When looking for hotels to stay at previously in Alnwick, I’ve often browsed the Cookie Jar’s website, but until recently I’d never stayed here. As part of my week off in July (2026), Arthur and I stayed for one night in the Dunstanburgh Suite, using it as a base to explore Alnwick and to start our time up in Northumberland. Here’s my full review of our dog friendly summer stay at The Cookie Jar Alnwick.

Disclaimer: we received a complimentary one night stay in exchange for social media (see my full reel on the stay here – this blog review was not a requirement and is my own opinion.

From homemade cookies waiting in the room to treats for Arthur, it felt welcoming from the moment we arrived and we were both made very welcome. Sitting just a couple of minutes’ walk along the street from Alnwick Castle, it’s a very central spot, from which you could spend the day exploring on foot and enjoy the town’s independent shops, attractions and restaurants without worrying about driving anywhere. Equally if you want to use it as a base to explore wider Northumberland, it’s also ideal for that providing nearby connections to the coast and countryside.

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Northumberland that works just as well for a romantic break as it does a stay with your dog, or even a group stay, here’s everything you need to know about this boutique hotel before booking.

Why Stay at The Cookie Jar Alnwick?

If you’ve searched for boutique hotels in Northumberland, chances are The Cookie Jar Alnwick has already appeared on your list. Set inside a beautifully restored former Convent of Mercy, it’s one of the town’s most distinctive places to stay. Rather than feeling like a large hotel, it has just 11 individually designed bedrooms and suites, giving it a much more relaxed, homely atmosphere. It really did feel like a big house.

One of the details I liked most was how the hotel celebrates Northumberland throughout the property. Every room is named after a nearby landmark or location, and me and Arthur were in the Dunstanburgh Suite. It overlooked the street, was individually decorated as all their suites are, and had plenty of space to relax after a day exploring.

Waiting in the room was the hotel’s signature jar of homemade cookies (very moreish), while Arthur had his own jar of dog treats ready for him too. They’re small details, but they’re the sort of things that make somewhere memorable. He also had a new ball waiting for him too which kept him entertained while I unpacked.

The hotel has a cosy lounge which also becomes a bar in the evening if you fancy a pre-dinner drink, while outside there’s a lovely terrace that was gorgeous on the summer evening. The lounge area isn’t dog friendly, and there isn’t a specific bar, but they do run one from the kitchen.

As part of our stay we ate dinner outside overlooking the gardens before finishing the evening with a glass of fizz back in the room. It made the whole stay feel very relaxed, without needing to leave the hotel once we’d checked in.

The location is one of the best parts of the stay. You’re right in the heart of Alnwick, meaning attractions like Alnwick Castle, The Alnwick Garden and Barter Books are all within easy walking distance. Add in nearby free parking and it becomes a very convenient base for a weekend without constantly moving the car.

One thing worth knowing before you book is that, while dogs are welcome to stay in selected rooms and there are kennels available on site if needed, they aren’t allowed inside the lounge or restaurant. During the summer this wasn’t an issue for us as we were able to eat outside on the terrace with Arthur, but it’s something to bear in mind if you’re visiting during colder months. You could leave your dog in your room while eating in the bistro, or dine at one of the nearby pubs or restaurants. A lot of them are dog friendly across Alnwick.

Overall, The Cookie Jar felt less like a traditional hotel and more like somewhere that’s been thoughtfully designed around its location. It’s comfortable without being overly formal, stylish without feeling intimidating, and ideally placed for making the most of everything Alnwick has to offer. All of the staff were genuinely lovely too, I’d expect nothing else up North.

The Rooms at The Cookie Jar: Our Stay in the Dunstanburgh Suite

We stayed in the Dunstanburgh Suite, one of the hotel’s individually designed rooms inspired by Northumberland landmarks. It was spacious, full of character and had plenty of room for both me and Arthur without feeling cramped. Take a look online though at all the room options, the former Chapel looks a fabulous room!

The Dunstaburgh suite featured a large, incredibly comfortable Hypnos bed, which made it very tempting to stay in a little longer the following morning even for an early bird like me. The bathroom was big, had a double drench shower, fluffy towels and Penhaligon’s toiletries.

