I'd have loved to have visited Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden whilst staying in Northumberland but having Archie with us once again restricted our plans, dogs aren't allowed in either. We did have a look around the town though and managed to tick off one place on my list, Barter Books.
This second hand bookshop is a book lovers paradise. Located in part of an old Victorian railway station, Barter Books has been called 'The British Library of secondhand bookshops' by New Statesman magazine. It hasn't lost its link with trains having a model railway running around part of the shop high above heads.
The building is impressive, it holds many thousands of books as well as having many extra features: The Station Buffet , open fires in winter, a children's room containing toys and lots of comfy seating where you can sit to browse the books you're interested in. There are lots of glass cases lining the walls which house many interesting antiquarian books. I loved reading all the poetry which was dotted around.
I was like a kid in a sweetshop, so many books all under one roof. I'm always overwhelmed when faced with such a large choice but I did manage a small purchase, one of the books from the Amanda Prowse No Greater Love series, Christmas For One. I haven't read it yet.
So what did we do with Archie whilst we were inside this wonderful bookshop? Well for once, I'm pleased to report that I've found somewhere dog friendly. He didn't create havoc, he didn't destroy anything, he didn't leave any puddles, in fact he behaved much better than some of the people I saw there.
I'm a responsible dog owner so it saddens me when I'm declined entry to some places because I have a dog on a lead beside me. I can understand not being allowed in buildings but many people, adults as well as children, behave much worse than Archie does in a garden. A big thumbs up to Barter Books for being dog friendly.
This is just a short post about my own visit but there's so much more to Barter Books including its history, the station, special books and Keep Calm, Barter Books is the home of the original 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster. Do take a look at the Barter Books website.
We loved it too when we went several years ago now
ReplyDeleteIt's a fabulous place, definitely worth a visit. I wish I lived closer.
DeleteWe tried to get into Barter Books when we were there in August, but the car park was full so we gave up in the end. I suppose we could've parked further away and walked back, but of course Junior was with us and we're trying to use his buggy less and less now, so we didn't think that was an option. Having seen your photos though, I'd still like to visit it one day, it looks like a fascinating place. So glad that you could take Archie in with you, like you said, he's probably better behaved than some adults and children!
ReplyDeleteThe car park is a bit of a tight squeeze to say the least. You must try and visit if you're in the area again, I'm sure you'd enjoy it and Junior would too. It's geared up for children with the train and the children's room and of course, there's loads of children's books too. I was pleased to discover that Archie was allowed inside, we'd have taken it in turns to wait outside if he wasn't but that isn't really an option when you visit a garden. Don't get me wrong, I can understand why they don't allow dogs in various places, there's some irresponsible owners, but those few people end up spoiling it for people who take dog ownership seriously.
DeleteA nice post and lovely pictures about a truly magical place. I've been there once and it's somewhere that I've always wanted to go back to.
ReplyDeleteI agree about with what you say about dogs, adults and children. Flighty xx
It's somewhere I'd definitely like to visit again in the future. I wouldn't have batted an eyelid if dogs weren't allowed inside, having been turned away from many gardens because we've had Archie with us it came as a surprise that we'd found somewhere dog friendly. It does make a change, I have to say.
DeleteSounds like a place where a person could spend a day or a week. I'm with you about dogs, I have seen far more ill-mannered children than I have dogs.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. I could have spent much longer there than we did. I love books and found many of the older, and more expensive, books fascinating. I shall take a list of books with me that I'd like to look up if we return. It was such a change being allowed in somewhere with Archie, it made it such a lovely visit. Parents often can't keep their children under control yet they're allowed in gardens to wreak havoc, it doesn't matter whether or not you're a responsible dog owner, they won't take that chance.
DeleteGlad Archie came with you, I love and old book shop, the smell of the books.
ReplyDeleteArchie's never any bother when we take him anywhere, as you can see, he's happy to just flop down and behave himself. There were some fascinating books in the display cabinets, many with hefty price tags. I'd have liked to have taken a closer look at some of them.
DeleteIt sounds like a great place Jo, all the better if you can take your dog in too x
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed my visit, it's definitely somewhere I'd like to visit again. I think Archie enjoyed it too.
DeleteWe made the mistake of going there on a rainy afternoon when we were in Alnwick at Easter time. Boy it was mobbed! We didn't hang around for long but went back the next day as soon as it opened when it was much quieter. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI bet it gets really busy at times. It wasn't too bad when we were there but I could tell how popular it was.
DeleteSounds like my sort of place. I would love to visit it. Will keep it in mind should we ever get up that way ...
