📌 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
★★★
Berwick-upon-Tweed‘s Elizabethan ramparts are a fascinating yet easily forgotten attraction, completely encircling the town centre and walkable in their entirety. After decades of swapping between English and Scottish control, Berwick became permanently English in 1482. With the Scots an ever-present threat, fortifications were strengthened during the reigns of Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I, resulting in some of the strongest defences ever seen in any English (or Scottish) town. The old gates through the walls in several spots are still the only proper access points into the centre apart from two bridges across the River Tweed. The ramparts are cared for by English Heritage, which lumps them together with Berwick Castle in its properties list. This once great building was mostly constructed in Edward I’s reign, but ended up outwith (and obsolete due to the building of) the ramparts. Following quarrying and partial demolition, the last straw was destruction of its Great Hall in 1847 to make way for the town’s railway station. Bits and pieces survive, mostly on the west side of the station where there is a wonderful view across the Tweed and railway viaduct from the ruined walls.
🌍 Location
📌 The ramparts surround the town centre and are accessed at several points including Castlegate and Bridge Terrace. The castle is off the A1167 at the A6105 junction, 10-min walk northwest of Berwick-upon-Tweed town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 993534
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.773653,-2.012959
🚆🚌 Train / bus to Berwick-upon-Tweed
🚗 Car park / street parking depending on access point
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