One of the details The Cookie Jar is known for is the homemade cookies waiting in your room when you arrive. They’re baked fresh every day and, unsurprisingly, didn’t last very long. So good! There’s also tea and coffee making facilities, and you can get fizz in your room too.

Being July and in the middle of a UK heatwave, even up in Northumberland, it was hot. They provided two fans both were decent and cooled the room down perfectly. Arthur wouldnt have slept otherwise so I was very grateful for this.

Throughout the hotel, the interiors feel luxury but homely. Original features from the former convent sit alongside modern décor, creating somewhere that feels unique rather than like another chain hotel. The owners have put a lot of thought into it, and it would also be very cosy for an Autumn winter stay, I always love visiting Alnwick at that time of year and I’d definitely stay here for a visit to the Christmas lights.

If you’re looking for a boutique stay in Northumberland that feels a little special while still being comfortable enough to relax and not be too stuffy, I’d happily recommend it.

Food & Drink at The Cookie Jar

The Cookie Jar has its own Bistro Restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meals using seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers wherever possible. As we were staying overnight, we booked dinner on the terrace as the Bistro itself isn’t dog friendly. On a warm summer evening it was easily one of my favourite parts of the stay, with views over the gardens and a much more relaxed atmosphere than eating indoors.

Staff were so nice, they made a fuss of Arthur and it was no bother for them serving me outside. To start, I ordered the Amble mussels in white wine source, and the monkfish fillet for my main, both of which were excellent. You honestly can’t beat some of the seafood on offer up here it’s such good quality. After dinner I was too full for dessert, so we headed back to the room with a bottle of fizz and instead I finished the homemade cookies.

Breakfast the following morning was included in our stay, with both continental options and cooked breakfasts available – always recommend the locally sourced mackerel or kippers. I was still too full from my dinner the night before so just had the continental, pastries, a yoghurt pot and some toast. Hot coffee to order too.

Even if you’re not staying overnight, it’s worth knowing that The Cookie Jar also serves afternoon tea, making it somewhere you could visit simply for lunch or a special treat while exploring the town.

More Details on the Cookie Jar’s Dog Friendly Policy

If you regularly travel with your dog, you’ll know that dog-friendly can mean very different things depending on where you stay. Some hotels simply allow dogs, while others actually make them feel welcome. I did think originally it wasn’t going to be, but I was totally wrong. The Cookie Jar definitely falls into the second category.

Arthur was greeted with his own treats waiting in the room, and throughout our stay the staff made a fuss of him whenever they saw him. It’s those little touches that make travelling with a dog feel much more relaxed.

Dogs are welcome in selected bedrooms, so you need to mention your dog when booking. They’re also welcome on the outdoor terrace, which meant Arthur could join me for dinner on the evening we stayed, but as I mentioned earlier in cooler months you will need to either leave them in the room if they’re well behaved, or eat out in Alnwick.

The hotel does have on-site kennels. If you’re planning to spend time somewhere dogs can’t go, such as inside Alnwick Castle or parts of The Alnwick Garden, you have the option of using these rather than leaving your dog alone in your room. I’ll be honest though I didn’t see them so couldn’t comment on what they’re like.

With Alnwick town centre right on the doorstep and plenty of nearby walks to enjoy, it makes a great base for a dog-friendly weekend in Northumberland.

Location & Parking

One of the biggest selling points of The Cookie Jar is its location. Situated just outside the walls of Alnwick Castle down the street, you’re only a couple of minutes’ walk from many of the town’s biggest attractions. During our stay we didn’t use the car. Instead we wandered past the castle, and into the central market place where the shops, cafés and bars are. We sat outside the Pig in Muck for a drink in the sun.

You could go right through the town up to Barter Books, and visit Alnwick Garden (dog friendly days are Thursdays and Sundays).

For anyone planning a weekend break, that’s a huge advantage. It means you can check in, park up and simply enjoy exploring on foot. There is parking right outside for when you arrive, but you can only stay here for 2 hours. The hotel will show you were to move you car to down the street and its only a few minutes walk.

