Whitesand Shiel
There are waterside homes, and then there’s Whitesand Shiel. Barely a salmon’s leap from the legendary River Tweed, this 18th-century fisherman’s shelter has been lovingly reimagined as a quirky couple’s retreat.
Used as a salmon-netting station until 1992, it lies just upstream from old Berwick’s bustling town centre and the spectacular Tweed estuary. As well as enchanting river views, Whitesand Shiel provides uninterrupted vistas of Robert Stephenson’s handsome Royal Border Bridge – a Grade I listed railway viaduct opened by Queen Victoria in 1850.
Downstairs, its open-plan living area is a winning blend of earthy colours and organic materials. Wooden floorboards, sumptuous leather sofas, cosy tweeds and solid oak furniture create an air of understated luxury which suits those memorable surroundings. The fully-equipped kitchen sits snugly in one corner, complete with cheery white fittings, and a log-burning stove in the stone fireplace stands ready for service on chillier days. A dining table is also found here, and two sofas face the small, Sky-equipped TV.
One floor up is the superb, glass-fronted sitting room, its slanted floor-to-ceiling windows offering a captivating view of the Tweed. Aided by free-to-use binoculars, this makes a fabulous spot to sit and watch the river and its many inhabitants – including salmon, otters, an extraordinary array of birdlife and even seals. Otherwise, laze on the corner sofa or large beanbag, enjoying a selection of books and games. To one side, the cosy adjacent bedroom features attractive exposed beams. You’ll find a bathroom below, complete with a walk-in rainfall shower.
The owner’s passion for the renovation project is reflected by charming details which reference Whitesand Shiel’s history. Former fish crates have been reborn as a wooden coffee table, while original fishing nets top the bed. Old oars are now coat hooks and an upturned fishing boat was ingeniously converted into sheltered outdoor seating. Continuing that nautical theme, the Royal Border Bridge is visible through a sitting-room porthole window.
That boat-cum-bench is part of a grassy garden with a pizza oven where you can eat al-fresco on sunny days — and use the provided telescope to stargaze at night. Look out for the house’s vintage weather vane, too.
Connecting to Edinburgh, York and London, Berwick’s station is a ten-minute walk away past the walled town’s castle remains. Just beyond are plenty of independent shops and galleries, plus a host of good restaurant options. Fourteen miles south, across Berwick’s other two great bridges, is Holy Island. The iconic Bamburgh Castle and namesake beach below aren’t much further on, with sandy shores at Cheswick or Eyemouth even closer. Explore inland, meanwhile, and you can visit ruined, romantic abbeys or Walter Scott locations amid the Scottish Borders or hike up beautiful, crowd-free Cheviot Hills.
Property Layout
GROUND FLOOR
Access into an open plan living area comprising:
Fully equipped kitchen with electric cooker with grill, oven and 4 ring ceramic hob, large fridge/freezer, small dishwasher, Bosch Tassimo coffee machine with initial complimentary capsules, plenty of utensils and good quality china and glasses. Dining space with seating for four.
Cosy seating area with two comfortable sofas, wood burner (initial supply of logs provided), small TV with Sky and DVD player, iPhone docking station.
Utility room with washing machine, Belfast sink, microwave and overhead pulley.
Shower room with walk-in shower with drench shower head, basin and WC.
FIRST FLOOR
Sitting room with floor to ceiling glass window offering superb views across the river to Berwick Bridge, corner sofa, large beanbag, selection of books and games, binoculars and small telescope.
Bedroom with 4’6” double bed, dressing table, chest of drawers, and armchair. Hanging space is provided by a door hook and hangers. Velux window with blackout blind.
OUTSIDE
Whitesand Shiel is set within a fully enclosed garden with an outside seating area and hedging offering privacy. A former wooden netting boat has been converted to provide a quirky bench. There is garden furniture, a barbecue, pizza oven and bench seating to the side and rear access to the property. A gate allows access onto the footpath with wider views across the estuary and walking access directly into Berwick upon Tweed. The garden is fully enclosed, however the immediate access road down to Whitesand Shiel is farmland with livestock and your dog will require supervision and kept on a lead while walking in this area.
There is ample private parking directly outside the cottage.
Location
Whitesand Shiel offers guests the best of both worlds; the location is surprisingly peaceful and private and yet Berwick’s shops, pubs and restaurants are just a fifteen minute walk from the front door. Unusually for this part of the world, Whiteand Shiel is one of very few properties where a car is not required. Berwick upon Tweed is on the main East Coast line which also links to the west coast and the station is about a 10 minute walk from the house.
Head to Bridge Street in the town, 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 & Spencer 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!
The charming, ancient towns of Duns and Kelso are also nearby both of which have an excellent range of independent shops and eateries. Alternatively, head to Edinburgh which is an easy day trip either about an hour by car or 45 minutes on the train from Berwick upon Tweed for a day's shopping and eating in the city.
Amenities
- Barbecue
- Dog friendlyOne well-behaved dog is welcome; a second dog is accepted with a £20 fee. Please note that dogs are not permitted upstairs or on the furniture. An outside tap is available.
- Enclosed garden
- HairdryerA hairdryer is provided.
- HeatingHeating is provided by electric panel heaters and a wood burning stove. An initial supply of logs are provided.
- Linen & towels providedHypoallergenic duvet and pillows are provided.
- Outside space
- Walking distance to a beach (under 1 mile)
- Walking distance to a pub (under 1 mile)
All Amenities
Important Information
Babies and children are not permitted.
Access to Whitesand Shiel is via a concrete and gravel track which is usable by all vehicles other than in severe weather conditions. The access road is steep in parts and does involve exiting the vehicle to open the access gate into the field on the upper section, and then into the parking area of the garden area of the property on the lower section. This may prove difficult for guests with restricted mobility. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns.
Wi-Fi is not available. There is good mobile coverage with 4G on most networks.
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
Arrival time: 5pm
Departure time: 10am
Accessibility
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Inspired by the wealth of brilliant activities on offer in the North of England and the South of Scotland, we offer an exciting collection of experiences for you to enjoy while holidaying with us. From snorkelling with seals around the Farne Islands to barefoot pilgrimages to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, each experience has been drawn from our in-depth local knowledge and is exclusive to C&C guests.
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