Situated at the mouth of the River Tweed, Berwick has probably seen more history than any other equivalent town of its size in the country. The town’s history goes back to the Kingdom of Bernicia in 547 and it was claimed as a Scottish town by King Malcolm in 1018. A procession of kings and queens rolled through this Border fortress in victory and defeat and finally in 1482 the town was retained for the English by Richard III. Berwick today accepts its dual personality standing on the romantic River Tweed – a Scottish river, but the town itself remaining English. Significant features of the town are its three river bridges, the Elizabethan wall and gateways, and fine Georgian houses. The newly renovated Maltings Theatre is on the Quayside. Spittal, on the opposite bank of the river, has beautiful stretches of sandy beaches, a promenade, and serves as Berwick’s seaside resort.