Berwick Holiday Cottage - Things to do
Spittal, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2QR
Berwick-upon-Tweed stands at the estuary of the River Tweed and was at one time the richest port in England thanks to its exports of grain and salmon. It is now three miles from the Scottish border but was for centuries fought over by the Scots and the English and only achieved a more peaceful existence upon the Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England in1604.
The town retains the impressive ramparts and walls built to keep it safe. These, together with the Barracks (the first purpose-designed barracks to be built in this country) are in the care of English Heritage. Nearby is the Gymnasium Gallery, 01289 304493 which provides a display space for visual contemporary arts and the Berwick Cromwellian Church which has many fine features. Guided tours are available by appointment, 01289 306136. For those interested in military history the Main Guard in Palace Green contains exhibitions about the fortifications and the garrison town of Berwick. 01289 308005. Also of interest is the Cell Block Museum and Town Hall in Marygate, 01289 330900.
North Northumberland and the Borders provide for a wide variety of interests. The area is famous for it beautiful sandy beaches and its romantic castles. Lindisfarne Island, six miles to the south of Berwick, with its castle and abbey is a place of pilgrimage to many. There are a number of stately homes within a short drive, including Manderston House, 01361 883450, with its famous silver staircase, and on the doorstep, Paxton House, 01289 386291, which provides a classical music festival in July. Within an easy drive to the south there is Belsay Hall with its quarry garden, and Hadrian's Wall. To the north is the intriguing Thirlestane Castle, cliff-top hugging Tantallon and the award winning Seabird Center at North Berwick
Berwick has a leisure center, The Swan Center, 01289 330603, providing a swimming pool and gym. There is horse riding at nearby Haggerston and at Borewell Farm, www.potadoodledo.com, within walking distance of Mariners Cottage, there is fly-fishing, quad-biking and a number of well signed walks designed to show off the coast and countryside. The farm also has an interactive arts center and a very good cafe and farm shop.
There are a number of golf courses in the area including The Magdalene Fields Golf club in Berwick which is open to visitors.
Nearby, St Abbs Head www.stabbs.com/diving and Eyemouth are the heart of the local diving community.Boat trips are available from Seahouses to the Farne Islands to view the seabirds. At Conundrum Farm there is a farm trail and a pool for fly-fishing. The farm also has an excellent farm shop and cafe.
The Sustrans route no 1 coastal cycle track www.sustrans.org.uk runs within a short distance of Mariners Cottage and we can provide storage for bicycles.
For those who enjoy gardens, the Borders region has some gems including the newly opened and opulent Alnwick Garden, www.alnwickgarden.com the superb botanic gardens in Edinburgh, the walled garden, plant center, and cafe at Floors Castle. Why not visit the hidden but beautiful gardens at Howick Hall www.howickgarden.org.uk with its Earl Grey tea-rooms set in part of the old house serving genuinely locally prepared meals, or the intriguing Gertrude Jekyll garden at Lindisfarne Castle. All are within an easy drive. There are the pretty Teviot Water Gardens where there is another cafe. serving delicious food and smoked salmon from the local smokery and the specialist Edrom Nurseries at Coldingham.Berwick itself has a very good garden center with a family friendly cafe. which serves delicious cakes. If you would like any further information, please get in touch with the Tourist Information Center on 01289 330733, Fax 01289 330448.