ROYAL BORDERBRIDGEPPPPPPPPP1
41218561537101316221179202314118192224 Tweedmouth
Berwick-upon-TweedSpittal1.Archaeology and Artichokes2.Bank Hill
Icehouse3.Berwick Baptist Church4.Berwick Castle Tour5.Berwick
CommunityWind Turbine6.Berwick Museum and Art Gallery 7.Castle Vale
Park8.Church of St Bartholomew and St Boisil9.Fishing and
Fertiliser10. From Ditch to Bastion11. Georgian Berwick12. Greenses
Arabs and Fish Tales13. Gunpowder Magazine14. Holy Trinity
Church15. Kings Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum16. Main
Guard17. Masonic Hall18. Northstar19. Old Coastguard Station20. The
Old Gaol21. Palace Green Pavilion22. Spittal Fishing Shiel23. St
Andrews Church24. The Tower TourBERWICK HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
20151.ARCHAEOLOGY AND ARTICHOKESLions House Allotments,
Berwick-upon-TweedOften seen by walkers around Berwicks walls,
theres a wealth of history and vegetables waiting to be unearthed
in the Lions House allotments! Spend some time with local historian
Jim Herbert discovering a forgotten 16th-century fort and the
original south wall of the Elizabethan defences, a bowling green,
ropery and icehouses.Oh, and how you can become a budding
archaeologist in your own back garden.Opening TimesSunday:Tours at
1300, 1430 & 1600Access InformationUneven ground and steps on
site which may limit access to some areas for some members of the
public.DirectionsMeet on the Elizabethan walls near the Gunpowder
Magazine and Lions House.From Ravensdowne / Woolmarket junction go
up the steps to the right of the Indian restaurant and along the
path.2.BANK HILL ICEHOUSEBank Hill, Berwick-upon-TweedLeading to
deep within Bank Hill is a mysterious tunnel. It opens to the vast
cool cavern of the icehouse built around 1786 1799. Join the
Friends of Berwick and District Museum and Archives to glimpse into
this integral part of Berwicks work-famous salmon fshing
industryThe export of salmon to London was a huge and proftable
trade for Berwick. At one time the fsh were salted, smoked or
pickled in brine. The idea of packing fsh in crushed ice was
imported from China around 1785 and revolutionised the salmon
trade.Icehouses were constructed to store ice from local ponds or
imported from Scandinavia. Well-insulated ice could be kept for up
to two years. There were at one time several icehouses in Berwick
including one on Ravensdowne and several under houses on Shoregate
and Quay walls. Icehouses were in use until the mid 1930s.Bank Hill
Icehouse was used as an air raid shelter during WW2. The brick
walls at the rear of the chamber are from this period. The icehouse
is now owned by the Berwick P reservation Trust.Opening
TimesSaturday: 10001600Sunday: 1000-1600AccessBank Hill is a fairly
steep incline. The tunnel foor is a fairly rough ascending a slight
slope.Additional informationPark in nearby Bridge Street car
park.DirectionsBank Hill runs under the New Bridge from Golden
Square to Love Lane. The Icehouse is located just downhill of the
New Bridge.3.BERWICK BAPTIST CHURCHGolden Square,
Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1BGBerwick Baptist Church has a long and
fascinating history.The building now occupied by the church was
rebuilt as the Grammar School in the 1820s.Discover it and the
surrounding area in an exhibition about the schools and churches of
Golden Square and the Royal Tweed Bridge (the New Bridge) of 1928,
the building of which destroyed the square. Interesting features
remain including the Grammar School plaque, the School House
plaque, scrolled kneelers on gables and the grooved window
sills.Opening TimesSaturday: 100016004.BERWICK CASTLE TOURRailway
Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1NFBerwick Castle was one of the
most important fortresses during the Anglo-Scottish Wars.Probably
built by the Scottish King David about 1124, it held his royal mint
and was the scene of a decision made by Edward I that would make
legends.Discover a forgotten Jacobean palace and fnd out if the
railway really demolished the castle.Not much remains but theres
more than you think.Jim Herbert of Berwick Time Lines takes you on
a tour pointing out the many tantalising clues that can be found
and pieces its story together.Each tour is followed shortly by a
further tour exploring Berwicks northern defences: From Ditch To
Bastion (see separate entry).Opening TimesSaturday: Tours 0930
& 1330Access InformationLong fights of steps and fairly steep
slopes involved.Some uneven paths.DirectionsMeet on Railway Street
at the top of Berwick railway station approach road.5.BERWICK
COMMUNITY WIND TURBINENr. Folly Farm, off A1 southbound
carriagewayLove em or hate em, wind turbines are becoming more
numerous. Now is your chance to get up close to one. This new, most
northern HODs event aims to dispel some of the misunderstandings
surrounding them.The 50m 500kW turbine has been in operation since
May 2014 and has performed well, generating not only green
electricity but money that is injected by Berwick Community Trust
into projects to beneft the town.As well as being able to step
inside (not up!) there will be displays about the turbine, the work
of the Community Trust and a short history of windmills in Berwick.
