Berwick upon Tweed is the most northern town in England. It is on England’s east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It lies just two and a half miles from the Scottish border.
Berwick is a market town and for many years, in the 11th century, played a strategic part in the wars between Scotland and England.
The architecture reflects the towns defences one of these is a very good example of the rampart walls left in the country.
Most of Berwick Castle was unfortunately demolished to make way for the railway in the 1800’s.
The Military Barracks remain and contain three museums. This was the first building of its kind in Britain and building started in 1717.
The town can easily be accessed via the A1. The old A1 passes through Berwick town but the new A1 circles the town to the west.
The town has a good selection of shops including Streetmonkey, 5 – 12, Aura, Pride and Joy, Happit, Syle, Evans M & Co, New Look, Grahams Fashionwear and Burton Menswear with department stores like Robertson’s Co-op and Woolworths.
Property for rent is available in Berwick at an average cost of £600pcm for a 3 bed flat, £500pcm for a 2 bed flat and £350pcm for a l bed flat.
The town’s economy today includes salmon fishing, shipbuilding, engineering, saw milling, fertiliser production and the manufacture of tweed and hosiery.
Around 60% of the towns population is employed in the service sector this includes shops, hotels, catering, financial services, health care and most governmental jobs. 13% are employed in manufacturing, 10% in agriculture and 8% in construction.
Close to the town is Conundrum Farm; the Dudgeon family have worked this farm for the past one hundred years. It is a working farm but open to the public with a good selection of rare breed animals. For those visitors wishing to see the newborn animals April to June is the best time to visit.
Also on site at the farm is a fishery for fly-fishing only. There is an abundance of trout here and for about £13 one can fish for 4 hours keeping the first two fish caught and returning the rest to the waters.
Berwick football and rugby teams are unusual because although the town is in England they both play in the Scottish Leagues because of the proximity of the town. It is further north than several of the Scottish clubs.
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