The Loovre

The Loovre is superbly located for short breaks throughout any season and provides an excellent base to explore the wider Northumberland and Borders area. With the main East Coast Rail Line running through it, Berwick is also an ideal car-free destination served by good local services.

Sitting in a quiet corner of the town centre and within (nearly on!) the Elizabethan Town Walls, this tiny home benefits from excellent amenities right on the doorstep. Starting off on Marygate, the town’s main street, you will find a mix of high street names along with local traders. Continuing onto Castlegate you will find a selection of characterful shops including a book shop, antique centre, and a butcher, as well as ‘Pier Red’ where you can sip a rich espresso whilst browsing artworks and collectables by popular Northern artists. Also look out for their live music evenings where you can unwind to the smooth, mellow sounds of talented local musicians.

Alternatively, head to Bridge Street, where a thriving street full of small independent names and quirky shops can be found. From an eco-friendly retail shop and wool studio to a music shop and gallery, there is something for everyone on this community lead street. Popular deli The Mule on Rouge will delight the foodie amongst you, along with Atelier and Mavi Turskish Restaurant, which offer scrumptious evening dining. Enjoy craft beers and fine wines at The Curfew Micropub, a popular spot for the locals, but the small doorway on Bridge Street is easily missed by newcomers.

For further food delights, you will not be short for options. The area has a rich food heritage and there is something to cater for all tastes and budgets here. Enjoy tasty fish and chips on the promenade, cosy pubs, characterful cafes including Northern Edge Coffee and The Corner House, or bistro restaurants such as The Maltings Kitchen and The Queen's Head serving tempting light-bites or a pre-theatre dinner.

Three large supermarkets including a Marks & Spencers food outlet sit on the edge of town. Alternatively, why not pop the wine in the fridge and arrange for a platter of seafood to be delivered straight to your door by the Berwick Shellfish Company - oysters reared in the clear North Sea beds of Lindisfarne, lightly smoked kippers from traditional local smokehouses, or perhaps some freshly dressed lobster or langoustines - perfect for a romantic evening in!

With its rich history, charming Georgian architecture, vibrant cultural and arts scene, golden beaches, superb wildlife, extensive leisure opportunities, as well as links to long-distance walking and cycling routes, the whole area is quite simply packed with interest.

Walk the outstanding Elizabethan walls of the Old Town taking in ancient bastions, watchtowers and gun batteries - a testament to Berwick’s turbulent past defending England from the Scots. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the coast and Tweed estuary before a visit to the Hawksmoor-designed Berwick Barracks with three separate museums showcasing its military history, as well as part of Sir William Burrell’s art collection.

Next, follow Berwick’s Lowry Trail and discover the cobbled streets and seaside scenes depicted in the paintings of the great ‘matchstick men’ painter who was captivated by the town and the area. If that sparks your creative side, why not spend an afternoon out-and-about drawing and painting under the tuition of a renowned local artist.

Berwick has a thriving arts scene at the centre of which is the charming Maltings Theatre, which hosts a packed diary of theatre, cinema, dance, comedy and music. There are also a number of galleries in the town, including the Watchtower which hosts a diverse number of events, guest artists and musicians. For something a bit different, take a boat trip from Berwick upstream to Paxton House, a superb Adam mansion which is home to the largest private gallery of any country home in Scotland with an extensive collection of paintings dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many of which have been loaned by the National Galleries of Scotland.

The town hosts a number of events throughout the year including the Riding of the Bounds in May which follows the ancient tradition of riding the town’s boundaries to guard against thieving Reivers; the Seaside Festival in August which includes street entertainers, Punch and Judy, live music, and sandcastle competitions; the Food and Beer Festival in September which is a mouthwatering opportunity to sample all the region’s superb produce; and the Film and Media Arts Festival, the largest of its type in the region.

The area has over 26 miles of fantastic beaches just made for lazy picnics and outdoor adventures. Spittal beach is popular with families with wide golden sands, an attractive promenade and a fun splash park, while Cocklawburn, Goswick and Cheswick beaches all sit close by. The stunning beach at Bamburgh is also a must-visit, sitting just a short 20-minute drive from Berwick.

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is about a 20-minute drive from Berwick, only accessible by a causeway at low tide. A designated National Nature Reserve, this tiny, picturesque island is often described as ‘The Jewel of the Northumberland Coast’. It is an overwhelmingly mystical place, home to the evocative remains of a ruined eleventh-century priory, a beautifully restored castle and the infamous Lindisfarne Mead.

There is excellent bird watching on the Tweed estuary around the town and also further afield at St Abb’s Head and the Farne Islands - home to a resident colony of grey seals in addition to an impressive array of birdlife including puffins, guillemots, razorbills and terns.

There are two golf courses close by; Magdalene Fields five minutes from the town offers superb views of the famous Elizabethan walls, the cliffs leading into Scotland and the iconic castles at Bamburgh and Holy Island. Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty six miles south of Berwick, Goswick is a highly-regarded links course selected as an Open qualifying course.

For a city day out, Berwick Station is about a 10-minute walk from The Loovre offering an easy day trip to the magnificent sights of Edinburgh, just 45 minutes journey by train.

C&C experiences

We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.

Find Out More

Children and families

Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.

Find Out More

Fishing

Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.

Find Out More

Historic houses and castles

With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.

Find Out More

Wildlife

Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.

Find Out More

Walking

From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.

Find Out More

Golf

There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.

Find Out More

Adventure Sports

If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.

Find Out More

Cycling & mountain biking

Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.

Find Out More

Shooting

For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.

Find Out More

Ancestral history research

Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.

Find Out More