Alnwick packs around fifteen pubs inside its old town streets and most of them are a few minutes' walk from the castle gates.
That makes Alnwick cottages with a pub nearby easy to find and it means nobody draws the short straw as designated driver.
We've gone through the guest reviews and listings for dozens of town cottages to find the ten where the pub really is on the doorstep.
Which pubs can you walk to from an Alnwick cottage?
Here's a quick guide to the ones guests mention most. Food, dogs and opening times do change, so it's worth a quick call before you set off.
| Pub | Street | Known for | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirty Bottles | Narrowgate | Inn dating to the 1600s, cursed bottles in the window, cocktails and local ales | Yes, at the manager's discretion |
| Market Tavern | Fenkle Street | Steakhouse and a much-loved Sunday roast | Yes, in the dog area |
| John Bull Inn | Howick Street | CAMRA award winner, 150+ single malts, Belgian beers. Cash only | Ask at the bar |
| Tanners Arms | Hotspur Place | A tree built into the bar, wood burner, real ales, acoustic nights | Yes |
| The Plough | Bondgate Without | 1890s building, pies, roasts and a children's menu | Check first |
| White Swan | Bondgate Within | Old coaching inn in the town centre | Check first |
The Dirty Bottles story goes that an innkeeper dropped dead in 1725 while moving the bottles in the window and his widow cursed anyone who touched them. They've been left gathering dust ever since!
The Tanners Arms is the one for a cold night. One visitor on Tripadvisor noted a "Nice fire going in the pub adding to the atmosphere".
For more on each pub, Visit Northumberland's pub guide and CAMRA's Alnwick listings are both worth a look.
The 10 best Alnwick cottages with a pub nearby
Can you take the dog to the pub in Alnwick?
Mostly, yes. Here's what's worth knowing before you go:
- The Market Tavern has a dog area and one reviewer's dog was given spare roast meat on the house.
- The Dirty Bottles welcomes dogs in its bar areas at the manager's discretion.
- At the Tanners Arms, one visitor reported "doggy treats given by the kind landlord."
- The John Bull is cash only, so bring notes whether you've got the dog with you or not.
- Town centre cottages rarely have grass, so find the nearest green space before your first late night.
What should you know before booking?
Several of these cottages come with a Northumberland Council parking disc, which saves a lot of hassle in the centre.
Book ahead for Sunday lunch at the Market Tavern, as it fills up. The Saturday market in Market Place is worth a wander before lunch.
Every one of these town cottages near a pub is also a short walk from the castle, so you can do the sights by day and the pub by night without touching the car. You can find more places to stay on our Alnwick accommodation homepage.