Sight-seeing

The Tweed Border Trail

Round trip of approximately 50 miles

• From Cornhill, take the B6350 (sign-posted Kelso). There are lovely views of the Tweed along the route
  
• After about 2 miles you pass through the hamlet of Wark. The high ridge behind the houses to the right is topped by the scanty remains of the once-mighty Wark Castle.
  
• The next village is Carham, where in 1018 a battle was fought between the Scots and the Northumbrians which resulted in the Tweed being established as the border with Scotland. Just beyond Carham the road leaves England and enters Scotland over the tiny Redden Burn.
  
• 6 miles further on you cross the Tweed over John Rennie’s fine 1803 bridge that leads into Kelso. To visit the town, turn left past the ruins of Kelso Abbey.
  
• To continue the Tweed Border Trail, follow the A698 (sign-posted Coldstream).
  
• At Birgham, some 6 miles from Kelso, you pass a pub named “The Treaty”. This is famous for its associations with the regiment of Foot Guards. In 1660, General Monck led his regiment from Coldstream to secure London for the restoration of King Charles II. This was achieved without bloodshed and the regiment was awarded the title of the Coldstream Guards. The Coldstream Museum is housed in Market Square in the town. Admission is free.
  
• Continue through the town past the column topped by a statue of Sir Charles Marjoribanks, a 19th century local MP. Just before crossing Coldstream Bridge into England , you pass the old toll-house on the left of the road. At one time it was used for marriage ceremonies, like the blacksmith’s shop at Gretna Green .
  
• At the roundabout in Cornhill turn left (sign-posted A698 Berwick-upon-Tweed)
  
• After you pass the gates of Tillmouth Park, the road dips down to cross the River Till beside the 15th century Twizel Bridge. Part of the English army crossed this bridge in 1513 to outflank the Scots army at Flodden Field.
  
• Continue on the A698 until you come to the Salutation Inn, then turn left to Norham. The market cross on the village green is topped with a weather vane in the form of a salmon, showing the importance of the salmon-fishing to the local economy. Norham is well worth a stop. St. Cuthbert’s church is located close to the Tweed, and there is a lovely walk along the river-bank nearby.
  
• Leave the village along the main street and up the bank, past the impressive Norman keep of Norham Castle.
  
• Just before the junction with the A698, turn left to Horncliffe village. Follow the brown tourist signs to Chain Bridge Honey Farm Visitor Centre, where there is a wonderful display telling the story of bee-keeping and bee products. Admission is free throughout the year.
  
• At the bottom of the hill, you cross the Tweed back into Scotland over the Union Chain Bridge. Opened in 1821, this was the first suspension bridge to be built to carry wheeled traffic.
  
• Beyond the bridge, follow signs for Berwick-upon-Tweed. Along the way you will pass the entrance to Paxton House, built in the 18th century in Palladian style by John and Robert Adam. The house and gardens are open during the summer months
  
• When you reach the A1, you can choose to visit Berwick-upon-Tweed, or turn right over the Tweed and follow the Coldstream signs as far as the Collingwood Arms Hotel.