Alnwick is a market town in north Northumberland, England, and it is said to be the most picturesque market town in Northumberland. It is situated on the south bank of the River Aln, 32 miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed and the Scottish border, 5 miles inland from the North Sea at Alnmouth and 34 miles north of the Newcastle.

The town was established in approximately 600 AD and it was later dominated by Alnwick Castle, home of the Earls of Northumberland. Thw town's history is centered on the castle and its lords, starting with Gilbert Tyson, one of William the Conqueror's standard bearers. It was held by the De Vesci family (spelt "Vasey") for over 200 years, and then passed into the hands of the house of Percy in 1309. The town was been the backdrop of numerious conflicts between the Percys and Scots. A cross, near Broomhouse Hill, marks the spot where Malcolm III of Scotland was killed during the first Battle of Alnwick (1093) and William the Lion of Scotland was here during the second Battle of Alnwick (1174). Outside the town walls, in Hulne Park, was Hulne Priory, a 13th century monastery founded by the Carmelites. In 1424, most of the town was burnt by a Scottish raiding party and, in 1448, the town was again burnt by the Scottish army of the 8th Earl of Douglas and the 4th Earl of Angus.

Today the town, with a population of 8,000, is mainly focused on agarian activities and, some of the community live in the area and commute to work in Newcastle or London.