Berwick-upon-Tweed Coast and Elizabethan Walls
Northumberland
Berwick-upon-Tweed changed hands between England and Scotland at least 13 times, and its defences show it. There is no livestock on this walk, but the grassy ramparts have steep, unfenced drops in places and the walls are a busy public path, so a dog is best kept on the lead throughout. The town walls were first built in the 14th century and rebuilt from 1558 in the Italian bastion style, and they are the only complete Elizabethan town walls in Britain. This 4.7km loop from the car park on Pier Road heads north along the clifftops above the beaches beside the golf course, then turns back into town through the Cowport Gate and follows the walls anticlockwise, past Brass Bastion, to Meg's Mount high above the river, with views across the Tweed to its three bridges before returning through Flagstaff Park. There is only about 90 metres of climbing, on grass ramparts, paved paths, cobbled slopes and a few steps.
This dog friendly walk mixes sea air with a lot of history, and there is no livestock on the route, but the walls are a busy public space and 10adventures advises dogs on a lead throughout. Take particular care on the ramparts, where the grassy tops have steep, unfenced drops in places, and on the clifftop path north of the pier. There is little shade and no fresh water on the circuit, so carry some on warm days. Berwick has plenty of cafes and pubs a short walk from the walls, and the car park is close to the pier.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.7 km (2.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- No facilities on the walls; cafes, pubs and toilets in Berwick town centre.
- Parking
- Pier Road car park, Berwick-upon-Tweed; other town car parks close to the walls.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Berwick-upon-Tweed Coast and Elizabethan Walls, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Green Cottage - Swinton
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £839 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in NorthumberlandFrequently Asked Questions
Is Berwick-upon-Tweed Coast and Elizabethan Walls dog friendly?
This is a solid walk for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. There's no livestock on the route, which is a real plus, and the mix of clifftop path and historic town walls makes for an interesting outing for both of you. Just bear in mind that the walls are a busy public thoroughfare, so it's a walk where your dog will need to be on the lead throughout.
Can dogs be off lead at Berwick-upon-Tweed Coast and Elizabethan Walls?
Dogs are best kept on the lead for the entirety of this 4.7km loop. The walls are a well-used public path, and the grassy ramparts have steep, unfenced drops in places that make off-lead walking genuinely risky. The clifftop section north of the pier is another spot to take particular care.
What should I know before visiting Berwick-upon-Tweed Coast and Elizabethan Walls with my dog?
There's no fresh water or shade on the circuit, so bring your own on warmer days — it's an important one to plan for. The route covers paved paths, cobbled slopes, grass ramparts and a few steps, with around 90 metres of climbing in total, so it's worth considering whether that suits your dog. The good news is that Berwick's cafes and pubs are just a short walk from the walls once you're done, and the Pier Road car park is conveniently close to the start.
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