| Alnwick | |
 |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Status: | District |
| Region: | North East England |
| Admin. The region, also known as the government office region, is currently the highest tier of local government sub-national entity of England, with only one North-East England is one of the nine official Regions of England and comprises the combined area of Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear County: | Northumberland |
| Area: Total: |
Ranked 21st 1,079. Northumberland is a county in the North East of England. The non-metropolitan county of Northumberland borders Cumbria to the west Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. This is a list of Districts of England ordered by area. The areas given are calculated from the Output Areas created for Census 2001 and made available 51 km² |
| Admin. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of HQ: | Alnwick |
| ONS code: | 35UB |
| Demographics | |
| Population: Total (2006 est. The Office for National Statistics coding system is a hierarchical code used in the United Kingdom for tabulating Census and other statistical data In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology ): Density: |
Ranked 350th 32,000 30 / km² |
| Ethnicity: | 99. The density of a material is defined as its Mass per unit Volume: \rho = \frac{m}{V} Different materials usually have different The figures are mid-year estimates for 2007 from the Office for National Statistics. 6% White |
| Politics | |
| Alnwick District Council http://www.alnwick.gov.uk/ |
|
| Leadership: | Leader & Cabinet |
| Executive: | Liberal Democrat / Conservative / Independent |
| MPs: | Alan Beith |
Alnwick is a local government district of Northumberland, England. The pattern of local government in England is complex with the distribution of functions varying according to the local arrangements The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. In Politics, an independent is a Politician who is not Affiliated with any Political party. Composition Graphical representation of the House of Commons This is a comparison of the party strengths in the British House of Commons Sir Alan James Beith (born 20 April 1943 Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially ' shire districts', are a type of local government district in England. Northumberland is a county in the North East of England. The non-metropolitan county of Northumberland borders Cumbria to the west England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Its council is based in Alnwick town and the district has a population of 31,029 according to the 2001 census. Alnwick ( IPA /ˈænɪk/ is a small Market town in north Northumberland, England. A nationwide Census, commonly known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday 29 April 2001
It is one of the most rural and sparsely populated districts in the United Kingdom, having a resident population of 31,029 in an area of 1,070 square kilometres, according to the 2001 census. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A nationwide Census, commonly known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday 29 April 2001 (That is 29 persons per km² compared with the UK average of 245 persons per km². ) Just over 50% of the population is located in the three main towns of Alnwick (7,600), Amble (6,100) and Rothbury (2,500), with the remainder dispersed across large and small villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings. Alnwick ( IPA /ˈænɪk/ is a small Market town in north Northumberland, England. Amble, known as "Amble-by-the-sea" until 1985 is a small Town in Northumberland, England. For the town of the same name in New South Wales, Australia see Rothbury New South Wales For the town of the same name in Michigan
It is the second least racially diverse community in the country, in the terms measured in the 2001 census with 99. 6% of the population recording their ethnicity as White. [1]
The district was formed on April 1, 1974 as a merger of the urban districts of Alnwick and Amble and the rural districts of Alnwick and Rothbury. The district will be abolished as part of the 2009 structural changes to local government in England. It is planned that during 2009 there will be structural changes to local government in England, whereby a number of new unitary authorities will be created
Contents |
Main Towns
Alnwick
Alnwick is the largest of the three main towns in the district. It is a reasonably busy rural market town, which has - by way of yardstick - the district hospital and maternity home, Woolworths and the main banks. Market town or market right is a legal term originating in the Medieval period for a European settlement that has the right to hold Markets This article is about the British Woolworths Group plc, and its stores According to Country Life, October 2002, "Alnwick is the most picturesque market town in Northumberland, and the best place to live in Britain". Country Life is a British weekly Magazine. It covers the pleasures and joys of Rural life as well as the concerns of rural people The town dates back approximately to the 7th century, and is the ancestral seat of the Duke of Northumberland, who still resides at Alnwick Castle. The 7th century is the period from 601 to 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. The Duke of Northumberland is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. Alnwick Castle is a Castle and Stately home in Alnwick, Northumberland, England and the residence of the Duke of Northumberland Historically, Alnwick was a fortified town, an agricultural centre and a staging post on the Great North Road between Edinburgh and London. See also List of cities with defensive walls A defensive wall is a Fortification used to defend a city or settlement from potential aggressors Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The fabric of the town, in parts, reflects its history, although there has been much contemporary development.
Amble
The historic port of Amble, which describes itself as 'the friendliest port', is located on the River Coquet estuary and is the southern gateway to Northumberland's Heritage Coast. The River Coquet runs through the Alnwick district of the County of Northumberland, England, discharging into the North Sea on the east coast A Heritage Coast is a strip of UK Coastline designated by the Countryside Agency in England and the Countryside Council for Wales as having notable
Rothbury
Rothbury is a picturesque historic market town with its origins dating back to the 11th century. It is situated on the River Coquet, and provides a gateway to Upper Coquetdale and the Northumberland National Park. Northumberland National Park is the northernmost national park in England.
