Spittal
A treasure trove of colour and texture…
Spittal Beach, February 2024
Fujifilm X-H2S | 80mm f/8.0 1/40s ISO160
The obvious start point for any exploration of the coastline from Berwick-upon-Tweed is Spittal Beach. Spittal sits just across the Tweed from Berwick and is a popular spot for locals and holiday makers alike. Indeed, it’s one of the locations that LS Lowry visited regularly from the mid-1930s and there are a couple of stops on Berwick’s Lowry trail along Spittal sea front.
From the (free) car park on Sandstell Road there are views back across Berwick and the town walls as well as views to Berwick Lighthouse. The broad promenade provides a great walk and expansive views out across the sandy beach and Berwick itself. It also has a small arcade and a couple of spots to shelter from the weather if needed. For nature watchers the beach is also home to a number of wading birds. Seals and the occasional dolphin can also be spotted from time to time.
Photographically, though, the undoubted highlight is the rock formations at the south end of the beach. The whole shoreline is of 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. The shore is comprised of large folding saddlebacks of sedimentary rock that also create some excellent rock pools.
The other aspect that I’m keen to explore is the potential as a night-time location. Immediately on the front are some bright lights that can overly illuminate the beach, but there seem to be darker spots further up and down the beach. The view from Spittal towards the lighthouse also faces north, which means that it may be a good spot to observe and photograph the Northern Lights when they’re visible this far south. I’ve certainly seen a couple of Aurora shots from around this location.
Night Sky at Spittal Beach, February 2024
Fujifilm X-H2S | 13mm f/2 5s ISO1250
Given the proximity to home (around 5 minutes in the car), it’s a location we will undoubtedly come back to throughout the year.
