Hollyhocks is in the historic market town of Alnwick and is situated an easy 10 minute walk from the town centre.
Alnwick has a wide range of independent shops as well as several supermarkets. There is a choice of restaurants (Indian, Italian, Thai and award-winning Fish and Chips) catering to all tastes and many cafes and traditional pubs serving food. Market days are on Thursday and Saturday. The town also has the recently refurbished Alnwick Playhouse Theatre which includes a cinema and there is a Leisure Centre with swimming pool close to Hollyhocks.
Alnwick Castle and Gardens. The medieval castle is home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and is now famous for its connections with the Harry Potter stories. The garden is one of the most magnificent in Europe based on the movement of water with special areas for the blind and disabled as well as a unique poison garden. This fascinating garden covers 12 acres and also plays host to the famous treehouse restaurant.
Barter Books is one of the largest second-hand bookshops in Britain. It is located at the listed Victorian railway station only 5 minutes walk from the cottage.