Event not suitable for children under the age of 10.Opening
TimesFriday:10001600Access InformationThe Wind Turbine is accessed
off the southbound carriageway of the A1. For visitors travelling
from the south, exit the A1 at Lamberton (shortly after the large
Welcome to Scotland sign), drive over the bridge and rejoin the A1
south towards Berwick. Look out for the pink HODs signs and
bunting.Pre-booking requiredBerwick Tourist Information
CentreTel:01670
622155Email:[email protected] to: 106
Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1BN6.BERWICK
MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY Berwick Barracks, Parade,
Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DGBerwick Museum & Art Gallery is
situated within the Clock Block at Berwick Barracks. The Barracks
was designed by the architect Nicholas Hawksmoor and largely
completed in 1721 - the frst purpose built army barracks since
Roman times. Wonder at paintings, glass and oriental porcelain -
part of the Burrell Collection. Discover the sights and sounds of
old Berwick. Peer into the cottage and local tavern. Uncover
Berwicks battles and see its weaponry and medieval art. Opening
TimesSaturday: 1000-1600Sunday:1000-1600Access InformationSteps
throughout building.7.CASTLE VALE PARKOff Railway Street,
Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1NFCastle Vale Park was formed from land
gifted to the town by local baker, John Cairns and opened in 1931.
It is home to a rich variety of natural and built heritage,
nestling between the remains of Berwick Castle and the medieval
town walls. In 2014 it (and nearby Coronation Park) was regenerated
through a major HLF project. Join The Friends of Berwick Castle
Parks to explore the history of the park and make a bat or a bird
box too!Opening TimesSaturday: 10001500Access InformationSome steep
slopes and steps.Wheelchair users are advised to access the park
via Tweed Street.Additional informationParking available at railway
station car park.DirectionsEntry to park from Railway Street, Tweed
Street or riverside walk.8.CHURCH OF ST BARTHOLOMEW AND ST
BOISILChurch Road, Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2AJThe
Church of St. Bartholomew and St Boisil was originally named after
Boisil, the mid-7th century Abbotnear Melrose in the Scottish
Borders, now called St Boswells, a corruption of his name.The frst
written reference to Tweedmouth Parish Church is in a confrmatory
papal document dated 1145 concerning the Church of Bosilius at
Tweedmouth which suggests the church had been there some
time.However, in the Victorian period, Tweedmouth Church became
known as St.Bartholomews after an early monastic leper hospital in
Spittal.One of the apostles would be far more respectable than an
obscure Celtic saint.The present building was built in 1783 and
enlarged in 1866.John Mackay Wilson who wrote the original the
Tales Of The Borders stories is buried here.An exhibition about his
life and work will be on display.Opening TimesSaturday:
100016009.FISHING AND FERTILISERMeet at Carr Rock, Dock Road,
Spittal, Berwick-upon-TweedOnly the Victorians would think of
setting up a holiday resort next to an agro-chemical industrial
estate. This 1 hour guided walk looks at the industrial aspects of
Spittal, investigating the salmon and herring fshing industries,
and the fertiliser industries that sprang up on Sandstell
Point.Opening TimesSunday:Tours 1130 & 1400DirectionsCarr Rock
is a small riverside quay that is home to the Berwick RNLI between
Tweedmouth and Spittal.10.FROM DITCH TO BASTIONNorthumberland
Avenue, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1LYI must admit the new wall is
marvellous beautiful, was an opinion voiced to Queen Elizabeth
about the bastioned fortifcations in 1568, before condemning them
as badly designed and a waste of money! In this, the most northerly
Heritage Open Days event, historian Jim Herbert takes you on a
journey amongst the northern mediaeval defences of Berwick that
actually saw some action in the Anglo-Scottish wars and bear
witness to the changes in technology from the earliest ditch
defence to the 16th century bastions.The tour takes in Spades Mire,
Bell Tower and Lords Mount.Follows on from the Berwick Castle
tour.Opening TimesSaturday: 1130, 1530Access InformationUneven
ground, slopes and steps involved.Additional informationPark at
railway station car park and walk to Berwick Holiday Camp entrance
along Northumberland Avenue.DirectionsMeet at entrance to Berwick
Holiday Camp.From Castlegate, turn east along Northumberland
Avenue.11.GEORGIAN BERWICKRavensdowne/Quay Walls,
Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DFWhat was once called Rotten Row was
