Spittal

What can I do?

• Enjoy the geology!

1. The whole shoreline from Spittal to Far Skerr is of great geological interest with numerous exposed strata of rocks. Limestone in the area is also rich in fossils of crinoids, brachiopods and other life. And look out for some pink sandstone.
2. Go rockpooling in sight of the cliffs. The shore is comprised of large folding saddlebacks of sedimentary rock that create some excellent rock pool gullies rich in marine life. Be careful though, these rugged rocky platforms are difficult to walk along.

• Get nostalgic:

1. Enjoy The Promenade and have a look at the Venetian Pavilion (now an amusement arcade). Built by the Forte family in the 1930s it was later given a classical colonnade and ballroom. (The white concrete Beach Shelter is of the same period.)
2. If you’re coming in August why not time your visit to coincide with the Spittal Seaside Festival which celebrates traditional seaside pastimes.
3. Follow the Lowry Trail through Berwick town to Spittal Point. Learn of the close involvement and inspiration the artist LS Lowry developed with the area.

• Look out for Wilson Terrace on the main street. These houses were designed by a sculptor called William Wilson and feature all sorts of decorative creatures. The stonework is carved in the shape of fish scales, and there are statues and heads of animals and people.
• Walk the Northumberland Coast Path along the cliffs from Spittal to Cocklawburn and look for tiny seed mussels on the rocks at Cocklawburn beach (and their main predators Starfish).
• Get involved in a beach clean organised by the Spittal Improvement Trust.
• Go sailing on the River Tweed.
• Look for divers, grebes and seaducks offshore during the winter. If you fancy wandering inland the Tweed Valley is great place to see wintering flocks of geese and swans.
• Depending on your itinerary you may also want to take some time to Explore Berwick

What do I need to know?

• There are buses to Spittal from Berwick-on-Tweed

Where can I find out more?

• The Spittal Improvement Trust
• Find information on the River Tweed here
• Berwick Wildlife Group
• Walk the Berwickshire Coastal Path
• Berwick five day weather forecast

Inspire me

Try our specially designed family activities. Tourism, Storytelling walk and Coast Bingo are all great ways of getting to know Spittal. You can download pdf versions of these activities using the links to the right, or visit the Inspire me page to find a these and other activities in both pdf and Microsoft Word versions (for you to customise if you wish).