A New Vision for Berwick Barracks

The Living Barracks

English Heritage has teamed up with heritage and cultural organisations in Berwick-upon-Tweed, forming the Berwick Barracks Partnership, to launch a new vision for the 18th century Berwick Barracks.

As part of the consultation process, we are seeking the views of the wider community on how the Barracks can continue to play a central role in community life. Take a look at this page to find out more about the project and how you can have your say.

You can also check out the latest project updates here and follow our progress on our Facebook page.

The Vision

The vision sets out to develop the Barracks into a thriving cultural hub for the town, bringing empty buildings and spaces back into use in a way which supports tourism and the local economy.

As part of the plans, the existing exhibition, gallery and cultural space would be updated and improved. Northumberland County Council would work to relocate the Berwick Archives to the site - including new research rooms – and studio spaces would be developed for local artists.

Improvements would also be made to the Parade Ground to allow it to continue to play an active role in the life of the town, both through existing events and also through a wider public programme of events. We are currently prioritising the conservation of the important heritage site and preparing it to become a cultural hub for its local communities. This includes an improved museum experience, art gallery and all-weather communal spaces. A later phase of the site will look to explore commercial uses for the remaining empty barrack blocks, including residential opportunities.

For further information about the project please click here and the site plan is available here.

Artist's Impressions

Have Your Say

We've been consulting with the local community since 2021. This has included open days, forums and sessions with groups from the local community. You can find out more about the consultations and the latest updates about the project here.

In the meantime, please get in touch if you have any questions or want to get involved as the project develops. You can contact us via the Living Barracks email address: TheLivingBarracks@english-heritage.org.uk

Get in touch

The Partners

The vision for Berwick Barracks has been developed by the Berwick Barracks Partnership, building on work previously commissioned with the help of Berwick Town Council, all English Heritage’s tenants at the Barracks, Berwick Guild of Freemen and other local groups. The current project partners are:

The Importance of Berwick Barracks

The barracks at Berwick-upon-Tweed - also known as Ravensdowne Barracks – were constructed by the British government between 1717 and 1721, following the fighting there during the Jacobite rising of 1715. They are the largest and finest barracks built in England in the early 18th century.

This imposing and slightly foreboding structure has acted as a significant landmark on the border of England and Scotland for centuries, fulfilling a military role for some 250 years until its closure in the 1960s.