Berwick Upon Tweed
Contents |
Berwick-upon-tweed
Introduction | Travelling| Peebles | Biggar | Tweed Valley | Melrose | Selkirk | Jedburgh | Hawick | Kelso | Coldstream | Duns | Eyemouth | St Abbs Head | Berwick upon Tweed
Introduction to Berwick-upon-tweed
Yes, we know, Berwick-upon-Tweed is in England, but the town has strong historical ties with Scotland, and its football team plays in the Scottish league. It also makes a convenient stopping point if you've had a long journey north. The town, which takes its name from a river which has its source in Scotland, wasn't always in England. It changed hands more than a dozen times between 1147 and 1482, when it was finally taken for England by Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III. Berwick was a strategic base for English attacks on the Borders and large sections of the town wall, built by Edward I to repel the Scots, still survive. It has also retained its medieval street plan, and many of its steep, cobbled streets are worth exploring.
Sleeping
There is plentiful accommodation. The highly recommended B Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, Tel 331133, is a Georgian mansion set in 15 acres of grounds only a few hundred yards from the border. Rather more central is the D-E Dervaig Guest House, 1 North Rd, Tel 307378, only a few mins from the train station. Also close to the station is E Whyteside House, 46 Castlegate, Tel/Fax 331019.
Self Catering Cottages in Berwick Upon Tweed
- HUTTON (Near Berwick-upon-Tweed) - The Lodge - Berwickshire Sleeps 2
- HUTTON (Near Berwick-upon-Tweed) - The Coach House - Berwickshire Sleeps 2
Transport
There are regular buses to and from Edinburgh (2 hrs). Buses also run to Kelso, Duns, Galashiels and Eyemouth with First Edinburgh, Tel 01896-752237, and Swan's Coaches, Tel 01289-306436. Berwick is on the main London-Aberdeen rail line and there are fast and frequent trains to and from Edinburgh. For rail information, Tel 08457-484950. The Tourist Information Centre is at 106 Marygate, Tel 330733. Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 1000-1200 and 1300-1600; open longer hours from Easter to Oct.