The main road passing the gate of Letton Lodge and the Church was the Corn Road, a Turnpike built to enable transport of Corn from Hexham to Alnmouth, when it was a major grain exporting port.
Immediately across the road are the Tea Cosy Tea Room/Bistro and the Saddle Restaurant, converted from the Village Stores and a Saddler’s respectively.
Across the well-kept Church Green, a number of old Granaries have been converted into private residences.
At the South end of the Bay, some four miles away, is Amble, a fishing port (and one-time coal port) at the mouth of the Coquet; the fishing fleet can sometimes be seen as it leaves port for the fishing grounds in the early morning or returns in the evening. Two lighthouses stand one either side of the river mouth.
Coquet Island, about four and a half miles to the South East, once the site of a Monastery, is now home to nesting Puffins and Terns. The Lighthouse is now unmanned. During Summer, boat trips from Amble go out to the Island, but landing is not allowed.
Across the river is Warkworth Beach, some three and a half miles of virtually deserted golden sand; this can be reached via Warkworth, or by wading the river at low tide. About mid-way along the beach is a small outcrop of rock known as Birling Carrs. Behind the beach can be seen the grass-covered sand dunes, home to many species of wild flowers including Cowslips and Orchids.
Cobles from Amble and Boulmer with nets close to the shore are fishing for Salmon and Sea Trout returning to the rivers to spawn. Slightly further out to sea, near Marden Rocks, they will be visiting Lobster Pots; further out again, they are probably fishing for Salmon or white fish. Smaller private boats are probably fishing for white fish including Plaice, Whiting and Cod. The Yachts in the bay are mostly based in Amble Marina. On the skyline, coastal freight vessels may be passing by.
The stone buildings half way along the half mile or so of Alnmouth Beach are the disused Lifeboat Houses.
Watch the ever-changing course of the once-busy River Aln.
Alnmouth Village Golf Course was founded around 1869 and is the second oldest Links course in England; the 9-hole course returns via a detour over the Bracken-covered hill, where it shares a boundary with the 18-hole Alnmouth Golf Course.
On top of the hill can be seen an old army battery (originally built in case of attack by Napoleon), and a more recent Beacon commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Spanish Armada.
At the Village end of the hill is the Franciscan Friary (once a night club).
The Marsh is home to nesting Mallard and spawning Frogs and Toads in the Spring.
There is much to interest the armchair birdwatcher depending, of course, on the season.
Summer swifts fly endlessly above and below; Kestrels hover below; Cormorants fly along the Coast or dry their wings on the river bank after an underwater fishing expedition; Eiders drift in and out of the river with the tide; Terns dive for Sand Eels; Fulmars glide effortlessly by; Curlew, Oyster Catchers and Redshank are rarely far away. Occasionally a flock of Gannet will visit the bay, following shoals of fish.
In winter, the estuary is home to a number of species, including Goosander, and migrating Geese and Swans can sometimes be seen flying along the coast.