Women sat next to the River Tweed

Explore Berwick

Cobbles, castles, beaches, and boat trips await you in historical Berwick-upon-Tweed. Located on the border of England and Scotland, secrets of a bloody, conflict-filled British history linger in its Elizabethan walls and ruinous castle remains.

Discover Berwick's History

This border town has a history of being passed between England and Scotland like a hot potato, and Berwick-upon-Tweed’s dominant Town Walls, old prison cells of the Town Hall, castle and ramparts, along with the winding, cobbled streets hold a complex and violent past.

The romantic River Tweed runs through its centre, dominated by three iconic bridges that have seen years of conflict as control of the town was repeatedly changing. Climb on-board The Border Rose with Berwick Boat Trips, where you can sail beneath the magnificent Royal Border Bridge and into the mouth of the river for some seal and dolphin spotting. All the while, skipper David and crew will keep you entertained with anecdotes of the town’s turbulent history and its rich salmon fishing heritage.

The nearby Farne Islands are a must-visit while you are in this area of Northumberland, home to a wealth of exciting wildlife including a large colony of grey seals and puffins. So whether you choose a family day out over a bank holiday weekend, or to stay for longer over the summer holidays, make sure to visit Berwick for the perfect bird watching spot.

Roam the river banks and soak up all that Berwick has to offer, with some of the most scenic views to take in on your visit, most recently captured on television screens as a filming location in ITV’s popular drama series Vera. Enjoy cosy cafés to escape into when the weather takes a turn for the worst. Take advantage of the town’s location along the coast and wander along barely-trodden Berwick beach, enjoy a hole in one at the golf club or take the children rock pooling at Cocklawburn beach which has miles of golden sands to explore. If you've still got energy left then head into town to taste exquisite seafood in one of Berwick’s eateries, as there are an array of restaurants and pubs lining the cobbled streets of Berwick town centre.

Step into Berwick’s complex and turbulent past and take a history tour through the town; see Berwick Town Hall’s atmospheric jail cells where graffiti from unruly 18th century cellmates lines the walls, get an insight into a soldier’s life at Berwick Barracks and take a haunting walk along the Elizabethan Town Walls. The walls supersede the ruined remains of breath-taking Berwick upon tweed medieval Castle, which is beautifully perched on a rocky outcrop over the river making it the most northern of Northumberland's Castle's.

Berwick-upon-Tweed FAQs

Berwick-upon-Tweed is a historic town in Northumberland, situated at the mouth of the River Tweed on the North East coast. It is the northernmost town in England, lying just 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border.

For history lovers and for those looking for a family day out or a weekend trip, Berwick-upon-Tweed boasts numerous historical sites, including the ruins of Berwick Castle and ramparts, as well as the well-preserved Berwick Elizabethan Town Walls. Visitors can also explore the Berwick Barracks, now home to several museums under the care of English Heritage. Whether you enjoy visiting some of Northumberland’s best attractions and historic sites, enjoy going on walks to explore the local area, wildlife spotting along the river and Northumberland coastline, there are so many things to do for anyone visiting Berwick.

Whether you are looking for a quick coffee pitstop for your walk along the River Tweed or a Sunday lunch on your weekend in Berwick, the town has a whole host of options to choose from. Popular options amongst visitors and locals include the Waterfront Cafe, serving British classics, Amran’s Indian Kitchen and Grill for something tasty with a spicy kick, to honest and tasty pub grub at The Cross Inn pub and kitchen. Whatever your taste, Berwick has something for everyone to tuck into and enjoy with their food and drink scene.

Berwick has a variety of local shops, whether you are looking to pick up some local produce, a gift or souvenir from Northumberland as a reminder of your visit, or to explore some of the best local artists in their range of art shops and galleries. For the ultimate historic town shopping experience make sure to visit the town on Berwick Market Day, held each week on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s.

Berwick offers visitors lots of accommodation options, so you are sure to find somewhere to rest up and ready yourself for another day of exploring the town. Berwick is known for its range of welcoming and traditional B&B’s, with favourites including The Walls B&B and West Longridge Manor.

When it comes to spending a day in Berwick-upon-Tweed, we recommend starting your day with a hearty breakfast to get you set up your day of exploring, choosing from one of the many cafes, restaurants and pubs the town offers, followed up by exploring some of the historic sites, from Berwick Barracks, the Elizabethan Town Walls, Berwick Castle and ramparts to the town hall and cell block museum, there is so much to explore, especially for family days out where you are looking to keep the kids entertained. Explore the historic streets of the town, strolling around local art galleries, gift shops, as well as taking in Berwick Market Day. We recommend finishing your afternoon off with a short walk along the River Tweed, taking in views over the river and the Northumberland coastline and spotting local wildlife.

Mountain biking in purple heather
Family walk in Northumberland
Couple enjoying a boat trip
Hadrian's Wall
Surf Northumberland
Outdoor adventures in Northumberland

Make it personal

With endless experiences, it’s impossible to see and do everything Northumberland has to offer. Create a personal profile and we’ll tailor the site to show you the best and most relevant content for you.