The property is a short drive to the north/south A1. Holy Island is a 10 minute drive south. Just a little further is Bamburgh- the ancient capital of Northumberland, Seahouses with boat trips to the Farne Islands and Alnwick Castle and Garden. Rothbury where Cragside House is a very pleasant 30 minute drive through the beautiful Glendale Valley.
There is excellent access to the Scottish Borders gems such as Paxton House, Abbotsford House, the once home of Sir Walter Scott and the market towns of Melrose, Kelso with it’s racecourse and Floors Castle- home of the Dukes of Roxburghe. Heading north Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city is only a 60 minute drive or 45 minute direct train journey on the east coast main line from Berwick upon Tweed.
Within walking distance
Cocklawburn Beach: One of the Top 50 Best Beaches in the UK in, “The Times” and, “The Sunday Times” 2025. Walk down the lane to this hidden gem. “Cocklawburn has all the features of your standard Northumbrian beach — vast sands, limestone reefs (or “skerrs” as they’re known in Northumberland), rock pools and ruins — but its bizarre geology makes it stand out. At low tide you’ll see hundreds of bulbous “concretions”, like fossilised dinosaur eggs, resulting from chemical reactions 300 million years ago when the rocks were still submerged mud. The corrugated seabed is so uniform you would think a knuckle-dragging giant must have done it, rather than sand abrasion as scientists would have you believe. There’s easy fossil hunting in the siltstones north of the car park. Cocklawburn rocks.”
Good Times Bicycle Hire: A short walk down the lane or delivery by advance order for E Bikes, Hybrid and mountain bikes. https://www.goodtimesbikehire.co.uk/
Pot-a-Doodle-Do at Borewell Farm: Cafe serving hot and cold drinks breakfast, lunches, afternoon teas, take out suppers. Shop and Art/Craft Barn, lake Fishing and outdoor children’s play area. www.potadoodledo.com
Cheswick and Goswick Sands: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Lindisfarne Nature Reserve. One of the largest golden sandy beaches in Northumberland, arguably the best. The sands stretch for 9 miles with views of the Scottish Border, the Elizabethan walls of Berwick upon Tweed,the Cheviot Hills, Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle. www.northumberland-beaches.co.uk/cheswick-sands
Go Outdoors Store and Marshall’s Cafe with excellent reputation for home cooked breakfasts, pies, quiches lunches, sit in or take away.
Coast and Castle Cycling Route 1: A short ride to the 100 or so miles of shoreline cycling through Northumbrian fishing villages, past vast sandy beaches. The coastline is dotted with ancient castles such as Warkworth, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne.
Walking: . Stunning coastal walks from the cottage. Walk to Cocklawburn beach, along the England Coast path to the tidal causeway and the Pilgrims Way walking route over the vast sands to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. REMEMBER to check tide times! See: https://holyislandcrossingtimes.northumberland.gov.uk/Return on foot or 477 bus to Scremerston Memorial bus stop, twenty yards from the cottage. See: https://glenvalley.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Service-477-Public-Timetable-and-Journey-Details-1.pdf
Berwick upon Tweed: 5 minute drive, bus ride or 20 minute walk. England’s most northerly town surrounded by dramatic walls bordered the River Tweed Estuary- home to the second largest colony of mute swans in the UK. Berwick had a tempestuous history being sacked 13 times before finally falling into English hands in 1482. The Royal Border Bridge spans the River Tweed, designed by Robert Stephenson, opened by Queen Victoria in 1850. Wonderful 45 minute circular walk on the Town Walls offering fine views of the town, the River Tweed and coast towards Lindisfarne. The L.S. Lowry Trail showcases paintings and information on Berwick. Lowry painted numerous scenes of the town whilst on holiday, he very nearly moved to Berwick, he so loved the town. www.visitberwick.com
Berwick is incredibly well serviced:
LNER and Cross Country Main Line Train Station: Trains to Edinburgh direct into the centre of the capital in 45 minutes and to Newcastle upon Tyne in 50 minutes or London in 3.45 hours and the south west.
The Maltings Theatre, Cinema and Cafe/Restaurant: www.maltingsberwick.co.uk
Places Leisure Centre: https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/berwick-sports-and-leisure-centre/ Has a large swimming pool, state of the art spa and gym. It’s a two minute drive away.
King’s Own Scottish Borders Museum: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/berwick-upon-tweed-castle-and-ramparts/
Berwick Boat Trips: Trips to the Chain Bridge, in the Estuary and out to sea in search of seals and dolphins. www.berwickboattrips.co.uk
Towerhouse Pottery: Beautiful ceramics. www.towerhousepottery.com
Magdalene Fields Golf Club: Berwick upon Tweed. www.magdalene-fields.co.uk
Wilson Cycles on Bridge Street: For bike fitting, hire, maintenance and sales.
Shopping: Marks and Spencer Foodhall, ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi
Berwick Garden Centre: At East Ord roundabout with an extensive gift shop and excellent cafe. www.berwickgardencentre.co.uk
Eating Out:
Mavi Turkish restaurant https://www.maviturkishrestaurant.co.uk/
Atelier https://www.atelier.cafe/
Audela Fine Dining https://audela.co.uk/
Limoncello Italian https://www.limoncellorestaurantberwick.com/
Magna Tandoori http://magnatandooriberwick.co.uk/
Foxton’s Wine Bar and Restaurant https://www.foxtonswinebar.com/
Royal Garden Chinese http://theroyalgarden.co.uk/
Plus many cafes and coffee shops.
