Our story so far: the first 300 years...
Berwick’s position on the Tweed made it a strategic asset, fought-over by England and Scotland for hundreds of years. It was a garrison town, full of soldiers. For centuries they were billeted on the townspeople – a deeply unpopular arrangement. Then, in the early 18th century, ministers agreed to house them in their own accommodation. It was the country’s first purpose-built barracks.
A Baroque inspiration
Conceived by leading Baroque architect Nicholas Hawksmoor, the design became the model for other barracks across the country. You’ll see its influence in later, larger barracks such as Chatham, Portsmouth and Woolwich.
Almost 250 years of national service, in war and peace
From defending the border to two world wars, the barracks complex remained in military use from 1721 until the 1960s…
In search of a new role
…and it hosted the last Berwick Military Tattoo in 2004. As a heritage centre it housed three separate museums, but the need for a new vision – and investment – was increasingly clear.
