Discover Northumberland National Park: A Guide
One of the least-visited of it’s kind, Northumberland National Park is a hidden jewel in the crown of northern...
Idyllically position on the border of both Scotland and England, you wont be short on things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
With the coast and countryside delights of both countries sitting at your fingertips, there’s lots to see and do.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed to make things easy for you. Keep reading to find out more!
The border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed has changed hands between Scotland and England a staggering 14 times in 300 years. See for yourself why the Scots and English fought so hard over this glorious location.
Handsomely set on the north shore of the River Tweed, Berwick is the most northernly town in Northumberland. Three bridges span across the river, with the iconic Royal Border Railway Bridge connecting Tweedmouth to the town.
With so many things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed, including dining out at delicious restaurants, countless shopping opportunities, a theatre and a train station, it truly is a bustling border town.
If you’re looking for family things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed, look no further than the glorious sands of the towns beaches.
On the seaward side of the pier you’ll find a gloriously sandy beach. Sheltered from the waves by a rocky reef, there’s nowhere better to enjoy a leisurely dip.
The reef continues northwards for about a mile to a cove where there is another sandy beach. South of the river are the sandy beaches at Spittal and Cocklawburn. Just beyond Cocklawburn is Cheswick Black Rocks, one of the finest beaches in Britain.
One of our favourite things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed is to search for fossils on Cocklawburn beach. It is believed that here you can find the remains of ancient sea-creatures from over 340 million years.
There’s countless walks leading in and around the walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Whatever your ability, you’re sure to find the perfect two-footed adventure here.
Discover the vibrant history of Berwick with a stroll around the town walls. Built in the early 14th century, the orginal walls stretched over two miles in length, however only fragmants remain today. Built in 1558, the later Elizabethan walls total over a mile.
Ideal for the avid outdoor adventure, the Berwickshire Coast Path is a must. Beginning in Berwick, the path covers 15 miles of scenic coastline, passing through Burnmouth and Eyemouth before ending up at St Abbs Head.
Be sure to add an exploration of the ruins of Berwick Castle to your list of things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Built in the 12th century by King David I, the remains of this medieval castle tell an interesting story of the history of Berwick.
The castle exchanged hands between the English and the Scottish throughout the years, with parts added, rebuilt and strengthened until its destruction in the 19th century.
Amongst the castles remains are fragments of the towns original walls along with the arrow-shaped bastions of Berwick’s Ramparts.
Home to one of the largest colonies of mute swans in Britain, it’s hard to miss these majestic birds during your visit.
There’s typically over 200 birds that reside along the river of Berwick-upon-Tweed. During the busier seasons, over 800 birds decorate the estuary.
If you’re lucky enough to visit throughout summer or winter, you might catch sight of the annual moult of these mute swans. During this time, each bird sheds 25,000 feathers, leaving them unable to fly for up to 6 weeks.
The area surrounding the town is an ornithologist’s delight, home to over 250 species of birds and an abundance of wildlife. Along with an extensive collection of mute birds, keep your eyes peeled for otters and seals.
Berwick is well served for golf enthusiasts, with 3 links courses within easy reach. Be sure to pack your clubs and head out for an afternoon testing your swing!
Magdalene Fields Golf Club is the most northerly golf course in England. Its 18-holes offer beautiful views of the coast.
Goswick Links lies 6 miles south and is a championship course, whilst across the border is Eyemouth Golf Club. An 18-hole cliff top links course, Eyemouth sits in a spectacular coastal setting. Its most challenging hole is The Hawk Ness Monster, the longest par 5 in Britain.
If you’re on the hunt for some free things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed, follow in the footsteps of renowned English artist L.S. Lowry with a stroll through Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal.
Once a frequent holidaymaker to Berwick, L.S. Lowry has a catalogue of over thirty pieces of artwork that he made whilst visiting the area. Follow the trail in search of the sites that inspired many of his paintings and drawings.
Most well-known for his ‘matchstick men’ paintings, the artwork depicting the seaside town of Berwick are amongst his best kept secrets.
The trail typically takes three hours to complete, taking in the sights of the town’s walls before crossing the river toward Tweedmouth and Spittal.
Not only is Berwick perfectly positioned to explore Northumberland, it also benefits from easily accessibly public transport links.
Board the train from Berwick-upon-Tweed railway station and travel to the bustling cities of Edinburgh or Newcastle. Both less than an hour by train, there’s plenty of things to do near Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Walk the Royal Mile to uncover the facinating history of Edinburgh Castle, or enjoy a night on the toon at the Bigg Market in Newcastle! There’s plenty of shopping and sightseeing opportunities, meaning you wont be short on things to see and do!
If you can tear yourself away from the delights of this charming border town, there’s plenty of things to do near Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Situated across the water of the River Tweed, Goswick Golf Club is home to a picturesque 18-hole links course. Goswick Links is considered one of the top 50 courses in England and has even been selected by the R&A as one of the Open Championship qualifying locations.
One of our favourite things to do near Berwick-upon-Tweed, this course promises a memorable golfing experience. Enjoy far-reaching coastal views and undulating greens as you make your your shot.
Beginners fear not, there’s also a practise area and driving range on-site to test your swing.
This secluded tidal island sits off the Northumberland Coast AONB, joined to the mainland by a causeway. Twice a day, this tidal causeway is flooded with sea water, leaving Holy Island inaccessible.
Once a place of pilgrimage, today Holy Island is bustling with amenities, attractions and historic landmarks. Explore the facinating 16th century history of Lindisfarne Castle, or spend a peaceful afternoon paddling the shores of Holy Island beach.
If you time it right, you can walk the Pilgrim’s Way. A unique walking experience, the route follows a line of vertical poles east from the mainland to the island, crossing the original pilgrim’s causeway.
Have you been inspired to visit this renowned border town after reading our guide on our favourite things to do in Northumberland?
Book your stay in one of these Berwick-upon-Tweed holiday cottages today and start planning your itinerary!
For more inspiration on how to spend your time, give our guide on where to dine out in Northumberland a read!
This blog has been updated based on original content written by Northumbria Coast and Country Cottages
Images courtesy of: Billy Wilson – (CC BY-NC 2.0); Roger Griffith – (CC BY-SA 4.0); Karen Bryan – (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Hello, I'm Lizi, and I joined the team in May 2021. My favourite staycation destinations include Cornwall, Northumberland, and as ...
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