June 2026
There’s a particular kind of magic to summer in Alnwick. The days stretch long and golden, the castle grounds come alive with music and laughter, and the whole town leans into the season. For those who call this historic Northumberland market town home, it’s a reminder of just how much there is to enjoy on the doorstep.
If you’re settling into life at Riverbrook Gardens, or simply imagining what living here could look like, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Alnwick this summer.
Alnwick Castle becomes the beating heart of what’s on each summer. History lovers can enjoy an evening with bestselling Tudor historian Alison Weir on 10 July, while the school holidays bring Historic Falconry displays (28 July – 1 August), the much-loved jester Tom Fool, and longbow demonstrations from the Master Archer.
There’s a major new exhibition marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, plus broomstick training in the very spot where iconic Harry Potter scenes were brought to life.
It’s worth checking what’s on before you visit, as the line-up runs right through summer.
Just a short walk away, The Alnwick Garden marks its 25th anniversary this summer. The restored Rose Garden has been replanted with 400 new David Austin roses, a brand-new outdoor theatre opens with a family production of Wind in the Willows, and the famous Grand Cascade, intriguing Poison Garden and towering Lilidorei play village are as captivating as ever.
Summer is festival season here. Things get going with Mighty Dub Fest (19 – 21 June) against the backdrop of the castle pastures, followed by the What a Wonderful World Festival (25 – 28 June) at Alnwick Playhouse. The highlight for many is the Alnwick International Music Festival (30 July – 6 August), when the Market Place fills with eight days of folk music, dancing and colour, before the Alnwick Beer Festival rounds off the season over the August Bank Holiday.
Alnwick’s town centre has a character all its own, with the much-loved Alnwick Market on Thursdays and Saturdays and independent shops and cafés lining the streets. No trip is complete without a browse around Barter Books, one of the UK’s best-loved second-hand bookshops, set in a beautiful former railway station.
When you’re ready for fresh air, the sands of Alnmouth Beach are a short drive away, while Hulne Park and the surrounding countryside offer woodland walks and riverside paths right on your doorstep.
What makes summer here so memorable is the rhythm of it all: market mornings, castle afternoons, festival evenings and lazy days by the coast, wrapped up in a genuine sense of community. Living at Riverbrook Gardens, you’re perfectly placed to enjoy every bit of it, all year round.
Book a visit today and discover Riverbrook Gardens for yourself.
