Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

St Thomas More Catholic Church

Chelsea

in the county of Greater London

Pictures of Berwick-upon-Tweed

a Seaside Town in the county of Northumberland

About Berwick-upon-Tweed

Standing on an entirely Scottish river, it is no wonder that the most frequently asked question concerning Berwick-upon-Tweed remains, is it Scottish or is it English?

During the harsh border struggles, this town was alternatively held by the Scottish and English. The struggles first began in Roman times and continued until the 15th-century. The town changed hands 13 times before being declared English territory in 1482.

The stirring history of Berwick-upon-Tweed and its effect upon its citizens, has contributed greatly to the strength and character of the town. The strong fortifications of this walled town date from the 14th-century when the wall stood at a height of over 20ft high and had 19 towers. To ensure complete safety for the town, Queen Elizabeth I ordered a new wall to be built on the north and east sides of the town. Elizabeth, engaged Italian experts to build the new wall, they were said to be experts in building defences that would make full use of Artillery and fire protection was assured for all parts of the wall by the building of 5 large bastions. This wall was rebuilt in 1760 and has survived as a complete circuit round Old Berwick. It remains today in excellent condition and a walk along the top gives great views of both the town and the harbour.

Interestingly, the Parish church, which is of great architectual value, is one of the few churches built during Cromwell's period. It is well preserved and in the latter part of the 19th-century, it was extended.

Berwick Castle was built in the year 1150 but owing to the introduction of the railways the castle was almost completely demolished by the Victorians who needed the site for the building of a railway station. The Royal Border Bridge built by Robert Stephenson in 1850 is connected to Berwick station. Stephenson's superb structure has 28 arches and stands 130ft above water. Berwick has two other bridges, one dates 1624 and the other is of more recent times and was built in 1928.

In 1717, Vanbrugh built Ravensdowne Barracks, known to be Britians eariest barracks in the area and built due to the protests of the townspeople who objected to billeting soldiers in their homes.

The Berwick of today is a charming and interesting town. Within the walls, old grey-stone buildings hidden under pinky-red roofs huddle together in ancient cobbled streets. The town hall is of classical design, it has four Tuscan columns a bell tower and its steeple soars 150ft skywards. This building was built in 1750 and its top floor was once the town goal!

Berwick's position on the Northumberland Heritage Coast assures the visitor that this is not just an ancient place but a lively bustling town set on the shores of a vast ocean. The shopping is excellent and with the towns strong scottish influence you can buy anything from a Tartan Handkerchief to full Highland Dress. Oh yes, the Whisky is superb and if you are not careful you can get quite tipsy sampling the different blends on offer.

This historic town is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Travel a short distance inland and you will come to the Southern Upland Way, which runs through some of the most majestic scenery in the Border country. Attractions close-by include; Manderson at Edrom, Crumstane Park Farm and a short distance from Berwick is a battle site of 1333. You will find some very hospitable inns and public houses, all serving tasty food, good wines and a wide selection of fine whisky. Go on, take a bottle home!

Recommended towns & villages near Berwick-upon-Tweed

Statue of St Aiden - Lindisfarne - Northumberland

Lindisfarne (87 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Northumberland

(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SE of Berwick-upon-Tweed)

Each day for several hours the beautiful island of Lindisfarne is cut off by the tide from the mainland. Tide permitting it can be reached via a causeway, otherwise it is reached.....

St Abbs Head

St Abbs (21 Pictures) in the county of Borders

(9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction NW of Berwick-upon-Tweed)

In an area of startling prettiness the clear blue waters washing spectacular sandstone cliffs come as no surprise, for this is a coast renowned for it's beauty...

The Old Smiddy, Ford village, Northumberland.

Ford (3 Pictures) in the county of Northumberland

(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction S of Berwick-upon-Tweed)

Ford lies in an area of great natural beauty. It is in close proximity to the beautiful coastline of Linisfarne and Holy Island and is surrounded by old and pretty villages..

View of Castle

Holy Island (34 Pictures) in the county of Northumberland

(10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction SE of Berwick-upon-Tweed)

Holy Island lies close to Beal and is reached - tides permitting - by a causeway...

Budle Bay, Northumberland

Budle Bay (3 Pictures) in the county of Northumberland

(14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction SE of Berwick-upon-Tweed)

Budle Bay is a wonderous place, the shallow estuary is almost totally enclosed, and it is used by many species of wildlife as winter roosting territory...

All towns & villages in Northumberland
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Etal Castle, Etal, in Northumberland

Etal Castle (15 Pictures)

(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction SW)

Not a great deal remains of Etal Castle other than evocative ruins. It began as a three storey tower house built around 1342 for.....

Ford castle, Ford, Northumberland.

Ford Castle (1 Pictures)

(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction S)

..

Information - Lindisfarne Priory

Lindisfarne Priory (10 Pictures)

(10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction SE)

The strange, mystic atmosphere of Lindisfarne remains evocative of the time when holy men trod its shores rather than the birds.....

The ruins of Lindisfarne Abbey with Lindisfarne Castle in the distance.

Lindisfarne Abbey (7 Pictures)

(11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction SE)

The strange, mystic atmosphere of Lindisfarne remains evocative of the time when holy men trod its shores rather than the birds.....

Lindisfarne Castle view.

Lindisfarne Castle (56 Pictures)

(11.3 miles, 18.1 km, direction SE)

Lindisfarne Castle is a small castle set on a rock high above the sea. It is reached via an ancient causeway and is only.....

Coldingham loch, Scotland

Coldingham Loch (1 Pictures)

(11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction NW)

Attractively situated a few miles north of the Border town of Berwick, Coldingham Loch is one of the most popular fishing lochs.....

High tide

Bamburgh Castle (84 Pictures)

(16.4 miles, 26.4 km, direction SE)

Bamburgh's huge Norman castle was once the seat of the Kings of Northumbria. It is set on a Basalt outcrop overlooking the.....


All attractions in Berwick-upon-Tweed
All attractions in Northumberland
Complete A to Z of attractions in England