Travel: Berwick upon Tweed

Published on Monday 7 March 2011 12:03

Friday, 6pm Drive to Paxton, a delightful little village just off the A1 only a few miles away from Berwick upon Tweed.

Alternatively, hop on the train to Berwick, where your friendly hosts at five-star Kirkbank House B&B (www.kirkbankhouse.co.uk, rooms from 90 a night) can arrange to pick you up.

7pm Check in to the luxurious guesthouse and enjoy a light meal. Relax and read a book in their well-appointed guests' sitting room or enjoy a soak in the free-standing tub in your en-suite bathroom.

Saturday, 10am After breakfast, check the tide timetables for the causeway to Lindisfarne - otherwise known as Holy Island.

Assuming the road to the island is not submerged by water, drive the 15 minutes or so to get there and spend a few hours walking in the steps of pilgrims from hundreds of years before. Visit the ruined Lindisfarne Priory, built in 1150 on the site of a monastery founded by St Aidan in 635.

1pm Make sure you leave enough time to get off the island before the tides change.

2pm Have lunch and a wander around the streets of the bustling market town of Berwick.

7pm Enjoy dinner at the cosy bistro inside the Cross Inn in Paxton (www.berwickrestaurant.co.uk) just at the end of the lane from your B&B.

Sunday, 10am Wander the grounds and explore Paxton House (www.paxtonhouse.co.uk). Trails run along the banks of the River Tweed and through the forest and include quirky features such as the ice house - where wealthy householders stored ice in summer. The grounds are open all year round, and the house opens from 1 April to 31 October.

2pm If you're feeling energetic, you could continue your walk up to the impressive Union Chain Bridge over the Tweed - the first vehicular bridge of its type in Britain when it opened in 1820.

THE FACTS A return ticket from Edinburgh to Berwick upon Tweed starts from 18.90, www.scotrail.co.uk