In this month’s blog we focus on Berwick Upon Tweed, a beautiful market town in Northumberland and home to Ord House Country Park.
Situated at the mouth of the River Tweed near the border between England and Scotland, Berwick suffered centuries of conflict as control of the town passed between the two countries. Each conflict meant repairs and improvements to the fortifications, culminating in the building of The Elizabethan Walls in 1558. At a mile and a quarter in length, they were the most expensive undertaking of England’s Golden Age. They are still in tact today and are the only example of bastioned town walls in Britain and one of the best preserved in Europe.
It is possible to walk the entire circuit of the town walls with views of the town, coast and river. You can combine this walk with a riverside stroll to Berwick Castle ruins, passing the three impressive bridges over the Tweed.
The Lowry Trail is another excellent walk. Lawrence Stephen Lowry is famous for his ‘matchstick men’ paintings, which include scenes of Berwick’s cobbled streets and seaside. These were painted during his holidays to the town and the trail follows in his footsteps. It is a great way to experience the hidden gems of Berwick!
Family Activities in Berwick
Chain Bridge Honey Farm is another lovely place to visit during your holiday. The farm produces delicious honey, beeswax and high quality, natural, skin care products. A trip to Hay Farm Heavy Horses is a great day for all of the family. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the not for profit centre hopes to raise awareness of the role heavy horses played in our history before mechanical power. As well as horse riding tours, there are lots of rare breed animals to see, including Oxford Sheep, Lincolnshire Longwoods and British Lop Eared Pigs. There is a picnic area and café which provides picnics if you haven’t brought your own, as well as tea, coffee and homemade cakes.
If the weather is nice, Spittal Beach and promenade is a lovely day out. If you are more of a culture vulture – or just hiding from the rain – the town’s excellent assortment of museums and galleries are the answer, with the Barracks Museum Complex and Berwick Watchtower both worthy of your time.
Ord House Country Park
To discover more about Ord House Country Park and the area of Berwick Upon Tweed, visit the Ord House Country Park page on our website. You can also join Ord House Country Park on Facebook by clicking here: www.facebook.com/ordhousecountrypark
Enjoy your holiday,
The Maguire Family.