transformed into Ravensdowne in the 18th century. Many of the
houses here were populated by Berwicks wealthier citizens.This walk
will take you down this quiet back street and then to the
magnifcent Georgian Quay Walls which were built by merchants but
also were home to the artist Thomas Sword Good (17891872).Discover
more family histories and architectural gems with local Archivist
Linda Bankier. The tour lasts from 1-1.5 hours.Opening
TimesSunday:1500Access InformationLimited access. The tour fnishes
with an exploration of a house which entails stairs.DirectionsMeet
at Parade car park near Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed,TD15
1DFPre-booking requiredBerwick Tourist Information CentreTel:01670
622155Email:[email protected] to: 106
Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1BN12.GREENSES
ARABS AND FISH TALESHigh Greens, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1JXFThe
Greenses is so called because until the 19th century, although
located within the towns medieval walls, much of the land was still
open feld. From the 18th century, herring fshing was the main
occupation for the men of The Greenses during the summer months. In
the winter, the fshermen turned to catching cod and haddock with
long lines. Every day, each line with up to 720 hooks were baited
with mussels and limpets collected and put on the hooks by the
womenfolk. Crabs and lobsters were also caught, using pots known
locally as creeves. The locals were called Greenses Arabs on
account of the mens beards and swarthy complexions acquired from
putting to sea in all weathers.Join local Archivist Linda Bankier
as she leads you on a short walk to discover the stories of the
families that lived and worked in the cottages and smokehouses of
the Greenses. The tour lasts from 1-1.5 hours.Opening
TimesSaturday:1500DirectionsMeet at corner of High Greens and Bell
Tower Place, Berwick-upon-Tweed,TD15 1JXFPre-booking
requiredBerwick Tourist Information CentreTel:01670
622155Email:[email protected] to: 106
Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1BN13.GUNPOWDER
MAGAZINEBerwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1JGThis purpose-built ammunition
store was constructed in 1751 to provide safe storage of explosives
required by the garrison at the nearby Barracks.There had been a
previous magazine on this site as early as 1682.The new magazine
incorporated features designed to ensure protection against damp
and potential explosion.The main internal safety feature is the
total absence of iron.All catches, hinges, bolts, etc are made of
copper and the woodwork is joined by wooden plugs instead of nails
to avoid any possibility of a spark igniting the gunpowder.Among
the interesting internal features are the original wooden racks,
furnished with facsimile 18th century gunpowder casks.Also still in
place is the wooden hoist, which runs the length of the ceiling and
was used to raise barrels from carts outside the building to the
hatch above the rear door and lower them into place on the storage
racks.Opening TimesSaturday: 10001600Sunday:10001600Access
InformationSome steps and uneven ground.DirectionsThe Gunpowder
Magazine is on the Elizabethan walls near the Lions House
allotments.From Ravensdowne, go up the steps to the right of Villa
Spice and along the path.14.HOLY TRINITY CHURCHWallace Green,
Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD5 1EDHoly Trinity Church is a building of
exceptional historic importance because it is a very rare example
of a church built during the Commonwealth period.When George
Fenwick was Governor of Berwick in the 17th century, funds were
raised to build the church using stone and timber from the disused
castle and was completed in 1652.It has no tower or steeple,
reputedly at the express orders of Oliver Cromwell.Alterations that
have taken place over the years have been sympathetic and the
building is full of historical and architectural interest.In recent
years a Millennium window has been installed and the organ has been
restored.Opening TimesSaturday: Tours on the hour 10001600 (last
tour 1500)15.KINGS OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS MUSEUMBerwick Barracks,
Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DGIn 1682, a Main Guard building
stood in front of the Town Hall. By 1725, it had been moved up
Marygate to a site opposite West Street. However, complaints about
its location led to a new Main Guard being built in 1743. It has
long been believed that in 1815 this building was dismantled and
rebuilt in its present position but recent research has shown it to
be a new construction. There are two main rooms in the building,
one for the offcer of the guard and the other for the soldiers.
