Berwick Hotel, or B&B on the Walls

Berwick-upon-Tweed Now Has a 5-star Guest House on the City Walls

Sep 8, 2008
Mike Gerrard

Berwick-upon-Tweed - Donna Dailey

As an alternative to a hotel in Berwick, The Walls b&b/guesthouse on the city walls has 5-star comfort in its three boutique-style luxurious rooms with harbour views.

There are surprisingly few Berwick hotels. This compact Northumberland town, famous for its city walls and only a mile or so from the Scottish border, is more blessed with a wide choice of guesthouses and b&bs, ranging from cheap and cheerful to luxurious 5-star comfort. One of the newer bed and breakfasts is The Walls guest house, situated right on Berwick's ancient city walls.

The Walls is a superb, city townhouse on the Quay Walls, recently refurbished by its new owners to a very high degree of comfort. Soon after opening it was rated as 4-star quality by EnjoyEngland (aka the English Tourist Board), and on its second inspection in mid-2008 its rating was increased to a 5-star standard.

The Rooms

The Walls has only three rooms, all of them large and all of them facing the harbour. From the windows it's possible to watch the salmon fishermen with their boats, see seals and otters swimming, or just kick back and watch the tide come and go where the River Tweed flows out into the sea.

All the bedrooms are large with ensuite bathrooms, and tastefully decorated with simple, elegant touches – fresh flowers, thick draped curtains, ceiling roses. Two rooms are described as king-sized, and the third room is a super king-sized, with an adjacent family room that can also be used if needed.

Facilities

Free wifi is available throughout the house, and there are wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with cable, bedside chocolates, free bottled water, tea and coffee making facilities, and luxury toiletries. There is also a large lounge for guests to enjoy, with a great deal of literature on Berwick and the attractions of the local area, and a fridge.

The price includes breakfast, which can be a full cooked Northumberland breakfast, local kippers, or delicious fishcakes made by owner Eric Deighton, who runs the guesthouse with his wife Suzanne and their daughter Gemma.

Things to Do

Berwick's city walls make a popular walk, giving great views over the town and also of the harbour.
The Lowry Trail links together places painted by artist LS Lowry, who visited Berwick-upon-Tweed for many years. Plaques showing copies of some of his paintings have been erected in the spots where he painted them.
The 18th-century Town Hall is a splendid building, also painted by LS Lowry, with tours available.
There are walking tours of the town, which can be booked from the Tourist Information Centre
The Berwick Gymnasium Art Gallery, by the city walls with changing exhibitions
The Berwick Barracks, now a regimental museum.
Day trips to nearby attractions including the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Dunstanburgh Castle, The Farne Islands, Chillingham Wild White Cattle, Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, and many other options.