Attractions and Places To See around Berwick-Upon-Tweed - Top 20

The Berwick walls are absolutely fantastic to walk – one of the best-preserved examples of Elizabethan defences in the country. You can do a full circuit in under an hour, and it gives you brilliant views over the town, the River Tweed and out to the North Sea. Along the way there are bastions, gun emplacements and plaques explaining the history, so you really get a feel for why Berwick was so strategically important. It’s all free to access and very easy walking on well-kept paths. A must-do if you’re visiting the town, whether you’re into history or just want a pleasant stroll with great views.

Jurgen

The tourist walk through the city is called the "Smuggler's Trail" and leads to the most important places in the city. Everyone can make up their own mind about it. Eyemouth - All smugglers? Eyemouth became important, at least for Scotland, when Berwick-upon-Tweed fell to the English in the 15th century. There was a lot of fighting in this border region, then at some point the borders were as they are and Eyemouth became Scotland's southernmost port, market place and church district. In 1695, 304 people lived here, not including the poor, it is noted in the local museum, they were not counted. Witches were also burned here, of both sexes, two dozen men, women and unfortunately also children. Fishing wasn't really popular here at the beginning. The harbor was inadequately protected from northern storms and was not safe. In the first half of the 19th century the port was expanded and formed the basis for the subsequent rapid development of the fishing industry. At the 14th. In October 1881, a catastrophe occurred that is encountered here again and again. Eyemouth's fleet had sailed to the fishing grounds in bright sunshine, but without warning - there were no good forecasts in those days - a violent storm broke out and few made it back to safety. 129 Eyemouth fishermen died. Many died within sight of their families, a sculpture on the beach clearly shows this. About 30 years earlier, more than 100 people died of cholera here in six weeks. What did people here have to go through back then? But what about the smugglers? Eyemouth was popular as a focal point for them. Roughly close to Norway and mainland Europe, a coast with many hideouts and narrow streets in the city that you could duck into.

Norham stands as one of the most captivating sights in the border region. Perched atop a lush hillock, it commands a crucial ford over the River Tweed, having held immense significance as a formidable stronghold in this historically turbulent area. It endured frequent assaults from the Scots, facing no less than 13 sieges, including a nearly year-long encirclement led by Robert Bruce. Despite the strength of its robust 12th-century keep and imposing towered bailey walls, it ultimately succumbed to the might of James IV's formidable cannons in 1513, just prior to his fateful defeat at Flodden Field. The extensive reconstruction during the 16th century, tailored to accommodate artillery, still bears evident marks, showcasing the fortress's adaptation to changing times.

Berwick's Elizabethan Walls are the only example of bastioned town walls in Britain and one of the best preserved examples in Europe. When built in 1558 - designed to keep out the marauding Scots who regularly laid claim to the town - it was the most expensive undertaking of England's Golden Age.

Norham Castle was built in the 12th century and had a rough time in the first few hundred years surviving at least 12 sieges before falling to the heavy cannon of James 4th. It was rebuilt with artillery in the 16th century but with stabilisation between England and Scotland Elisabeth 1st decided not to spend any more money on the castle and it slowly fell into ruin. English Heritage took over the manegment in 1923. The castle is free to explore, open daily in the summer and weekends over the winter.

Norham castle is free to visit.

Very pleasant place well worth a visit - interesting bridges and views.