![Bailiffgate Museum](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_4_3/public/media/image/0c8f51a8__museum.jpg?itok=Hxn2jNxL)
Bailiffgate Museum
The people and places of north Northumberland are brought to life here in lively, interactive style.
YHA Alnwick is located in the heart of the medieval town of Alnwick. Once the town’s Victorian Court House, its central location makes it ideal for a visit to Alnwick Castle, the medieval pile which featured in the early Harry Potter films as Hogwarts, as well as the neighbouring Alnwick Garden.
Plus, a short car journey takes you to the fabulous Northumberland coast and its glorious unspoilt beaches. Opened by HRH the Queen in 2011, this 4-star hostel provides quality budget accommodation, suitable for families, independent travellers and groups alike.
Reception opening hours: From 08:00 - 10:00 and 16:00 - 19:30 (19:00 from November - March).
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is free on-street parking near the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Alnwick. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.
YHA Alnwick is formed of two very different buildings which were used by the local council until recently as office space.
The main building dates back to 1856, and was built as the town's first Court House - the imposing bare stone walls downstairs emphasise the sense of authority and order. Now almost demolished, the town's Correction House stretched away towards the town at the back of the building. All that remains is the outer wall, forming part of our back yard wall and the name of the alleyway that runs between the two buildings - Correction House Alley. The east building is actually a range of two smaller cottages, knocked together at some stage in the early 20th Century.
Back in the 1820s these buildings were leased to the local constabulary, the forerunner of the police force in Northumberland. A passage led through between the two buildings to a cobbled yard, illuminated by a gas lamp - rather extravagant for a domestic property. Here a small stable was provided for the pony that used to haul the police cart. The cobbles, the stable and the gas lamp bracket still exist. The courthouse and police houses fell out of use when the new police station and court room was constructed on Prudhoe Street in the 1920s.
The hostel sits on Green Batt - the name may derive from the area of land used by the yeomen of the town to practise their archery, known as a butt, and as this was outside the town walls, the land would have been fields, hence, Green Batt.
We are a small, friendly team at YHA Alnwick. We look forward to welcoming guests, both new and returning, to the hostel. YHA Alnwick is a perfect base for cyclists who want to experience and explore the many and varied cycling routes that North Northumberland has to offer. We are currently undertaking an exciting project to transform one of our unused outbuildings into a dedicated cycle hub.
YHA Alnwick is a not-for-profit social enterprise, with profits being donated to good causes in the local area.