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'''Alnwick''' (pronounced ''Annick'') is an historic town in [[Northumberland]], north-east [[England]]. Although it has Anglo-Saxon origins, it came to prominence in the middle ages as the main power base of the Percy family, Earls (later Dukes) of Northumberland; Alnwick Castle is still the family seat. Alnwick is a popular tourist centre, and boasts what is probably Britain's largest second-hand bookshop in its former railway terminus. It has been voted the best country town in Britain by readers of ''Country Life'' magazine.

'''Alnwick''' (pronounced ''Annick'') is an historic town in [[Northumberland]], north-east [[England]]. Although it has Anglo-Saxon origins, it came to prominence in the middle ages as the main power base of the Percy family, Earls (later Dukes) of Northumberland; Alnwick Castle, which was heavily restored in the 18th and 19th centuries (and its grounds recreated by [[Capability Brown]]), is still the family seat; and has been used in various movies, including ''Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves'', ''Elizabeth'' and as parts of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Alnwick is a popular tourist centre, and boasts what is probably Britain's largest second-hand bookshop in its former railway terminus.

 

It has been voted the best country town in Britain by readers of ''Country Life'' magazine - whether because of or despite the annual ''melee'' is not clear. Each Shrove Tuesday (the day before the start of Lent) an all-in, all welcome, no holds barred sort of proto-football match, called the ''melee'', is played by the River Aln. The goals are quarter of a mile apart. Players have been known to end up in the river.

Its name means "''dwelling by the River Aln''" and the pronunciation once engendered the anonymous limerick:

Its name means "''dwelling by the River Aln''" and the pronunciation once engendered the anonymous limerick: