Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Grade 2 - Moderate
Price: £500.00
Berwickshire Coastal Path - Self Guided
at a glance
| Day 1 | Arrive into Berwick upon Tweed - |
| Day 2 | Cockburnspath to St Abbs - 14 miles (22 kilometres) |
| Day 3 | St Abbs to Eyemouth, Sightseeing Day - 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometres) |
| Day 4 | Eyemouth to Berwick upon Tweed - 11.5 miles (18.5 kilometres) |
- Grade: Grade 2
Standard Package Includes:
- Total Distance - 29 miles / 46km
- Holiday start date between 1st April and 30th September
- Harveys waterproof map
- 3 Nights B&B En-Suite Room Basis
- Price based on 2 people sharing a room
- Luggage transfers
- Transfer to the start of your walk
- Emergency Telephone Support
- Holiday Information Pack
Holiday Options
- Solo Walker supplement - £255 (includes single room supplement) please call to book
- Single room supplement - £150
- Additional night Berwick Upon Tweed - £130 - Room Rate
- GPS rental - £60
Berwickshire Coastal Path - Self Guided
Stretching for some 29 miles from Cockburnspath in the north down to the English Border and Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Berwickshire Coastal Path provides some superb walking.
The route takes in some dramatic clifftop scenery complete with arches, stacks and crumbling castles. It rounds St Abb's Head, a National Nature Reserve renowned for its birdlife, to reach the attractive fishing village of St Abbs. Several sandy beaches are reached en-route to the town of Eyemouth, before the final stage leads on along the cliffs to cross the Border to Berwick upon Tweed.
Accommodation is in well-appointed bed and breakfasts, inns and small family run hotels. Mouthwatering traditional breakfasts are provided and evening meals can be taken in restaurants or pubs close to the accommodation.
We book all your accommodation, take you to the start point, transfer your luggage and then provide you with maps and an itinerary for you to do the trail unguided.
Self-guided walking holiday along the Berwickshire Coastal Path. Walk this stunning route over 5 days with arrival and departure being from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Walk the trail at your own pace with this self-guided trip.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Berwick upon Tweed, overnight stay in Berwick
Day 2 - Cockburnpath to St Abbs - 14 miles (22km)
Day 3 - St Abbs to Eyemouth, Sightseeing Day! - 3.5 miles (5.5km)
Day 4 - Eyemouth to Berwick upon Tweed - 11.5 miles (18.5km)
Unfortunately, this is not a dog friendly holiday.
Day 1 Arrive into Berwick upon Tweed -
Your arrival day into the region, ready for your holiday.
Arrival by train is highly recommended as parking is extremely limited in Berwick. Berwick station is just a short walk from your accommodation.
Berwick upon Tweed is the most Northerly town in England and has a turbulent history. It has been a town on both sides of the Border until 1482 when it finally became an English town. However, you will find a strong Scottish influence throughout the town.
It is well worth a walk around the walls of Berwick, built by King Edward I to defend Berwick from Scottish invasion.
Day 2 Cockburnspath to St Abbs - 14 miles (22 kilometres)
From Berwick upon Tweed, you will be transferred to Cockburnspath, the starting point of your walk.
From Cockburnspath to Dowlaw you will see various inlets and harbours, including Cove harbour. The only access to Cove harbour is by a hand-hewn tunnel, thought to have been used by smugglers.
From Dowlaw, you can visit the ancient remains of Fast Castle (rebuilt 1522). This castle stands on the cliff edge and would once have only been accessible by drawbridge. Today, you can access the remains by a concrete path!
The latter section of today’s walk follows the cliff tops to St Abbs, offering you stunning views of the coastline and the chance to see Kittiwakes, puffins, oystercatchers, guillemots and curlews.
Tonight, you will be staying in the region of St Abbs and will therefore have a transfer.
Day 3 St Abbs to Eyemouth, Sightseeing Day - 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometres)
After a long walk yesterday, today you will have a more relaxed day and take in the sights of St Abbs and Eyemouth.
The picturesque fishing village of St Abbs has a beautiful harbour, and quaint fisherman’s cottages along its cliffs. This makes it a perfect setting for many a Hollywood film setting or music video, so keep your eyes open!
The harbour is also the home to sea angling, sub-aqua diving, bird-watching and regular sightseeing boat trips. Of course, there is also a great café for those just wanting to watch the world go by.
Ensure to stop by at the Visitor centre to learn about the local area. You can also visit St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve, a short walk out of St Abbs. This this a great place to explore the birds from the cliff tops and discover more about the wildlife, geology, and history of St Abb’s Head.
Once you are ready to leave St Abbs behind you, follow the Berwickshire Coastal Path which will take you along the cliff tops to the fishing port of Eyemouth.
Eyemouth itself is the largest town in Berwickshire. Take some time to visit the information centre, exhibition gallery and gift shop within the museum, located in the centre of town. It is also worth visiting Gunsgreen House, home to John Nisbet, a respected merchant by day and smuggler by night. Eyemouth also has a fishing boat harbour, a long sandy beach and many cafes and restaurants.
The perfect place to end your day and settle for the evening.
Day 4 Eyemouth to Berwick upon Tweed - 11.5 miles (18.5 kilometres)
From Eyemouth you return to the rugged cliffs and sandy bays as you continue along the coastal trail. Watch out for roe deer as you walk.
You will shortly cross the border from Scotland back into England and reach the region of Marshall Meadows. the most northerly point in England.
As you continue along the cliff top path you will eventually see the impressive Needles Eye, a natural archway formed in the rugged cliff edge. You eventually reach the Magdalene Fields golf course and see your first glimpse of the impressive Berwick town walls. You continue on to The Chandley, where fine views of the three bridges can be seen and your walks ends.
Congratulations on completing The Berwickshire Coastal Path!
At the end of the days walking, it is just a short walk to Berwick upon Tweed railway station.
If you chose to stay an extra night you can arrive at your accommodation and relax!
WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES
(A) Bed and Breakfast accommodation (twin or double share basis).
(B) Route map and instructions specific to your trip, including emergency contact numbers.
(C) Luggage transfers between accommodations.
(D) Transfer to Cockburnpath at the beginning of your trip (including luggage transfer)
(E) Emergency back-up service from Shepherds Walks Holidays mobile telephone number.
WHAT THE PRICE EXCLUDES
(A) Any additional transfers not mentioned in the dossiers
(B) Cost of parking your car for the duration of your trip
(C) Personal clothing and equipment.
(D) Insurance
(E) Lunch and Evening meals.
(F) Single room option (if required, see single supplement).
(G) Pick up and drop off at airports.
(H) Other entrance fees into attractions and public transport costs not mentioned above.
STAFF
The Shepherds Walks Representative will :
A) Be available should you have any problems during your trip
D) Arrange the transportation of your luggage.
E) Provide transfers as necessary to your car / station if specified in your booking or itinerary.
Where will we get our lunch from on the days we are walking?
You will receive trail information as part of your holiday pack with places you can stop at each day for lunches. We will also let you know if your personal accommodation provider also provides packed lunches.
If there are no places to stop at on any particular day we reccomend you speak to your accomodation provider and they will make you a packed lunch.
Do you move our bags for us on our walking holiday?
Yes, we move your bags for you everyday. You just leave your main bag at your accommodation and we will move it for you, so it will be at your next nights accommodation waiting for you.
You just carry your day pack.
Your baggage allowance for the trip is one main piece of luggage which should be preferably either a backpack/rucksack or sports bag, and one small daypack. Try to travel as light as possible. It is best to avoid large solid hardtop suitcases as these cause difficulties on transfer vehicles etc.
The larger piece of luggage will travel on the vehicle between accommodations and the daypack should be suitable for carrying any additional outer-layer clothing and items you will need on your walk during the day. As a general rule, we would recommend that your main piece of luggage shouldn't weigh more than 18 kilos.