Housing
Alnwick District has a wide choice of housing to suit many different tastes and budgets varying from traditional stone build to modern housing estates.
The district has many small rural villages with a variety of properties from estate houses to agricultural workers' cottages set in Northumberland countryside; the eastern seaboard of the district has a number of small coastal communities.
Services
As at March 2004, according to Alnwick District Council:
Retail
Alnwick town together with Amble and Rothbury provide a comprehensive range of shops and services, whilst one of the best retail facilities in Europe is located at the MetroCentre, Gateshead, which is within a 45-minute drive time from Alnwick town. MetroCentre is the second most visited shopping centre in the UK attracting 24 million visitor a year In terms of retail area it's regarded as the largest Mall in the Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England. It lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne. Edinburgh is just over an hour north on the East Coast Main Line. The East Coast Main Line ( ECML) is the electrified high-speed railway link between London and Edinburgh connecting Yorkshire, North East
Childcare
The District has over 9 day care providers, ranging from playgroups to full day care. Day care or child care is care of a child during the Day by a person other than the child's Parents or Legal guardians typically someone outside A pre-school playgroup, in everyday usage just a playgroup, is an organised group providing care and socialisation for children under five
Education
Alnwick District falls within the Northumberland Education Authority. Northumberland's schools are currently organised in a three-tier system:
- 43 First Schools: ages 4–9 years
- 45 Middle Schools: ages 9–13 years
- 16 Upper Schools: ages 13–19 years
The numbers of Northumberland Education Authority schools within the three main settlements are:
- Alnwick town has 3 First, 3 Middle and 1 High schools
- Amble has 3 First, 1 Middle and 1 High schools
- Rothbury has 1 First and 1 Middle School – the feeder High School is located in Morpeth. First school and lower school are terms used in some areas of the United Kingdom to describe the first stage of Primary education. Middle school or Junior High School serves as a "bridge" between the Elementary School and the High School Upper Schools tend to be schools within Secondary education. Outside England the term normally refers to a section of a larger school Morpeth is the County town of Northumberland, England. It is situated on the River Wansbeck which flows east through the town
Healthcare
Alnwick town, Amble and Rothbury all have more than one GP surgery. A general practitioner, or GP is a medical practitioner who provides Primary care and specializes in Family medicine. There are over 25 GP surgeries within a 20-mile radius of Alnwick Town. Alnwick Infirmary has a small Accident and Emergency Department, although the main one for the district is located in Ashington at the Wansbeck General Hospital, some 25 miles south of Alnwick town. Ashington is a town in the Wansbeck district of Northumberland, England. Wansbeck General Hospital is one of the two "low energy" built hospitals in the United Kingdom.
Industry
There are a range of small industrial estates located on the outskirts of Alnwick town, Amble and Rothbury offering opportunities for local business development and inward investors. An industrial estate is an area of land set aside for industrial development. The estates offer a range of existing development premises and sites. There are about 15 companies in the district that employ 50 or more people.
Lifestyle
The area offers a rich, varied lifestyle to those who live and work in the District. The area has a wealth of good quality restaurants and cafes and a wide range of pubs and inns.
Alnwick
The Alnwick Garden is a world-renowned, year-round visitor attraction, which was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales - "The project is a bold and ambitious one which I am delighted to support. The restored garden will be a true work of art for everyone to enjoy, and a statement both of gratitude to the past and hope for the future. I wish the project every possible success. "
The Alnwick Playhouse is a multi-purpose arts centre that stages an exciting programme of theatre, dance, music, cinema, and visual arts exhibitions. The Alnwick Playhouse is an arts centre theatre and cinema in the town of Alnwick in Northumberland, England.
Major events in the Alnwick town calendar include: Alnwick Fair, staged in the summer as a costumed re-enactment of a mediaeval fair in which residents of the town dress up in authentic costumes; the Alnwick International Music Festival; and the Alnwick Castle Tournament – a medieval jousting spectacular in the grounds of Alnwick Castle. Alnwick Fair is an annual costumed event It was held every June between 1971 and 2006 in the market town of Alnwick, Northumberland, England Alnwick Castle is a Castle and Stately home in Alnwick, Northumberland, England and the residence of the Duke of Northumberland
In addition to the new Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre situated on the edge of Alnwick town centre, there is a wealth of sporting and leisure facilities/opportunities in the district ranging from football, cricket, rugby, rambling, rock climbing, water sports, cycling and horse riding. The golf enthusiast is particularly well catered for with thirteen golf courses within 30 minutes drive of Alnwick town.
Amble
Amble's harbour is home to a modern marina and the town's fishing fleet, which can be seen landing its catch daily. For other uses of this word see Marina (disambiguation. A marina is a sheltered Harbor where Boats and Yachts A fishing fleet is an aggregate of commercial Fishing vessels. Amble's links with the sea are celebrated in the Amble Sea Fayre Festival, which is held every July.
In the springtime, there is the Amble Spring Community Carnival, which is held in May. This is a carnival with live music, stalls, children's races and a tug-of-war event.
