Berwickshire Coast Path 4: Eyemouth to Berwick

Summary

The final stage of the Berwickshire Coastal Path runs from the fishing port of Eyemouth to Berwick-upon-Tweed, across the Border in England. The route has some splendid coastal scenery with striated cliffs and a fine natural arch.

Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Coastal clifftop paths, can be muddy in places. Some tracks, tarmac lanes and pavement.

Getting there

Start

Seafront car park, Eyemouth.

Public Transport

Eyemouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed are linked by bus.

Start Grid Ref

NT943644

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 19km / 11.75 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 340m (Profile)

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Explorer 346 - Berwick

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

WARNING

The path at Eyemouth Harbour at the start of the walk is currently closed - there is a short signposted diversion.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

The stage starts from the seafront car park in Eyemouth, near the Co-op; there are public toilets. From the car park walk around the promenade to the harbour; you may spot seals. Bear right to follow the harbourside inland before crossing at the boatyard following Coastal Path signs. Pass below Gunsgreen House, built around 1753 to an Adam design for John Nisbet a local merchant who was also likely to have been involved in the prosperous smuggling trade around the time. Stay on the pavement on the right side of the harbour road as it passes the ice plant, which supplies the fishing fleet. Continue on the pavement as the road heads up the hill, passing football pitches, towards the imposing clubhouse of Eyemouth Golf Club up on the right.

Stage 2

Before the clubhouse, cross the road at a sign, go through a gateway and onto a path between the 5th and 10th tees - give way to play. Go through an old kissing gate in the stone wall and bear right to follow the cliff top path, soon climbing up alongside the golf course on the inland side of the wall. There are some impressive caves and rocky cliffs and a great view back over the golf course to Eyemouth. Keep on the inland side of the wall and then fence as the path skirts the edge of fields with some dramatic cliff views to the left. Eventually the harbour and houses of Burnmouth, the last village before the English border, can be seen far below.

Stage 3

Follow the path inland behind a house and down steps on the left to reach the road at the village hall. Turn left and immediately left again, but then ignore the smaller private road to the left, to follow the steep road down to Burnmouth harbour. Pass the historic harbour, now mainly used by a few boats fishing for prawns and crabs. The small village lost 24 men in the great storm on 14 October 1881.

Stage 4

Soon the houses at Cowdrait are reached; the coastal path is signed as it turns right to pass between houses, ascending a flight of steps and continuing steeply uphill. Higher up there's a stile; cross and keep to the right edge of the field, with a fence on your right. At the top of the field turn left along a tarred track that runs beside the mainline railway. When it descends bear right onto a path that runs parallel above the track. Eventually it rejoins a now grassy track; at a gate bear left over a stile and through a kissing gate. The route now follows the grassy clifftops. A sign indicates a detour to the left down to a ruined bothy on the shore - whilst our route continues ahead.

Stage 5

The path continues to run along the clifftops, keeping close by the railway. There's a narrow section where it is squeezed between the cliff and the wall, before climbing above a cutting. The grassy path then diverges from the railway to follow the dramatic cliffs. At a kissing gate the border with England is reached - marked on this side with a plain wooden sign (there's a big welcome to Scotland on the other side!) This is officially the end of the Berwickshire Coastal Path, but the walk is best continued to a more logical end at Berwick.

Stage 6

Soon the Marshall Meadows caravan park is reached. Bear left to pass through the caravan park, which is left via a stile at the far end where the coast path resumes. It comes close the railway once more, before eventually diverging again. The next section has superb views to the Needle Eye Rock - a dramatic natural arch. Further on is a curved inlet. The path continues by a golf course before reaching Berwick Holiday Centre caravan park, crossing a footbridge over a burn. On the far side turn left to keep between the caravan park and the coast, ignoring steps down to a beach.

Stage 7

Eventually a minor road is reached near the public toilets. Turn left to follow this, keeping by the cliffs. At the golf course keep to the left edge of the course by the coastal fence. At the far end fork left downhill to meet a tarmac lane which slopes down to the pier that guards the mouth of the River Tweed.

Stage 8

Follow the road as it curves right on alongside the river, eventually passing through 'Ness Gate' beneath Berwick-upon-Tweed's walls, part of the Elizabethan fortifications built to defend the town against Scottish invasion. Berwick has changed hands many times between Scotland and England over the centuries. The walls can be walked as a fine short circular route in themselves; otherwise, pass through and head up Ness Street and Silver Street, turning right up Hide Hill then left onto Marygate - Berwick's main High Street. Bus stops are at the far end.

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