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English travelers look out over the sheep fields towards Lindisfarne Castle The city of Berwick-Upon-Tweed is one of the most heavily fought over towns in English and Scottish history
I got up, packed my things, left my hostel room key at reception and left for Berwick-Upon-Tweed back in England. The train from Inverness to Edinburgh was four hours long. Once I was in the Scottish capital, it was easy to find my connection.
I’m getting pretty good at reading the train boards and knowing what train and what carriage to be on in order to get to my destination. Having arrrived in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, I dropped my bag off at Miranda’s Guest House and set off to walk along the 16th century walls built by Queen Elizabeth I.
The enormous earthwork walls surrounding the entire medieval town are some of the oldest found anywhere in Britain. The magnificent walls started with a series of well fortified earthworks and finished with walls overlooking the seaside.
After finishing my mile walk along the walls, I checked the tide tables for my trip out to Holy Island and the Lindisfarne Abbey. Holy Island, known also as Lindisfarne, is one of the earliest known Christain sites in Great Britain.
In order to visit the island off the coast of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, one has to understand the tide tables because the ocean will flood the road at high tide. Travelers have been known to get stranded on the island, taking an impromptu stay at the Lindisfarne Hotel.
From its original earthworks, the mile long walk along Berwick-Upon-Tweed's perimeter leads you into Elizabeth I's mega fortifications
Berwick-Upon-Tweed is a sleepy medieval town that boasts incredible English and Scottish history
While walking the streets of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, one can find many hidden treasures as well as spectacular views over the river valley
While there aren't many historical sights to see in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, travelers visit the town for the mile long walk along the medieval walls
The next day, I woke uo early, got ready and enjoyed a full English breakfast consisting of one egg, sausage, tomatoes, beans, mushrooms, bacon and tea. If you are in England, blood pudding is on the menu. I made the mistake of asking what it was–fried pigs blood–but ate it anyways.
At exactly 9:05, I was waiting at the bus that would take me over the causeway to Lindisfarne. After crossing the dry causeway, I saw the ruins of the 12th century Lindisfarne priory where the Lindisfarne Gospels were written centuries before.
Lindisfarne Priory, built in the 12th century, was the site where the incredible Lindisfarne Gospels were created
The graveyard that exists behind the ancient ruins of the priory
After visiting the priory, I took the mile long walk to the imposing castle on the clifftop, aptly known as Lindisfarne Castle. The guidebook said to skip touring it, but I decided to waste my money anyways. Seemingly strange, there are castles that look more striking from the outside looking up.
Lindisfarne Castle is striking from the outside, but not worth the price to tour the inside
Shot from the top of Lindisfarne Castle, the coastline of Holy Island is windblown and striking
After taking the bus back to Berwick-Upon-Tweed, I walked the rest of the way around the walls to the ruins of Berwick Castle. Berwick Castle lies under the current train station and was the location where Robert the Bruce’s legitimacy to the throne of Scotland was passed to puppet John Balliol.
I enjoyed having the opportunity to walk down by the River Tweed and by the old Victorian bridge. That night, I had the worst meal of my trip. Peas and wet fish and chips. Gross. Tomorrow I’m grabbing a train to York.
Once yet another inpregnable castle in England, Berwick Castle now lies as ruins, partly under the train station and down by the quayside.
Visit all my posts from England, Wales and Scotland
Click links to visit the United Kingdom
Bath Spa, England – - – Photos, Stories and Traveling with Krushworth episode
Unravel the mysteries of Stonehenge; wonder at the beauty of majestic Bath Spa
Chepstow, South Wales – - – Photos, Stories and Traveling with Krushworth episode
Guard the secrets of Chepstow Castle; wonder at the majesty of Tintern Abbey
Conwy, North Wales – - – Photos, Stories and Traveling with Krushworth episode
Visit the Castles of North Wales – Conwy Castle, Caernarfon Castle
Edinburgh, Scotland – - – Photos, Stories and Traveling with Krushworth episode
Graveyards and underground catacombs of Edinburgh, Scotland
Inverness, Scotland – - – Photos, Stories and Traveling with Krushworth episode
Soaked by wind ravaged Scottish lochs; trudge through the rainy moors
Berwick, England – - – Photos, Stories and Traveling with Krushworth episode
Walk Berwick-Upon-Tweed’s medieval walls; visit the ruined priory at Lindisfarne
York, England – - – Photos, Stories and Traveling with Krushworth episode
Travel through history to Roman, Viking York; gaze up at the majestic York Minster
Ha good to see you are enjoying the high quality food in the UK
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