ReplyDeleteArchie is so sweet, I do like that picture of him
All the best Jan
Do pop in if you're ever in the area, it's a wonderful book shop. Archie can have his moments but he's usually very good.
DeleteLike you, we didn't get Alnwick whilst in Northumberland, but maybe next time. Ooh, a secondhand bookshop. Lovely. I know somewhere you can go and take Archie just about anywhere and that is Keswick. We sat in a pub one night eating a meal surrounded by dozens of dogs. It's amazing, as dogs are just about allowed 'anywhere' in this town. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWe did visit Alnwick, just not the castle or gardens. We found pubs and cafes which allowed dogs in, it just seems to be visitor attractions which have restrictions, it's such a shame.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bookshop. One of the most beautiful places to find books in Nashville is actually our downtown public library. It's amazing. LOVE Archie! My dog is part King Charles...she has the same coloring and the same soulful eyes...but whatever else she is, it gave her a long nose instead of the one King Charleses have.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fabulous book shop and in such a wonderful setting. We have some wonderful libraries here too, I do wish more people would use them as they're in danger of closing. Your dog sounds lovely, you'll have to pop a photo of her on your blog.
DeleteWhat an amazing bookshop!!! Looks like a fabulous place to spend a few hours just browsing. I am with you on what you said about dogs, not all are perfect, but when you see the behaviour of some people..... Well, dogs are invariably much better behaved! I could tell you quite a few stories about behaviour that I see at work that would make your toes curl! xx
ReplyDeleteI could spend hours in Barter Books, it was so interesting seeing some of the older books, I'd love to take a closer look at those. Yes, I bet you've got lots of stories to tell about some of the behaviour you see at work, you have to wonder how people carry on at home when they're like that when they're out and about.
DeleteOh Jo you have brought back some lovely memories of our holiday in Bamburgh...we visited Alnwick and we also spent many happy hours wandering around Barter Books...it was pouring with rain outside if I remember and we were able to get a lovely hot coffee and biscuits while browsing. So glad Archie was able to go in with you. We must visit again x
ReplyDeleteYou should go back and look at my earlier holiday posts, we stayed not far from Bamburgh, I'm sure they'd bring back lots more memories for you. Barter Books is such a fabulous place, I'd definitely love to go back some time in the future. It was great that Archie was allowed in, we often have to go inside places one at a time whilst the other one waits outside.
DeleteOh, I love Barter Books. We had a short holiday in Northumberland five years ago. We stayed near Alnwick and we spent a few hours one afternoon just browsing round inside the bookshop. It was early spring and the fire was lit in the Station Buffet. Like you, we also felt like little kids in a sweet shop. I don't think there's any other bookshop anywhere like it, it's very special. I hope we can go back someday, the kids would love that little train overhead. I'm glad you really enjoyed your visit there too, and we'll done to Archie for showing everyone (humans included) how to behave well.
ReplyDeleteNorthumberland is a lovely place for a holiday, there's so much to see and do, it was our first time there. I could have spent hours in Barter Books, I bet it's lovely out of season when the fire's lit. Archie was on his best behaviour, it's so good of them to allow dogs in.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous spot! So much atmosphere. It looks like scenery from a classic book made into a film. So much history and beauty! How is that book?
ReplyDeleteThey've certainly made the most of the site, the old station is a great place for this secondhand book shop. I haven't started reading the book I bought yet but I will be doing so before long.
DeleteThis looks like such a nice bookstore. I love visiting them too and try to see unusual ones when I travel. I'm glad they let Archie in; he looks like he enjoyed his visit too. :)
ReplyDeleteI think there's something a bit special about secondhand book shops and this one especially so. I think Archie enjoyed being allowed in somewhere, he usually has to wait outside whilst we take it in turns to wait with him so we enjoyed him being allowed inside too.
DeleteLooks like an interesting place to go.
ReplyDeleteIt's really interesting, I'd love another trip there some day.
DeleteWhat an interesting shop. I've never been but I can imagine whiling away an afternoon in there. Good that Archie was allowed in, as others have said, some children are more of a liability in a shop than a well behaved dog. xx
ReplyDeleteI could spend hours looking at all the books, it's such a wonderful place. I was really pleased we could take Archie in, it makes a change when we can go in places together instead of one of us waiting outside.
DeleteIt looked like Archie would have been happy to settle down with a book too! What a lovely place. Jx
ReplyDeleteI think Archie would have liked the fire to have been lit. It's a fabulous place, definitely worth a visit.
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