11-01-2026 - Alnick - Willowburn Retail Park
55.4003, -1.6946
Alnwick is a town I'd not really heard much about before. This is rapidly changing as it's becoming a firm, fan favourite around here. On our trips down the East Coast, Alnwick makes for a convenient and lovely stop. I've stopped at only one charger inside the town, but the Willowburn Retail Park on the outskirts still makes for a great stop.
The chargers are run by Osprey. According to their map, this makes this stop one of the very rare Osprey chargers in this part of the country. On entrance to the retail park, there is a sign that points to a carpark on the right near B&M. Do not trust the sign. The first time we came here, we followed it and couldn't find any chargers. They are - in fact - to the left outside the M&S.
There are two chargers, each has a 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO and a 16kW Type 2. All very standard. It works with both Octopus electroverse and a normal contactless debit or credit card, putting it into the higher tier of charger. I've been here twice and never had a failure or had to queue. I know that twice isn't really enough data to form a trend, but still, it bodes well.
The chargers themselves are right outside the Marks and Spencers (or M&S these days, I suppose). I don't mind M&S too much, although I suspect they use a lot more packaging than many of their competitors. Still, their praline chocolate bars are pretty good. But this isn't the main event. The place you'll want to go to is Turnbull's.
Turnbull's seems to pride itself on it's butchery. Established in 1880 - according to their website - they offer more than just meats. It's a good example of the more high-end farm shops you get around the UK these days. Seasonal vegetables, coffee, cheeses, cakes - all that sort of thing.
I picked up a very reasonably priced sausage roll, that was just great! It's just a shame it wasn't hot. I'm told they normally have these but not today. Shame really, but it's still excellent. I'm reliably informed that the vegetarian options are good as well.
Still, there's no escaping the fact you are in a retail outlet car-park. There's a B&M, Starbucks and a Homebase around, as well as a Next and a Sainsbury's. The park is very close to the A1 so it's convenient in that regard. Still, if you want to walk a dog you might be in trouble. Looking on Google Maps there does appear to be a graveyard not far away, but I've yet to venture there.
According to Wikipedia the history of Alnwick is the history of Alnwick Castle. Indeed, the castle itself is quite impressive looking. As with many fortifications in this part of the world, it played a major role in the wars with Scotland. I've yet to visit it, but I intend to at some point.
Perhaps the most famous tourist destination is Barter Books - a secondhand bookshop inside the old railway building. I've been here twice now, and I've bought books both times! It's a wonderful place, with an excellent cafe. The cafe serves a good range of hot and cold meals. I've had the fish and chips there and it's pretty good. High praise indeed, I might add, as where I live we have some excellent chippies. The cakes and coffee are good, the service is friendly and the real fires in the former waiting-rooms-turned-dining-rooms keep the place toasty in winter (something I can personally attest to).
The second entrance hall features a model railway that runs on-top-of the bookcases. Yes, that's right - a proper model railway. I've never seen anything quite like that before. The whole of the bookshop, including the cafe, is dog friendly. The staff will even provide you with a dog bowl for water. In fact, the original drinking fountain still remains in the wall of the main area. Very impressive!
I could write a whole review on Barter Books alone - perhaps I will one day? My only criticism is that it knows what it has. The prices are fair but not cheap; you won't find a hidden gem, or an amazing bargain. The whole place is just a little too tidy. You can't get lost in here, which is a shame. It lacks that mystery feel that the S-Tier second-hand bookshops have. It's also just a little too popular. Sure, I'm being a proper bookshop hipster here but I'm still going to heartily recommend it.
Thing is, I've really yet to see Alnwick proper. Just looking at the map alone, I can see quite a lot of possibility. On the way down, it was only a quick lunch and charge stop. On the return trip via Alnwick, it was pretty snowy. The UK had just begun to be battered by Storm Goretti, so again it was a bookshop lunch and then a long drive home.
I look forward to seeing more of Alnwick in the future.