Between them is a prison cell or black hole where drunks and
vagrants could be locked up. Each night, patrols would set out to
enforce the curfew. The Main Guard is now the headquarters of
Berwick Civic Society. It contains two exhibitions, the recently
revised The Story of a Border Garrison Town and Welfare, Beveridge
and Berwick.Opening TimesSaturday: 10001600Sunday:10001600Access
InformationSteps throughout.16.MAIN GUARDPalace Street,
Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1HNIn 1682, a Main Guard building stood in
front of the Town Hall. By 1725, it had been moved up Marygate to a
site opposite West Street. However, complaints about its location
led to a new Main Guard being built in 1743. It has long been
believed that in 1815 this building was dismantled and rebuilt in
its present position but recent research has shown it to be a new
construction. There are two main rooms in the building, one for the
offcer of the guard and the other for the soldiers. Between them is
a prison cell or black hole where drunks and vagrants could be
locked up. Each night, patrols would set out to enforce the curfew.
The Main Guard is now the headquarters of Berwick Civic Society. It
contains two exhibitions, the recently revised The Story of a
Border Garrison Town and Guild and GovernorsThe Governance of
Berwick.Opening TimesSaturday: 10001600Sunday:11001700Access
InformationA wheelchair ramp is used to access a couple of steps to
the entrance.DirectionsThe Main Guard is located just off the town
walls at the south end of the Quay Walls and behind Wellington
Terrace.17. MASONIC HALLChurch Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15
1ETSt Davids Masonic Lodge was formed in 1828 and this year the
Lodge will have their records on display as part of the Berwick 900
celebrations so that people in the town can see if any of their
ancestors were Freemasons. Freemasonry in Berwick is long
established and in 1872 the present site was bought for 1300.
Memorabilia within the Temple includes 2 chairs dated 1641 and
1733. These items of Berwick Freemasonry are set against what is
perhaps the most interesting aspect of any visit, the splendid
surroundings of the Temple itself with its array of exquisite
furnishings. One of very few purpose built Victorian Masonic Halls
in existence it is one of the hidden treasures of Berwick. Its huge
disappearing stained glass window is particularly fascinating
whilst its massive pipe organ was installed in 1897. The Brethren
of the Lodge will be in attendance to answer questions you have
about the building or Freemasonry itself.Opening TimesSaturday:
10001600Access InformationThe Temple is upstairs so help may be
needed for those with walking diffculties.DirectionsOpposite the
Church of Scotland in Wallace Green and the Parade car
park.18.NORTHSTARSt Marys, Castlegate, Berwick upon Tweed,TD15
1JXThe word shiel refers to the seasonal accommodation used by
fshermen or herdsmen and can be found in place names such as
Galashiels and North Shields. The salmon fshing season lasts from
1st February until 30 November. The shiels were equipped with bunks
and freplaces and were also used as storage for the fshing gear.
