Alnmouth was the ancient port for Alnwick. It saw some prominence in 18th century as a corn exporting port, particularly after the 'Corn Road' was built by Hexham and Alnmouth Turnpike Trust. In 1806 the River Aln altered course and it is difficult to identify the port. At Prospect Place in Alnmouth is a terrace of dwellings converted in the 19th century from a granary (grade II). (1)

Documentary evidence for settlement at Alnmouth: 1207 - Wednesday market granted; 1250; 1256; 1529 - Harbour refurbished; 1567 - plan shows 71 houses; 1594 - Alnmouth was 'dispeopled'; 1614 - Survey describes Alnmouth 'in greate ruine and decay'. (2)

The history of the present settlement of Alnmouth began in the mid 12th century with the foundation of the borough, with the right to have a port being granted to Eustace de Vesci in 1207-8. This settlement consisted of a main street along the top of the ridge, with elongated burgage plots along each side; traces of these plots can still be seen in the modern plan. The Church of St Waleric stood at the southern end of the town and the river estuary originally took a course south of the church. The Norman borough of Alnmouth was destroyed by the Scots in 1336, although the town seems to have been rebuilt on much the same lines. (3)

NU 2465 1055. Medieval borough of Alnmouth.

In 1147, a grant was made by Eustace de Vesci to Alnwick Abbey of a messuage "in the borough of St Waleric" (4b). In about 1240, a charter of John de Vesci granting to the Carmelites of Hulme the
right of making purchases in his borough of Alnmouth without hindrance from the burgesses (4c). (4a-c).

A new port was established at Alnmouth between 1141 and 1270. (4d)