The town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is in Northumberland but lies right on the border between England and Scotland. It is, in fact, the northernmost town in England, just a couple of miles from Scotland at the mouth of the River Tweed on the east coast. Along the nearby shoreline are several beaches worthy of a visit and the investment of some of your leisure time. With spectacular sands and stunning views out into the North Sea, there is much to love about this particular part of the north-east. In this edition of our blog we’ll pick out a handful of great Berwick-upon-Tweed beachfronts – easily accessible for you to visit from our very own Elm Bank coastal park.
1. Spittal
Spittal sits close to where the River Tweed meets the North Sea, cornering the estuary just below the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The dog-friendly beach at Spittal is mostly sandy, with a grassy area behind it and an RNLI lifeboat station to the west. Either side of the beach is a great spot to relax, birdwatch or even seal spot – it’s a popular haunt for these great sea creatures. Head to the end of Sandstell Road and go to the beach or take the coastal footpath south to Spittal Promenade and another area of beach. You will find any facilities you might require in Spittal or back in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
2. Fisherman’s Haven
This wonderful spot is one of the finest beaches in Berwick-upon-Tweed. It has a very clean and picturesque sandy beach backed by rocks and low-rise cliffs. Fishermans Haven is just a short walk to the north of Berwick, with a choice of paths down to the beach. It is a great spot for wildlife-spotters with various breeds of bird often seen around the beach (ringed plovers, eider ducks and oystercatchers) around the beach. Like Spittal, seal-spotting is possible out to sea, though you may also be lucky enough to catch sight of dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks! Parking is available on the nearby cliff-tops, and Fisherman’s Haven beach is dog-friendly so you will be able to give your pooch a pleasurable walk.
3. Cocklawburn
This sand and rock beach features grassy dunes (which, in the summer, bloom with wild flowers), and is a real rural gem. It lies south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, on the North Sea coast, down towards the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. It’s dog-friendly and a popular spot for walkers, with the Northumberland Coast Path nearby. On clear days it’s possible to glimpse Holy Island itself (aka Lindisfarne) as well as Bamburgh Castle to the south. Cocklawburn is a great spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers, with surfers and kite surfers also getting plenty out of their visits here.
4. Cheswick Sands
Perhaps the most expansive beach along the coast of this part of Northumberland, if not the whole region, Cheswick Sands is the perfect spot for anyone looking for some peace amidst nature. It’s very close to Cocklawburn (to the north) with a vast expanse of white duned beach offering the most spectacular views in any direction. On a clear day you can see north all the way to the Scottish border, with views to the south of Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle. Dogs are welcome at Cheswick Sands, which has some free parking at the small car park on the road from Cheswick, or at the roadside.
5. Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick itself has a terrific sandy beach to the north of the mouth of the Tweed (separated from the beach by a pier and lighthouse). From Berwick-upon-Tweed beach it is actually possible to travel across the border into Scotland by walking along the coast! A car park near the end of the pier has direct access to the beach, which is a popular spot for walking and fishing. Dogs are allowed so, again, this is a great spot to exercise your four-legged friend.
There are some truly wonderful locations to visit when you are at our private static caravan park, Elm Bank – including the beaches mentioned here. With spectacular sea views and an abundance of nature to observe, the Northumberland coast near Berwick-upon-Tweed is all about relaxation and perfectly complements Elm Bank with a fresh air and open space vibe for a great quality of life.