Sandstell shiel is a Grade II listed building. Records of its
existence go back to 1735 and it is the only surviving unmodernised
example of this type of building on the Tweed. It contains an
exhibition on the history of Tweed salmon fshing.Opening
TimesSaturday: 1000-1600DirectionsThe Northstar Centre is located
behind the old St Marys church by the War Memorial on
Castlegate.19.OLD COASTGUARD STATIONCommanding superlative views of
the beautiful north Northumberland coast, the Old Coastguard Tower
was built in 1964 but four years later, was closed down and became
derelict.In 2002, Coastwatch UK, a national organisation took over
the building. Local volunteers now man the station every weekend
and act as extra eyes for HM Coastguard, HM Customs and Excise and
the Police. Over the years they have reported 367 incidents.Members
of the public are invited into this small building to talk to the
volunteers about the work they do and see the local
wildlife.Opening TimesFriday:1000-1600Saturday:
1000-1600Sunday:1000-1600Access InformationAccess to the tower is
along a short clifftop path. Access to the upper foor of the tower
is by a steep ladder.DirectionsThe Old Coastguard Station is
located on the cliffs near Magdalene Fields Golf Course clubhouse
(TD15 1NE). Drivers; to the north of the clubhouse, park in the
small clifftop car park. Walkers approaching from the town centre
should walk through Cow Gate in the town walls and walk along the
path to the side of a deep ditch running towards the cliffs. If
approaching from the north, just follow the clifftop paths.20.THE
OLD GAOLWallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1EDIn 1836, the
newly created Town Council was informed by the Mayor, Sheriff and
Justices of the Peace of the utter insuffciency of the gaol in the
Guildhall, especially as regards security and room for separating
prisoners and that the town might lose its right to hold a Quarter
Sessions Court if immediate action was not taken. The Town Council
agreed in principle to build a new gaol but plans were not approved
until 1844. In 1878, the building ceased to operate as a gaol and
the Town Council then purchased it from the Police Commission and
used it as a Court House/Police Station until c.1890. It was then
sold to the Urban Sanitary Authority who made various alterations
to the inside and constructed a stable block at the back. This work
was completed in 1892 and since then the building has continued its
existence as administrative offces for the Council.Opening
TimesSaturday: 10301300 with tours every half hour.Last tour
1300.Access InformationSteps throughout building.21.PALACE GREEN
PAVILIONPalace Green, Berwick-upon-TweedThis charming 19th century
building was built as a Subscription Reading Room.The exact date
that building commenced is not known but the central building is
thought to date to about 1830.The Bowling Green and News Room is
listed in the Berwick-upon-Tweed Corporation Act of 1843.At this
time the property was owned by the Corporation and would have been
leased or rented to the users.A billiard room was added in the
1850s.For the last 100 years it has been used by the local Scout
Movement.Join the 5th Berwick Scouts as they celebrate their
centenary with exhibitions of the building and
Scouting.Refreshments available.Opening TimesSaturday:
10001600Sunday:1000160022.SPITTAL FISHING SHIELSandstell Road,
Spittal, Berwick-upon-TweedThe word shiel refers to the seasonal
accommodation used by fshermen or herdsmen and can be found in
place names such as Galashiels and North Shields.The salmon fshing
season lasts from 1st February until 30 November.The shiels were
equipped with bunks and freplaces and were also used as storage for
the fshing gear.Sandstell shiel is a Grade II listed
building.Records of its existence go back to 1735 and it is the
only surviving unmodernised example of this type of building on the
Tweed.It contains an exhibition on the history of Tweed salmon
fshing.Opening TimesSaturday: 10001500Sunday:1000150023.ST ANDREWS
CHURCHWallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1EBThe foundation
stone for this building was laid on 1858 and the church opened in
1859. This was the result of a group of worshippers getting
permission from the Secession Church in Edinburgh to open a chapel
in the town in 1770, at frst in a granary on Bankhill and then a
year later in Golden Square. This eventually proved too small and
in 1854 a new building, Wallace Green Church, was proposed. A
second Church of Scotland came into being in 1879 with the
amalgamation of the Low and High Meeting Houses. This became known
as St Andrews Church of Scotland which moved into a new building
(now demolished) in Greenside Avenue in 1897. In December 1972 the
congregation of Tweedmouth Presbyterian Church of Scotland joined
them. The two churches were eventually joined together to form the
present congregation of St Andrews, Wallace Green in 1987.Opening
TimesSaturday: 1000 1600Access InformationWheelchair access via
side ramp.24.THE TOWER TOURNess Gate, Pier Road,
Berwick-upon-Tweed500 years in 500 yards! Discover the archaeology,
history and secrets of Berwicks medieval walls on this
short-distance guided tour overlooking the River Tweed.Includes
entrance to Coxons Tower and New Tower.Opening TimesSunday:Tours
1000, 1130Access InformationWalk is along surfaced paths but access
to towers via some steps and uneven ground.DirectionsMeet above the
Ness Gate at Pier Road on the town walls overlooking the river.