Do you provide maps and a guidebook of the trail?
Yes we do, we provide a map (as listed in your dossier) and also more detailed directional maps to guide you to your accommodation each night. Some of our holidays also include a guidebook. Please have a look at your holiday dossier or at what your standard package includes.
You will also receive detailed trip notes that we have compiled which have everything you need to really help you make a great walk into a holiday of a lifetime.
Still, need help to navigate the route - have a look at our option to hire a GPS!
Once I have booked when will I receive the final holiday info?
You will receive all your final walk info by email approximately four weeks prior to departure, giving you plenty of time to go through all of the information before your departure.
We don't release any information earlier than this just in case there are last minute changes to accommodation reservations, transfer arrangements.
Once we receive your full payment and 4 weeks prior to your holiday departure date, we will e-mail you all of your holiday details in your holiday pack. This has details of where you will be staying, your transfer details, places to eat, shops, cafes and restaurants en-route. Plus information on public transport services and taxis along your chosen route and places of interest you could visit too.
A hard copy of your holiday pack will be posted to you a few days later, including your map and luggage labels, so no need to print anything out.
Anything you are not sure about, we are only a phone call or email away!
What is a Double, Twin and Single room?
Room descriptions
Double – One double bed for two people.
Twin – Two single beds each for one person.
Single – A room with a single bed for sole occupancy. We do our best to reserve a double bedded room for sole occupancy where possible but if this is not available, then your room may have a single bed in it.
What is the difference between a single supplement and a solo supplement?
Sadly now all costs are based on 2 people sharing and so the solo walker has to burden this cost for both transfers and room rates. As this cost can be quite expensive, it may be worth looking to see if we offer a guided holiday, you could then opt for a single room, just paying the single supplement, making it a much cheaper option.
So, the rule is:
If you are travelling with other people and require your own bedroom, then select the single room supplement.
If you are booking your holiday on your own, then select the solo supplement.
What dates of the year can I book my holiday on?
Our holiday season runs from 1st April until the last day of September. You can book your holiday to start anytime during those dates.
Holidays outside of those times are not possible as most accommodation providers will close during the winter months and the luggage transfer companies do not operate out of season.
Certain holidays, we may be able to accommodate out of season. Please contact us if you require an out of season holiday and we can help you with your request - 01669 621 044.
Berwickshire Coastal Path
Monday 25th September 2023 Tracey Burch
Beautiful scenery. No trouble navigating. The second day was too short- we would have liked the walks evened up a bit.
Berwickshire Path
Saturday 5th August 2023 Adrian Grounds
All very well organised, good accommodation, helpful guidance, and friendly, prompt advice from your office. Provision of the SPOT GPS very conscientious. Would have preferred a printout of the OS 1:25000 map to the 1:40000 Harvey map, because the former is more detailed and the route needed to be checked at times. However, this is a personal preference.
From Berwick to Dunbar
Wednesday 11th April 2018 andrew johnson
I am a great fan of coastal walks and of Shepherds. The variety this walk provided will be a lasting memory. The organisation, accommodation and support were excellent, all I have come to expect. This was my second Shepherds walk another is planned for July. I believe it is not what it costs its what you get for your money.
A very big thank you
Tuesday 6th December 2016 Jack and Dawn Connerley
A very big thank you for making a great holiday. Being met on our first evening was a real bonus, something we had never experienced on a walking holiday before. it was great for Jon to go through everything with us in person. Top class!
We walked this route last year
Wednesday 27th January 2016 Karen McBrown
We walked this section of the coast last year and added it onto our walk up the Northumberland Coastal Path (just added 3 days on).It is a stunning section of the coast but be warned there area few climbs, but very much worth it.We did not see another person along the route which made a good holiday great.
Berwickshire Coastal Path - Self Guided photo's
Beautiful scenery. No trouble navigating. The second day was too short- we would have liked the walks evened up a bit.
25th Sep 2023 - Tracey Burch