Day 6 - Wednesday 6 November 2024
Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed (12.4 miles)
Just as we were about to catch the bus to Fenwick along came a lovely Chocolate Working Cocker Spaniel called Belle. It seemed an amazing coincidence that we had bumped into a dog like Fudge on both the start and finish days.
The bus from Belford dropped us off on the A1 just below the village of Fenwick. The route crosses the A1 and heads down to Fenwick Granary. We would now follow The St Cuthbert's Way as far as Holy Island's Causeway. We were very familiar with this section as we had walked it during our St Cuthbert's Way walk in 2020 - a journal of that walk can be found here.
Passing Fenwick Granary Farmhouse. Once a rundown former smallholding, the buildings have been renovated and now provide luxury accommodation plus is home to a fragrance company.
Leaving the minor road, a path on the left heads towards a disused quarry
The western embankment of the East Coast main railway line at Fenham Hill. The route crosses the line where there is a telephone either side of the track which is linked to the signal box at Tweedmouth near Berwick. This is to be used in order to receive permission to cross the line. Once the line is crossed safely, you are also required to inform the signalman that you have done so...................
............. and this is why
Approaching the causeway to Holy Island are two lines of concrete blocks which were part of the WW2 coastal defences
The start of the road to Holy Island complete with large Lego Bricks which have been placed here in order to discourage people from parking on the causeway
Looking to Holy Island from the start of the causeway. The line of poles to the right mark The Pilgrim's Path over to Holy Island.
A few hundred yards from the causeway we met "Sweetie", a very friendly Chocolate Lab
Heading around Beal Point
Crossing the sluice bridge over South Low
Heading along Goswick Sands
Passing Goswick Sands Range Tower
During the last war this area was highlighted as the likeliest area of attack by the German Forces from their bases in Norway therefore it was highly defended. This observation tower was built along with other similar towers in the area from 1941 when the vast expanse of beach at Goswick Sands was utilised as a ground attack range by allied fighter-bombers flying out of Millfield Airfield near Wooler in Typhoons and resulted in a plethora of ordnance buried in the beaches, much of it unexploded. Through time this found its way to the surface and in 2009 seven 500lb devices were discovered here not far from the Holy Island causeway. They were found by an RAF disposal team which works in the area to detect live wartime ordnance and disposed of in 4 separate explosions.
During the last war this area was highlighted as the likeliest area of attack by the German Forces from their bases in Norway therefore it was highly defended. This observation tower was built along with other similar towers in the area from 1941 when the vast expanse of beach at Goswick Sands was utilised as a ground attack range by allied fighter-bombers flying out of Millfield Airfield near Wooler in Typhoons and resulted in a plethora of ordnance buried in the beaches, much of it unexploded. Through time this found its way to the surface and in 2009 seven 500lb devices were discovered here not far from the Holy Island causeway. They were found by an RAF disposal team which works in the area to detect live wartime ordnance and disposed of in 4 separate explosions.
A small riding party making use of the quiet beaches of Goswick Sands
Another sluice bridge to cross, this time over North Low
Berwick in the far distance now as we head along Cheswick Sands
Cheswick Black Rocks
Cheswick Black Rocks at Far Skerr
Our first climb of the day at Far Skerr
Far Skerr Lime Kiln
Approaching Cocklawburn Beach we passed over some lovely weathered rock
Cocklawburn Beach
Usually popular, we had the place to ourselves today
Sea House at Mill Harbour
Redshin Cove
Approaching the promenade at Spittal with Berwick now within touching distance
Spittal Promenade
The lighthouse & breakwater of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The sandstone breakwater was built between 1810 & 1825 with the lighthouse added in 1826.
The large chimney at Sandstell Point, Spittal
The chimney is the last visible remnant from the Spittal Chemical and Fertiliser Works of the 1950s, run by Fisons Ltd
The chimney is the last visible remnant from the Spittal Chemical and Fertiliser Works of the 1950s, run by Fisons Ltd
It seemed quite appropriate that near the finish we were provided with a fly past from a Royal Navy Merlin Helicopter
Berwick-upon-Tweed Lifeboat Station operates two inshore lifeboats. Since the station was established in 1835, its crews have been presented with nine awards for gallantry.
The painter L S Lowry (1887 - 1976) was a frequent visitor to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The Berwick Lowry Trail identifies the sites of many of his finest paintings and drawings of the town and allows the visitor to follow in his footsteps. Altogether Lowry produced a fascinating group of more than thirty drawings and paintings of the Berwick area.
The Berwick Lowry Trail identifies the sites of many of his finest paintings and drawings of the town and allows the visitor to follow in his footsteps. Altogether Lowry produced a fascinating group of more than thirty drawings and paintings of the Berwick area.
Approaching Berwick we bumped into a lovely Cocker Spaniel called Lottie
The harbour at Berwick
Berwick Bridge
Also known as the Old Bridge, the structure spans the River Tweed. The bridge is Grade 1 listed and was built between 1611 and 1624.
Also known as the Old Bridge, the structure spans the River Tweed. The bridge is Grade 1 listed and was built between 1611 and 1624.
The Old Bridge looking to Berwick.
The finishing point of the Northumberland Coast Path is on the far side of the river roughly centre of shot.
The finishing point of the Northumberland Coast Path is on the far side of the river roughly centre of shot.
The mouth of the River Tweed with Spittal Chimney in the far distance
The Royal Tweed Bridge from the Old Bridge. This road bridge is also known as the "New Bridge" and was constructed between 1925 & 1928.
The finish point of the Northumberland Coast Path
The two of us, Duck and a picture of our boy at the finish in Berwick-upon-Tweed
Nothing to see here - just a wooden carving of a fox with his glasses on reading a book.
The fox was carved in remembrance of Dr Simon Heald who was the proprietor of the nearby Slightly Foxed Bookshop
The fox was carved in remembrance of Dr Simon Heald who was the proprietor of the nearby Slightly Foxed Bookshop
After a hot drink and a piece of cake in one of Berwick's many cafes, we caught the bus back to Belford. Seated on the bus with his owner was a cute little 11 week old Cockerpoo called Wolfie.
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Day 6 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
12.4 miles
71.8 miles 5hrs 55mins 902ft (275m) |