In And Around Berwick
This section starts off with a quick tour of Berwick.
Clicking on the small pictures will enlarge that image and display a description below. Click the thumbnail panel numbers to display the next set of images.
The tour starts at the holiday cottage
This is a view of Ness Street. The holiday cottage is situated in a courtyard behind the street facing houses
Pier Gate cuts through the Elizabethan walls at the bottom of Ness Street and then leads out to the lighthouse at the end of the pier
The footpath around the walls can be reached from the steps next to Pier Gate
A view of the walls just to the north east of Pier Gate
A view of the pier and lighthouse from Pier Gate, with the tide out
A similar view with the tide in. A large sandy beach lies just the other side of the pier and can be easily reached on foot.
The pier taken from a different viewpoint. Holy Island can just be seen in the distance.
A shelter and benches on the seaward side of the walls by Pier Gate. This spot gives wonderful views of both the sea and Tweed estuary and was favoured by the artist L S Lowry
A view across the Tweed estuary looking towards the southern shore area known as Spittal. The chimney is on the site of a demolished factory and has been retained as a prominent landmark.
Spittal beach looking north towards Berwick pier. The amusement arcade and children's playground can also be found here.
A view along the walls to the south of Pier Gate
Some typical houses in the conservation area as seen from the walls.
Hide Hill, one of Berwick's main streets, as viewed from above Sand Gate
An impressive row of houses on Quay Walls, that overlook the mouth of the Tweed.
Quay Walls houses looking back from the start of the old road bridge. The building on the far left belonged to H M Customs until recently.
Behind Quay Walls lies Bridge Street, known for its restaurants and specialist shops.
Bridge Street area from above. Note the red pantile roofs which are typical of the old part of Berwick.
The Old Bridge, built in 1634, one of Berwick's three bridges across the Tweed.
The New Bridge, Berwick's second road crossing completed in 1928 and the route of the A1 trunk road until the opening of the bypass in the 1980s.
Royal Border Railway Bridge built by Robert Stephenson and opened in 1850. Now the route of the East Coast mainline between Kings Cross and Edinburgh. Berwick's railway station is situated immediately to the north of the bridge.
The River Tweed looking upstream from the Royal Border Bridge. The river is famous for its salmon fishing, swans and seals.
Berwick's Town Hall at the foot of Mary Gate, which is Berwick's main shopping street.
Don't forget to view the video about Berwick and view the panoramas
Berwick upon Tweed
Berwick upon Tweed is completely encircled by one of Europe's finest preserved Elizabethan fortifications. A one and a half mile walk around the walls affords fine views of the town, the sea and the River Tweed. Berwick changed hands between England and Scotland at least thirteen times in over 300 years of border warfare. Berwick is now part of England in the county of Northumberland. The Scottish border and the county of Berwickshire lie about a mile north of the town. The River Tweed, however, is governed by Scottish law despite the fact that its last few miles lie within England.
Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, is a few miles south of Berwick
An insight into the military background of the town can be gained by visiting the Berwick Barracks museum which is housed in Britain's first purpose built army barracks. The site also houses Berwick's borough museum and is open from Easter to October.
The Town Hall museum offers two tours a day suring summer, with visits to the former cells and courtroom.
The artist L S Lowry was a frequent visitor to Berwick, the town inspiring some of his finest works. After walking around the walls, a more detailed understanding of the area can be gained by following the Lowry Trail, which encompasses Tweedmouth and Spittal to the south of the River Tweed as well as Berwick itself.
Berwick Guildhall viewed from the Old Bridge
More Infomation about the Area
The following are electronic versions of leaflets or booklets
North Northumberland Tourism Association Visitors Guide - places to visit, where to eat, guide to accommodation and an excellent introduction to Berwick and the surrounding area. Well worth downloading and reading.
Historic Border Bridges - a guide to the history and construction of nine bridges in the Berwick area.
The Maltings Theatre and Arts Centre
Other recommended websites
Northumberland Coast - A Visitor's Guide
Berwick Borough Council tourism site
North Northumberland Tourism Association
The Barn at Beal, including Birds of Prey Centre
Ford and Etal - lots to see and do including a light railway and working watermill.
Find late availability in the North Northumberland area
Barter Books A very large second hand book shop in Alnwick
Local producer of high quality ice cream and cheese
Northern Experience Wildlife Tours - local wildlife tours
St Cuthbert Farne Island Boat Trips Boat trips from Seahouses
A quick word of warning for those making further web searches: A few miles up the coast towards Edinburgh lies the small town of North Berwick. This is not the same place as Berwick upon Tweed!
To make a booking please send an email
Other Links
Alternate website for Ness Street
Ness Street Holiday Cottage, Ness Street, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1HY. Tel 01289 318069