Edinburgh, Berwick upon Tweed and Alnwick

A cycling tour with a difference - NO CYCLING!

This 'visit' was originally planned as part of a 12-day cycling tour which, for several reason has been cut back to three days (four if you count the return journey from Newcastle upon Tyne) travelling by train and bus.

Sunday 26 April - Edinburgh

Following a morning train journey I arrived in Edinburgh just after mid-day. Starting at Waverley bridge my self-guided walking tour takes me to the Royal Mile. A major tourist destination in the city it has attracted a very large crowd. The first destination on this walk is the Palace of Holyrood House. At the very end of the Royal Mile it is the residence of the Royal family when they visit the city. 

Opposite is the Scottish Parliament building - the design is rather controversial with the Scottish people.

The return journey is uphill to pass (amongst other things) St. Giles Cathedral and finally reach the castle.

A house of multiple occupancy - Edinburgh style

From here it is downhill all the way the Princes Park and the Scott Memorial before making my way to Edinburgh Central youth hostel. Conveniently situated on the road to Leith it offers comfortable accommodation and a variety of options for my evening meal.

Monday 27 April - Berwick upon Tweed

This morning I am in no particular hurry to set off and am able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a steady walk to Edinburgh Waverley railway station - this is the only railway station in the British Isles named after a book title - Sir Walter Scott's 'Waverley.' On the way I passed Sherlock Holmes and the giraffes - always interesting to look at.

Several years ago whilst in Edinburgh I visited 'Jenners' an attract department store on Princes street. On a more recent visit it was closed for renovation. This project seems to be now standing still and the building is not looking it's best - to say the least.

From Edinburgh it was a short train journey to Berwick upon Tweed, an attractive town on the England/Scotland border.

A short distance from the railway station my walk begins under the castle walls and I take in the view of the Royal Border bridge.

Opened by Queen Victoria in 1850 to carry the Scotland to England railway line over the river Tweed this grade I listed building continues to serve this purpose, carrying much heavier trains than originally intended.

The artist L S Lowry was a frequent visitor to Berwick and my walk this afternoon takes in part of the 'Lowry Trail' and part of the newly opens British Coastal Path.

The Russian Gun

Captured in 1856 during the Crimean War it was gifted to the town in 1857

The pier, overlooking the North Sea

Tonight I am booked into Berwick Youth Hostel at The Maltings, a converted building with modern sleeping accommodation but with sympathetically restored original features in the public spaces.

Tuesday 28 April - Anlwick

Once again, a steady start to the morning in Berwick before making my way to catch the bus to Alnwick. With an hour to wait I have to endure a very strong and cold wind. 

The journey from Berwick is enjoyable, being partly along the coast and passing Bamburgh Castle - perhaps worth another journey to visit the castle?

An afternoon walk around Alnwick to have a look at the castle - perhaps better known the world over as Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter film series.

After a look at the castle I made my way to the Alnwick Gardens - mainly for coffee and cake, but also a look at the gardens themselves.

No visit to Alnwick is complete without a visit to Barter Books. A second hand bookseller situated in the former railway station and claiming that at any one time to have 350,000 second hand books in stock. From a walk round I can well believe it - I bought one.

For a town the size of Alnwick the station is very oversized, the reason being that the railway company wanted something big and impressive for when the royal family visited the castle. They seemed to have manged it.

After spending last night in a former maltings warehouse, tonight I am in the former police station that is Alnwick Youth Hostel. 

Wednesday 29 April - Newcastle upon Tyne

Not really a walking day, more a stop-over on my way home. From Alnwick, once again, a bus ride and a chance to view various villages along the way.

From the bus station in Newcastle it is a short walk to the railway station passing an attractive art deco building and an interesting sculpture, then the train home.