Berwick History
Chronology of Berwick History

Walking around the Berwick Walls

There is nothing nicer on a sunny morning than walking around Berwick walls. They are completely intact and offer immense views of the surrounding countryside.

The Elizabethan Walls were built around 1558 and built very similar to the plans of the Lucca Walls in Italy. They were built to keep out the Scots and are virtually complete. Berwick has a very turbulent history and changed hands several times. 

Start at the Scotsgate, which is an Archway over the main road which leadin to Scotland, hence its name. Climb up the steps on your left and proceed left and take time to climb Megs Mount, which takes its name from a cannon called Roaring Meg, which was once positioned there.

You are now standing 100ft above the River Tweed and the view you have of the three bridges and the coastal strip to Holy Island is considered the fines in Northumberland. Leave Megs Mount and walk down Banlkhill where you will pass the statue of Lady Jerningham  then under the Tweed Bridge on towards the riverside and the 17th century Berwick Bridge, or as we call it the Old Bridge. This is about the fifth bridge to occupy the site and was started in 1610 and is a magnificent structure taking 24 years to build. It has 14 pillars each supporting an outlet and the seventh pillar marks the boundary between Berwick and Northumberland and at one time a gate stood there and was locked each evening.

Moving on you see the Quayside and the Chandlery, continue on and you come upon magnificent Georgian architecture represented by some of the finest houses in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Moving on you will see the Main Guard, an early 18th century guardhouse moved to this site in 1815. Wellington Terrace is next which looks out across Saluting Battery, guarding the mouth of the River Tweed with its 13 gun emplacements, where at one time 22 four pounder cannons were mounted. The walls and batteries are much the same at present day. The cannons were taken from the walls after general peace to Edinburgh Castle, but some have been replaced. The Russian cannon situated here was taken from the Crimea and gifted to the town. Through the gun ports you can see the Pier and Lighthouse.

Now walk up Kipper Hill towards Windmill Bastion, passing the Gun Magazine and the Lions House. The next point of interest is the Cow Port which is the only surviving original gate in the wall. The footpath to your right takes you to the Cow Port and Berwick Barracks, home of the Borough Museum and Art Gallery, the Regimental Museum of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and By Beat of Drum, the history of the British Infantryman.

Walk back up the path onto the wall and head towards Brass Bastion, which is an imposing corner defence where part of the original cobbled Sentry Walkway can be seen. This ran along the whole of the Ramparts. Here is the Holy Trinity Parish Church, one of two built during the Commonwealth period of Cromwell.

Near the end of the walls pass the last Bastion, called Cumberland. The cannon inside dates from 1700. Return to Scotsgate and you have a fine view from the wall of Marygate, the main street and the Town Hall.