Within 5 miles
Chain Bridge Honey Farm and Visitor Centre: www.chainbridgehoney.co.uk
Paxton House: A Georgian masterpiece designed by John and James Adam. Tours, boat trips, playground, tearoom and shop. www.paxtonhouse.com
Most Northerly Border point: The border between England and Scotland.
Within 10 miles (10-15 minute drive)
On the Northumberland Coast:
Holy Island of Lindisfarne
www.lindisfarne.org.uk
The unique and beautiful tidal island was sacked by the Vikings and became the Cradle of Celtic Christianity under Saints Aidan and Cuthbert. Visitors today can enjoy looking around the Priory, Lindisfarne Castle and the Lindisfarne Centre which houses an exhibition on the Lindisfarne Gospels.
The island is a National Nature Reserve and is located within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is possible to walk to the island over the sands at low tide guided by the, “Pilgrims Way” markers. There are wonderful circular walks on the island that include sandy beaches on the quieter northern side of the island and the working harbour to the south. At low tide grey seals may be seen on the sand banks or swimming in the harbour at high tide. The island is a birdwatcher’s paradise and an important feeding area for Canadian Brent Geese. No trip to the island is complete without tasting Lindisfarne Mead that is made on the island.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/lindisfarne-priory/
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lindisfarne-castle/
The Barn at Beal: Cafe/restaurant, outdoor terrace with fabulous views towards Lindisfarne
www.thebarnatbeal.com
Inland:
Ford and Etal Villages: www.ford-and-etal.co.uk
Heatherslaw: Working Mill, shop and Narrow Gauge Railway. www.heatherslawlightrailway.co.uk
Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre: www.hayfarmheavies.co.uk/hay-farm
Kimmerston Riding School: www.kimmerston.com
Saint Cuthbert’s Cave National Trust Walk: www.visitnorthumberland.com/itineraries/st-cuthbert-s-cave
Chillingham Castle: “Britian’s most haunted historic castle”. www.chillingham-castle.com
Wild Beasts of Chillingham: Near to Chatton Village and art gallery. www.chillingham-castle.com/wild-cattle/
Norham Village and Castle ruins: Home to Forman’s traditional Butchers, Game Dealer, Cheese specialist and Wine Merchants. www.borderbutcher.co.uk
Scottish Borders:
Eyemouth: Working harbour, fish markets and Maritime Centre, Gunsgreen House www.gunsgreenhouse.org and Giacopazzi ice cream and fish and chips.
St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve (National trust for Scotland): Breaktaking coastal headland famed for it’s seabird colonies. www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head
Within 20 miles (20-30 minute drive) - Northumberland
Bamburgh: This coastal village was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria. The village is dominated by the magnificent Castle and long stretch of golden sands that stretch to Budle Bay in the North and Seahouses in the South. The churchyard is the resting place of Victorian heroine Grace Darling and there is a museum in the village that tells her story. The village also offers several good dining pubs and restaurants. www.bamburgh.org.uk
Bamburgh Castle: www.bamburghcastle.com
Grace Darling Museum: http://rnli.org/shorething/discover/gracedarling/Pages/Grace-Darling-story.aspx
Church: www.staidan-bamburgh.co.uk
Seahouses Harbour and the Farne Islands: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands www.farne-islands.com
Ross Links Beach and Budle Bay
Over 20 miles highlights - Northumberland
Craster: Harbour for Robson’s Kippers. www.kipper.co.uk
Dunstanburgh Castle: Walk along the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstanburgh-castle
Mick Oxley Art Gallery in Craster: www.mickoxley.com
Howick Hall and Gardens: The ancestral home of the Lords Grey.
Alnwick: Ancient market town at the heart of Northumberland. Alnwick Castle has been home to the Dukes and Duchesses of Northumberland- the Percy Family for over 700 years. The castle featured in the Harry Potter movies and the town has been filmed this summer for the television series, “Vera.” The current Duchess of Northumberland has over the last decade created and developed The Alnwick Garden, a fantastic attraction that includes a tree house restaurant!
www.alnwickcastle.com
www.alnwickgarden.com
Barter Books: www.barterbooks.co.uk
Amble Marina, Spurreli: For amazing ice cream. www.spurreli.com
Walkworth Castle: www.englishheritage.org.uk
Cragside: The home of Lord Armstrong. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside
Kielder Water and Forest Park: www.visitkielder.com
Over 20 miles - Scottish Borders
The Big houses of the Borders:
Floors Castle, gardens and cafe: The largest inhabited castle in Scotland and family home of the Dukes of Roxburghe. www.floorscastle.com
Coldstream: The Hirsel Estate, shops, cafe and country walks.
Traquair: Scotland’s Oldest inhabited House. www.traquair.co.uk
Abbotsford: The home of Sir Walter Scott. www.scottsabbotsford.co.uk
Mellerstain House and Gardens: www.mellerstain.com
Bowhill House and Country Estate: The magnificent country home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and home to part of the famous Buccleuch art collection. www.bowhillhouse.co.uk
Activities – Walking in Northumberland:
Guided Walks in Northumberland with Patrick Norris: www.footstepsnorthumberland.co.uk
Independent walking guides: www.northumberland-walks.co.uk
Edinburgh, Scotland’s Capital City, “Athens of the North”
45 minute direct train ride from Berwick upon Tweed or a 60 minute car journey, famous for the annual Festival in August and the Christmas Markets.
