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.