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Your Guide to Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Your Guide to Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Berwick-Upon-Tweed, more commonly known simply as Berwick (pronounced Berrick) is an Ancient Walled Town at the far Northern reach of the Northumberland Coast. Throughout history this has been an area of intense conflict and the evidence of this remains today is clear, with it's huge fortified Town Walls. In Elizabethan times the Town had huge defensive walls built to deter the potential invasion of the Scots. Berwick changed hands between the English and the Scots an amazing 13 times before finally being re-captured in 1482 by the English, in who's hands it has remained ever since.
Three bridges connect Berwick with Tweedmouth on the South side of the river, the most impressive of which being the railway's 'Royal Border' bridge designed by Robert Stephenson and completed in 1850. Today Berwick is a beautiful Market Town that is immensely popular with visitors. It has many architectural features of note, an incredibly turbulent history to explore, a thriving arts scene and excellent facilities and amenities.
Getting There
Berwick is easily accessible by car, being just a mile or so from the A1. The Town's main car parking areas are Castlegate Car Park (550 spaces), Coxons Lane, at the junction of Church Street and Walkergate and by the quayside. There is also a car park right on the coast at the end of Pier Road. All these car parks are marked on our interactive Berwick Town Centre Map.
Berwick has a Train Station on the edge of the Town Centre that is part of the East Coast Mainline from London to Edinburgh and as such is very well served. It is a popular way to visit Berwick, the train line itself runs right along the coast from Alnmouth and is one of the most beautiful train journeys you will ever experience!
Berwick is a stop on the Arriva "Newcastle - Morpeth - Amble - Alnwick - The Coast - Berwick" which is the service between Newcastle and Berwick on their X18 route (see link below for more information). Multi journey tickets are available and you can get more information here.
Berwick's main attractions perhaps unsurprisingly revolve around the Town's turbulent history. Berwick Castle and the Town Walls were completed in 1570 and Berwick remains one of the most important fortified Town's in Europe. You can walk around these old walls and enjoy the stunning views of the estuary and Berwick's three beautiful bridges. Berwick Barracks and Main Guard were added in 1717 in response to an uprising in Scotland and today they house many art exhibitions and The King's Own Scottish Border Museum and Borough Museum. The Maltings Theatre and Arts Centre is the centre of Berwick's art movement and is definitely recommended for it's cinema, galleries and restaurant. There are many lovely walks, most notably the Lowry Trail that start and end in Berwick and the stunning coast to explore. Click here for your guide to Berwick's Attractions and Things To Do...
Berwick's Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes - Places to Eat and Drink
Berwick-Upon-Tweed has an excellent choice of places to Eat and Drink. Many of the restaurants here have an emphasis on fresh fish dishes and with the bounty of the North Sea right on it's doorstep its easy to understand why. Cuisine here ranges from top fine dining restaurants to pubs, cafes, Town Centre Delis and takeaway restaurants all offering fine food. I have put together a complete list of all Berwick's restaurants, pubs and cafes which also includes many places in Tweedmouth, just the other side of the River Tweed. Explore your guide to Places to Eat and Drink in Berwick...
Berwick's Events
There is a packed calendar of events in Berwick to enjoy, the most famous of all is the unique and historic 'Riding of the Bounds' In 1604 King James granted Royal Charter to the Burgess of two thirds of land that lay within the Bounds of Berwick which was marked by boundary ditches and stones. Then in 1609 the Burgess rode the bounds for first time and since the threat from the Scots ended with the Union of the Crowns the event has become a civic occasion. Starting in Barrack Square the riders set off after gaining permission from the Mayor to make sure the 'bounds' are secure, before reporting back. Up to 150 riders take part in this fantastic event that takes place on the first Saturday of the Early May Bank Holiday each year and it can be quite a spectacle More information about the event ca be found on the Berwick Bounds website.
Berwick Food Festival takes place annually in September. Each year there is over 40 stalls with exciting local produce, cooks can learn from professionals, the beer festival and activities for the children. The Festival also likes to try and teach about food heritage, where your food comes from and it's providence.
The Tweedmouth Feast takes place on Tweedmouth Village Green by the river and has been running for over 1,100 years! Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival takes place mainly at the Maltings Theatre and Arts Centre in to Town but other venues include The Gymnasium Gallery at Berwick Barracks, The Barrels Ale House, The Church of Holy Trinity and St Mary, The Guildhall and the Prison Cells in the Town Hall. It is a well established and attended event that takes place each September. Remember to check out our Events Page for a full listing of events in the Berwick area and around the County.
Berwick-Upon-Tweed has a wide range of quality Accommodation in an absolutely beautiful coastal setting. There are Hotels, Self Catering Cottages by the beach and family run B&B's suitable for all budgets. Explore your guide to accommodation in Berwick...
Berwick's Shopping
Berwick's main shopping street is Marygate that runs almost right through the Town. There are main big chain shops here including WH Smiths, Superdrug, Boots, Topshop, Phones4U, Thomas Cooks, Thomsons, Sports Direct, Grainger Games, H Samuel, Clarkes Shoes, Cancer Research UK. There are also a number of independent shops and Deli's to explore.
Food Shopping and Supermarkets
Until recent years Berwick was not well served by the larger supermarket chains, but all this has changed with the recent arrival of Tesco and Asda. There is also a Morrisons on Loaning Meadows, Near the A1 and a Co-op in the Town Centre. Don't forget there are independent Deli's and Grocers in the Town Centre, so you don't have to use the big supermarkets.
Tesco Tweedside Trading Estate, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 2XB
Asda Main St, Tweedmouth, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 2XW
Morrisons North Rd, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1QQ
Co-op Castlegate, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1JS
Places and Attractions Nearby
Holy Island, Holy Island's Attractions, Bamburgh, Bamburgh's Attractions, Bamburgh Castle, Budle Bay & Waren Mill, Seahouses, Seahouses' Attractions, Farne Islands, A-Z of All Guides
Have we missed something? Can you recommend an attraction, restaurant or accommodation? Or maybe you have a business you would like to be included? Let us know.
Useful and Interesting Links
Arriva Bus Service Route Information
Arriva Coast and Castles Service Information
Berwick Advertiser - Local Newspaper
The Maltings Theatre and Cinema
North Berwick International Highland Games
Google Sites
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