Amble makes a good base from which to explore the Northumberland Heritage Coast. Historic towns and monuments, unspoiled beaches, wide open spaces and the area's unique nature reserves are all within easy reach. The Hauxley and Druridge Bay nature reserves are nearby and during the summer regular boat trips run out from Amble to Coquet Island where the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds operates a sanctuary. Druridge Bay ( is a seven mile long coastal bay in Northumberland, England, stretching from Amble in the north to Cresswell in the nature reserve ( natural reserve, nature preserve, natural preserve) is a Protected area of importance for Wildlife, flora Coquet Island is a small Island of about 6 hectares (fifteen acres situated 1 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB) is a British Charitable organisation which works to promote conservation and protection
Many areas of the town have been extensively refurbished. The traditional main street and waterfront areas have been restored and the town now has a unique town square which can best be described as a beautiful work of art. It contains, amongst other things, one of the largest sundials in Europe. A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the Sun.
Rothbury
In Rothbury, you can visit the magnificent (National Trust) Cragside House, once home of industrialist Lord William Armstrong, the imposing Brinkburn Priory and of course Northumberland National Park. The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organization in England, Wales Cragside is a Country house near Rothbury in Northumberland, England. Sir William George Armstrong 1st Baron Armstrong ( November 26 1810 &ndash December 27 1900) was a Tyneside industrialist who Brinkburn Priory lies on a bend of the River Coquet, some four miles east of Rothbury, Northumberland. Northumberland National Park is the northernmost national park in England.
The Street Fairs, Village Shows and Musical Events are a wonderful way of experiencing the unique Northumberland culture of Rothbury and Coquetdale. Some examples are:
- Rothbury Street Fair (May): Local fair with stalls of mainly local crafts and home produce, children's entertainment, fancy dress and entertainment by local musicians & dancers.
- Rothbury Traditional Music Festival (July): A well-established Traditional Country Music Fair featuring pipes, fiddles, bodrun, guitars, folk singing, and dialect poetry.
- Brinkburn Priory Summer Music Festival (July): The Festival takes the form of a Classical Music festival in and around this beautiful Priory with superb acoustics.
In addition Coquetdale is best known as walking country, with the vast expanse of the Cheviot Hills and the stunning views over the valleys of the River Coquet there for all to enjoy. The Cheviot Hills are a range of rolling hills straddling the England / Scotland border between Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. This region is also a haven for rock climbing, cycling, fishing, golfing, horse riding and includes the Northumberland National Park with its abundant wildlife.
Transport
Road
Alnwick town lies adjacent to the A1, the main national north/south trunk road, providing easy access to Newcastle upon Tyne (35 miles south) and to the Scottish capital Edinburgh (80 miles north). Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.
Rail
The main East Coast railway link between Edinburgh (journey time about 1:10) and London (journey time about 3:45) runs via the nearby Alnmouth for Alnwick Station, with a weekday service of 15 trains per day north to Edinburgh and 13 trains per day south to London. The East Coast Main Line ( ECML) is the electrified high-speed railway link between London and Edinburgh connecting Yorkshire, North East London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Alnmouth for Alnwick (previously known as Alnmouth railway station) is a station on the East Coast Main Line about one mile from Alnmouth in Hipsburn The town was once connected to the main line by the Alnwick branch line, but this was closed in January 1968. The Alnwick branch line was a Railway line in Northumberland, northern England.
Air
Newcastle Airport lies around 45 minutes drive-time away, and provides 19 daily flights to London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London City), with regular flights to other UK centres. Newcastle Airport is located in Newcastle upon Tyne, about 6 Miles (11 km) north-west of the city centre Gatwick Airport is London 's second largest Airport and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom after Heathrow. London Stansted Airport is a passenger Airport located in the Uttlesford District of the English County of Essex about 38 miles (61 London City Airport is a single-runway Airport, intended for use by STOL (Short Take Off and Landing Airliners and principally serving the financial The airport also operates regular flights to many European destinations, along with destinations in Africa and North America.
Sea
Port facilities are available at the Port of Blyth (Blyth) and the Port of Tyne (South Shields), both about 30 miles south of Alnwick, providing shipping and passenger services to Europe and Scandinavia. Blyth ( or spelling pronunciation) is a Town in southeast Northumberland, England. South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well
Surrounding Area
The County of Northumberland offers endless opportunities for leisure activities and places of interest to visit. Alnwick town benefits from its very central location in the County, giving easy access to the outstanding coastline, Northumberland National Park with its beautiful hills and valleys, a wide variety of National Trust and English Heritage properties and dramatic castles. The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organization in England, Wales English Heritage is a Non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government ( Department for Culture Media and Sport) with a broad remit of A wide and exciting range of museums, art galleries and theatres can all be found in the county and in nearby Newcastle and Tyneside. Tyneside is a Conurbation in northern England, which is home to over 80% of the Metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear.
External links
- Alnwick District Council
- Alnwick Castle
- Alnwick Garden
- Statistics about the Alnwick district from the Office for National Statistics Census 2001
References
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