Though not in Alnwick, the telescope has very strong links to the town. It was donated to the University of Cambridge by the Duke of Northumberland, and its mounting was designed by Alnwick-born George Airy.
In its day, this telescope was one of the largest in the world. It is still in place at Cambridge, and although it is no longer employed for scientific work, it is still regularly used for observations by the University Astronomical Society and members of the public.