This is the Bell Tower at the northern side of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the most northerly town in England. It was built about 1577, replacing a 14th century tower on the medieval walls of the town. There used to be a warning bell in the tower that sentries would sound at the sight of danger to the townspeople. At one time there used to be a beacon on top, which could be lit if the country was invaded.
These days it’s an odd sight on a grassy mound at the end of a residential road.
But in earlier days it was in a prime position overlooking the sea, the fields and the town. Nearby is Lord’s Mount, a fort built in around 1540 during Henry VIII’s reign. It was orginally on two floors but all that remains are parts of the ground floor and you can see fireplaces, a flagged kitchen floor, a well and a privy.
There used to be guns mounted on the parapet and I climbed what was left of the steps to see the view. I didn’t venture on to the top; it was very windy and I don’t have a head for heights!
Photos taken September 2011.
For more Saturday Snapshots see Alyce’s blog At Home With Books.
BooksPlease 
Restoration Man featured a couple this week who converted a tower into a home. Awesome.
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What extraordinary history is lurking at the end of a suburban street!
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That first picture makes it look so imposing. Then you backed up and it didn’t seem so huge. Still, amazing. Here’s Mine
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What beautiful old stonework! Such history.
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How very interesting! And how the old and the new coexist in the same area. Reminds me for some reason of the beacons that were lit in THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
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It always amazes me, how sturdy some of these old buildings are and how long they’ve lasted. Fantastic pics.
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I do enjoy your photos with history…even the ones in ruins. They are reminders of times gone by, and I always wonder about the stories they could tell.
Thanks for sharing.
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT and here’s
MY WEBSITE
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It must be quite a site, wonder how the towns people feel about it in the middle of their town? Thanks for venturing up those stairs, I would have been a little more than hesitant.
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I like the mix of the very old with the new. And the way history is retained. Here in the US we tend to rip things down after 40 or 50 years and after a while everything starts to look the same.
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It is mind-blowing to stop and think about how very important fixtures of life a few hundred years ago are now curiosities at the end of country roads. I quite enjoyed learning about the Bell Tower!
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Fascinating post and photos! I bet that is a sight to see at the end of a residential road! The view from top must have been specular back in the tower’s glory days.
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Incredible building with stone that withstands centuries. Maybe not warm in there but it lasts longer than houses in our time. What will history say of our building skills?
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It’s amazing that most of it is still standing. I love the stone and the varying colors. Stunning photos.
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The bell tower is fascinating. Makes me wonder about the mysteries of the past.
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Fantastic! Thanks for explaining a little the photos. I especially love the first one where you can see all the different stones and colours.
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wow, 1577, that is so cool. very interesting
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In the U.S. a lot of interesting finds come from the privy. People find everything from broken pottery to pipes in the ground there. I would love to know what they found in the privy of this old fort.
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Barbara, I’ll see if I can find out.
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