Berwick Castle (Northumberland)

Introduction

The remains of a medieval castle crucial to Anglo-Scottish warfare, superceded by the most complete and breathtakingly impressive bastioned town defences in England, mainly Elizabethan but updated in the 17th and 18th centuries. Surrounding the whole historic town, their entire circuit can be walked. This site is maintained by English Heritage.

Open all year round at any reasonable time.

History to the present day

Begun in the 12th century, few castles can have seen as much military action and changed hands as frequently as Berwick. Over the centuries that England and Scotland were in conflict, the castle was a key objective for the armies of both nations. From 1296 when Edward I of England successfully besieged the Scottish castle at Berwick until the end of hostilities between the two countries, ownership of the castle changed frequently.

In later years the castle ruins were used as a quarry, providing stone for the adjacent Royal Border Bridge and the town barracks, and a large part, including the Great Hall, was cleared to make space for the railway station. The main surviving remnant is the White Wall that descends from the railway to the banks of the River Tweed. Built in 1297, it guards a steep flight of steps known as 'Breakneck Stairs'.

Arrival information and how to find us

The castle is adjacent to Berwick railway station, west of the town centre. It is also accessible from river bank.