Hot Spot: Alnwick

Publicity, wizardry and its location in Northumberland combine to work magic on property prices in the UK's 'best' town, says Robert Liebman

Alnwick has been put on the map by a combination of factors, says Diane Taylor of George F White. "It was voted best town in the UK in Country Life two years ago, and around the same time, the Harry Potter film came out and Alnwick Gardens opened." The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was set in Alnwick Castle - already no stranger to film crews.

Alnwick has been put on the map by a combination of factors, says Diane Taylor of George F White. "It was voted best town in the UK in Country Life two years ago, and around the same time, the Harry Potter film came out and Alnwick Gardens opened." The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was set in Alnwick Castle - already no stranger to film crews.

"The magazine award opened the floodgates, and people started realising how beautiful Northumberland is," Taylor says. "Our buyers come from as far away as Singapore and Australia. Although we are only 35 miles north of Newcastle, we have buyers who want to get out of the city on weekends and buy a second home here." Alnwick also appeals to commuters who work in Newcastle, Berwick or Edinburgh.

Taylor's colleague Susanne Jordon, whose three daughters were educated in local schools, praises the state system. "They went to a small rural first school, then middle school in the village of Seahouses, and high school in Alnwick. All were excellent." Area public schools include St Oswald's in Alnwick, Longridge Towers in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Rock Hall in Rock.

"Some property prices rose 80 to 100 per cent over the last two and a half years, especially two- and three-bedroom terraces now selling for between £100,000 and £160,000," says Taylor. "Cheaper properties attract more people, and these homes attract second-home buyers." In Shilbottle, just south of Alnwick, the stone-built Grade II-listed Old School House, now a four-bedroom detached house on a large plot, had a guide price of £185,000, attracted several offers, went to best and final offers, and sold for more than £200,000.

THE LOW-DOWN

Getting there

The train station at Alnmouth on the coast serves London King's Cross, Newcastle, Berwick and Edinburgh. The nearest airport is Newcastle International, and the Port of Tyne offers ferry services to Scandinavia.

Attractions

Alnwick Castle has been the ancestral family home of the Duke of Northumberland for nearly 700 years and has an art collection that includes works by Canaletto, Van Dyck and Titian. The grounds were designed by Capability Brown, and the house is open to the public between April and October. Alnwick Garden is open every day except Christmas. At Alnwick Fair (27 June to 3 July), visitors can enjoy the pursuit of "ducking a wench". Other events include the Castle Tournament, the eight-day International Music and Dance Festival and the Alnwick Show.

Déjà vu?

In addition to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the castle has appeared in Becket (Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton), Mary Queen of Scots (Vanessa Redgrave), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Kevin Costner), Ivanhoe, Disney's King Arthur and the Spaceman, Blackadder I and Dracula.

Prices

One-bedroom flats start from £65,000 at Your Move. A two-bedroom stone bungalow is £195,000, and a three-storey period townhouse is £255,000 at George F White. A four-bedroom house with study, dining room and double garage in Lesbury is £315,000 at Your Move. The four-bedroom double-garage Chester Lodge in Swarland, just seven miles south of Alnwick is £345,000 at Strutt & Parker.

Stone-built

Shawdon Hill Cottage and the Coach House near Glanton are being sold in their entirety for £475,000. Separately, the three-bedroom cottage is £330,000, and the two-bedroom Coach House £175,000; through George F White.

Bungalows

In Bamburgh, 17 miles from Alnwick, two new bungalows with garage and conservatory are available under the Nomad Shared Ownership for the Elderly scheme; £138,400 and £140,000 (80 per cent of the full value). At full value is a three-bedroom bungalow needing modernisation in Alnwick, seeking offers over £205,000. Agents are Rook Matthews Sayer.

Castles

Callaly Castle is a former stately home, converted in 1987 into 15 units (including flats, lodges and wings) on 35 acres, including vegetable plots. Number One Park Wing has two bedrooms and a galleried mezzanine level; it is being marketed at £335,000 via Sanderson Young. Northumberland's many real castles include Belsay Hall, Wallington Hall, and Chillingham and Lindisfarne.

New

Bowey Homes (0191 482 7711) has two substantial developments of three- and four-bedroom homes near Alnwick. The Meadows in Shilbottle has 49 units, many with sea views; from £178,000 to £193,000. Tarn Breeze in Longhoughton has 28 homes.

Estate agents

George White, 01665 603231; Rook Matthew Sayer, 01665 510044; Sanderson Young, 01665 600170; Strutt & Parker, 01670 516123; Your Move, 01665 603443.