KIPPERS & THE RIVER ALN

We now take a trip along the coast, passing en route Dunstanburgh Castle. 

We soon arrive at Craster and we can look back at where we've been.

1994 saw the first passenger boat to arrive in Craster Harbour since the 1930s, thanks to Crookham Travel.

Craster is famous for kippers! (Photo by Sarah Davison CC).

Here's the village pub, the Jolly Fisherman, when it was a Vaux house.

We now head inland to Alnwick. The railway station here closed in the 1960s and has now been converted to a bookshop (Paula Funnell CC).

A new station, called Alnwick Lionheart, is being brought into use by a preservation society, the Aln Valley Railway (Steve Knight CC).

Alnwick is a walled town. It is entered using one of the gates.

Within the walls is Alnwick Castle.

Here's an old postcard view of the state dining room within Alwick Castle.

United Automobile Services had a depot in Alnwick and this brand new Leyland Olympian was photographed there in 1986, just before it received its Northumbria paintwork.

Dreadnought Coaches ran tourist buses in and around Alnwick.

In Alnwick town centre is the Queens Head.

Close by is the Fleece Inn.

It's dark by the time we reach the excellent Tanners Arms.

Another good boozer is the John Bull.

Alnmouth station is now the railhead for Alnwick. Here it is, on the East Coast Main Line, in NER days.

An Arriva bus will soon take us into Alnmouth itself.

Here's the "tranquil mouth of the River Aln" in the 1880s.

Now, a more modern view, with Coquet Island visible.

Looking up the river in 2008.

Some moored boats on the river.

The Hope & Anchor is more of a restaurant these days, but still has real ale.

The Red Lion Inn has decent beer and accommodation.

It would appear that the Saddle Hotel is no longer in business. 

So, it's goodnight from Alnmouth.

The next post will find us in more industrial surroundings. Here's the map of the route so far.