If you’re arriving by train, Alnmouth Station is around a 10-minute drive away, with taxis readily available for the short journey into Alnwick.

Overall, it’s a brilliant base whether you’re visiting specifically for Alnwick or using it as a starting point to explore more of the Northumberland coast, with Bamburgh, Craster, Warkworth and Holy Island all within easy driving distance.

Things to Do in Alnwick from The Cookie Jar

Visit Alnwick Castle

Just a couple of minutes from the hotel is one of Northumberland’s most famous landmarks.

Whether you know it from the Harry Potter films or simply want to explore one of England’s most impressive castles, it’s well worth setting aside a few hours. Inside you’ll find grand State Rooms, exhibitions, guided tours and seasonal events throughout the year.

Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth wandering around the grounds and taking in the castle from outside.

Explore The Alnwick Garden

Next door to the castle is The Alnwick Garden, famous for its spectacular Grand Cascade, beautiful planting and one of the world’s largest wooden treehouses.

Depending on when you visit, you can easily spend half a day exploring the gardens before stopping for lunch or coffee. Its most popular times are spring when the cherry blossom is in bloom, or at Christmas for the light trail.

Browse Barter Books

No trip to Alnwick feels complete without a visit to Barter Books and its one of the best bookshops in the North East. Set inside the town’s former Victorian railway station, it’s one of the UK’s largest second-hand bookshops and somewhere I always recommend to people visiting Northumberland.

The open fires, model railway running through the bookshelves, cosy armchairs and café make it somewhere you can happily lose an hour or two, even if you don’t leave with a book. There is also a cafe on site. Ideal for a rainy day.

Explore the Independent Shops and Cafés

Alnwick has a great mix of independent businesses beyond its biggest attractions. From gift shops and delis to bakeries and coffee shops, it’s well worth spending time wandering the streets rather than heading straight home after visiting the castle.

One of the things I like most about Alnwick is that it still feels like a proper market town, with plenty of independent businesses giving it character. The market is on Wednesdays and Saturdays and there are some brilliant local traders selling a whole range of things.

Enjoy a Walk Around the Town

If you’ve got a little extra time before checking out, simply walking around Alnwick is one of the best ways to experience it.

Whether you’re wandering through the historic streets, exploring the castle walls or picking up coffee before heading home, it’s an easy town to enjoy at a slower pace, and one that pairs perfectly with a stay at The Cookie Jar.

Read my more detailed blog on things to do in Alnwick here.

Is The Cookie Jar Worth Staying At?

After spending a night here, I’d recommend The Cookie Jar to anyone looking for a boutique hotel in Northumberland. The location means you can explore Alnwick on foot, the rooms feel genuinely luxurious without being over the top, the food was excellent, and travelling with Arthur felt effortless thanks to the thoughtful dog-friendly touches.

Like any hotel, there are a couple of things worth bearing in mind. If you’re travelling with a dog, you’ll need to eat on the terrace rather than inside the restaurant, which worked perfectly for us in summer but could be less convenient in colder weather. The hotel is also on the smaller side, so it’s worth booking ahead, particularly during weekends and school holidays. However if there is a big group of you they do accept bookings of that scale where you take all the rooms in the hotel.

If you’re looking for somewhere with plenty of character rather than a large chain hotel, that’s part of its appeal.

Check-in and Check-out

Standard check-in is from 3pm, with check-out by 11am, giving you plenty of time to enjoy breakfast before heading home.

Dog-Friendly Rooms

Dogs are welcome in selected rooms, so it’s best to mention your dog when booking to make sure you’re allocated a suitable room.

Parking

Free guest parking is available nearby, making it easy to explore Alnwick on foot once you’ve arrived.

Nearby Attractions

The hotel is within a few minutes’ walk of:

• Alnwick Castle
• The Alnwick Garden
• Barter Books
• Alnwick town centre
• Independent cafés, restaurants and shops

It’s also well placed for exploring the wider Northumberland coast, including Craster, Bamburgh, Warkworth and Holy Island.

Because The Cookie Jar only has 11 rooms, it’s worth booking well in advance if you’re planning to visit during summer, weekends or the Christmas period.