The Alnmouth Arts Festival was first imagined in 2005 by local artist and parish councillor Judi Hill. After nearly two decades, it is now run as a CIC.
Since its beginnings the festival has grown into one of the village’s biggest annual events, bringing together over 50 artists, makers and designers in many venues, from halls to private homes and gardens. Villagers play a vital part each year, offering space, selling guidebooks, serving refreshments and helping make this lively weekend of arts and creativity possible.
Parking and Shuttle Bus: For a modest fee, visitors will be able to park just outside Alnmouth, in the Football Club car park (beside Hipsburn Primary School), or in the beach carpark. From either, it’s a short walk into the village. There is a regular FREE shuttle bus between the Football Club carpark and a stop near the War Memorial roundabout in the village and a stop at the Hindmarsh Hall in the village. NOTE – return journey pick up point is the War Memorial. Pick up is not available at the Hindmarsh Hall drop off point.
Festival Guide & Venue Map: Visitors can buy a Festival Guide from kiosks in the village. This contains information about events, the exhibitors and their artworks, as well as a Venue Map. Throughout the weekend, there will be plenty of volunteers around to offer help and information
Festival Partners
The Alnmouth Arts Festival has a history of supporting talented artists getting started and in delivering projects that provide enduring impact for our local community.
The Festival partner with a small number of organisations who share our passion for the arts to celebrate Northumbrian culture and to generate sustainable opportunities for the community. We are delighted to welcome Alnmouth Burgage Holders, Coquet Cottages and Newton Hall as Partners to the Alnmouth Arts Festival.
Exceptional and truly unique, Newton Hall Estate, located in Northumberland, Northeast England, is the UK’s newest Staycation destination, coolest and quirkiest luxury hotel and ultimate wedding venue specialising in outdoor weddings, beach celebrations and spectacular corporate events.
The Alnmouth Burgage Holders have a centuries-old history centred on the conservation and maintenance of the Common land, the core of their constitutional role. Their commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the Alnmouth area is wonderful, and we are honoured to have them as partners.
The ancient obligations of the Burgage Holders of Alnmouth Common are met by a committee of volunteers who work hard to translate those responsibilities into modern times.
At the heart of their work is the stewardship of the Alnmouth Common. From scenic walks along the beach to breathtaking views over Bracken Hill, the Burgage Holders ensure that these landscapes remain accessible and cherished by all. The 3-acre pond within the Common serves as a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, making it a gem on the Northumberland coast and a testament to the Holders’ dedication to environmental preservation.
But their contributions extend far beyond conservation efforts. Through the income generated from the beach car park, the Burgage Holders support local charities, schools, and village organisations, enriching the community in countless ways. From providing assistance to Hipsburn School’s Beach School program to sponsoring the Alnmouth Arts Festival, their impact is felt far and wide.
Support Us
Our focus is in fostering new Northumbrian talent & supporting the community through the arts. We welcome support in many ways to help us achieve this…..
Become a Friend of the Festival
Love what we do & want us to keep evolving? The amazing support from Friends will help us to continue to bring high quality events to your community.
You can support this year’s Festival through a contribution of £15 (individual) or £25 (joint). As the Community Interest Company rebuilds the programme, each friend will be recognised on our Festival website. In future years we hope to offer priority booking, discounted tickets for events & much more. Friends are invited to attend the AGM but have no other liabilities or responsibilities.
Provide sponsorship & support
We appreciate the support of local businesses, & we are grateful for the support we received from our main sponsors in 2023 & the many businesses who supported the cost of the festival guide.
As a newly formed Community Interest Company we have returned to a prudent budget for 2024 but would love to extend the programme if we could secure more support. We would also love to be in a position where we are able to support more local community projects & foster more new talent. If you would like to be a part of this, we can tailor a package to fit your specific objectives & budget. You would receive recognition on our website & social media & support could include:
- Taking a small advert in the festival guide for as little as £50. It’s a great way to promote your business locally at the same time as supporting this very popular annual event.
- Helping to purchase much needed equipment such as artist display boards or festival signage. Why not have your logo on an 8-foot-tall sail flag!
- Sponsoring a particular event, it could be a workshop, music, spoken word or story telling for the younger ones. ·& much more…. To discuss options please get in touch.
Volunteer
Would you like to be part of a warm, friendly volunteer team & help ensure the smooth running of the Festival between 14th & 16th June 2024? Our Festival relies heavily on the invaluable help of many individuals & local organisations in preparing & running the Festival. Only have a few hours to spare? That’s great, you can help as little or as much as you want. Volunteering can take many forms from helping set up by erecting a marquee or setting out signage or spending a couple of hours manning the kiosks selling guides or maybe serving drinks at an event.
Want to know more? Please get in touch.
Make a donation
Alnmouth Arts Festival is a not for profit Community Interest Company delivering an annual festival as well as other smaller events throughout the year. Make a donation and help us:
- build a wider programme of events in future year
- support & encourage artists & performers within our community
- expand access to the arts in Alnmouth and the surrounding area
- bring to life the arts and encouraging participation in the arts to the local community and visitors to the area
- expose the community to new and varied forms of art
- support community projects and foster new talent
Join the Committee
The Festival committee is made up completely by volunteers, from all sorts of backgrounds. They organise everything, from choosing events to designing the Festival brochure. It’s a great opportunity to get involved in the community and develop new skills. The committee meets at varying frequency, but meetings are kept to a minimum.
Festival Photos
