Books, housed in the old railway station. In the background, a memorial built to a former Duke of Northumberland after he cut tenants' rents. When he saw how much it cost, he raised them again; the Market Place; below, The White Swan, on Bondgate Within.
Alnwick Garden in all its glory on Halloween: top, the fabulous water cascade; the bamboo labyrinth; a turret in the wall; left, the bizarre tree full of dresses and dolls sprayed gold. I still don't know why.