Berwick-upon-Tweed

Berwick-upon-Tweed is the most northerly town in England, located roughly midway between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh. Voted in 2006 as the best place to live in England, we have a lot to offer visitors. With our relaxed and friendly attitude, and our beautiful environment, our guests always depart vowing to return.

You can get here by bus, rail or road (we don’t have an airport although helicopters occasionally land on the cricket pitch!)

Buses and trains arrive regularly from London and Edinburgh every day, and train journey times are as follows:

• London 3 hours 40 minutes
• Newcastle 50 minutes
• Edinburgh 60 minutes

History

From medieval times Berwick has been an important trading town. It was one of the most fought over towns in the English/Scottish borders, changing hands between England and Scotland thirteen times during the 12th and 13th centuries. During the rein of Elizabeth I, a defensive wall was built around the town centre and is now one of the best to be seen.

Situated on the river Tweed, salmon fishing has always played an important part in Berwick’s development. Although the commercial netting and fishing fleets of the past have all but died out, salmon still draw people to this region.

Things to Do

A walk around the Elizabethan town wall is a must. About a mile in length, you will take in the first purpose built army barracks in the world, now used as the Berwick Museum. Uninterrupted views over the North Sea all the way to Norway and Germany can be had, and views up the river Tweed, one of Scotland’s finest. Along the way you will pass various bastions and mounts, all integral parts of the Elizabethan walls.

In the centre of town you can’t help but notice the town hall. Stocks, once used regularly on misbehaving locals, can be seen outside, and the goal, located on the upper floors, is open to the public.

The artist LS Lowry often visited and painted Berwick, and you can follow the ‘Lowry Trail’ to see some of the many scenes painted by him.

There are many pubs and restaurants in town, several of which regularly host live music. Berwick also has an arts centre, The Maltings, which puts on live music, plays, musical and films.

Other places of interest:
The museum
The castle ruins
The medieval walls
The parish church

Market days are Saturday and Wednesday.

Around Berwick

All these are within a 30 minute drive:

Lindisfarne

The holy island once habited by St Cuthbert, reached over a tidal causeway.

Alnwick Castle and Gardens

Now famous as having the biggest tree house in the world.

Cragside

A fascinating house and garden once owned by Armstrong, an engineer and inventor.

Paxton House

A National Trust owned house and garden.

Seahouses

For boat trips to the Farne Islands.

Craster

Where the kipper was invented.

Eyemouth
St Abbs Head
Seahouses

All interesting fishing ports.

Wooler

Gateway to the Cheviots, part of the Northumberland Nation Park.

Bamburgh Castle
Chillingham Castle
Dunstanburgh Castle
Norham Castle

Golf at numerous clubs, sea, coarse and game fishing, horse riding at local stables, and various farm trails.