alanRow

Berwick upon Tweed is Berwick to most folk in the UK - but don't assume that similar will hold for other places.

So the rule is always quote the full name of a place whether it's a town or a street otherwise you'll end up in Stratford (east London) when you want to go to Stratford-upon-Avon or Newcastle-under-Lyme when you meant to go to Newcastle-upon-Tyne - or was that Newcastle, County Down or Newcastle, Shropshire or Newcastle, Bridgend or Newcastle, Monmouthshire or perhaps even Newcastle Emlyn

sheila

The peace treaty story is that Berwick was believed to be technically at war with Russia. The story tells that since Berwick had changed hands several times, it was traditionally regarded as a special, separate entity, and some proclamations referred to "England, Scotland and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed". One such was the declaration of the Crimean War against Russia in 1853, which Queen Victoria supposedly signed as "Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, Ireland, Berwick-upon-Tweed and all British Dominions". However, when the Treaty of Paris (1856) was signed to conclude the war, "Berwick-upon-Tweed" was left out. This meant that, supposedly, Berwick was officially at war with Russia.

However (again apocryphally) a peace treaty was supposed to have been signed by the mayor and the USSR in 1966. The mayor is meant to have said that the people of Russia could not sleep peacefully in their beds.

Stilldontknow

That is indeed the origin of the story. Fun though it is the truth is a little less interesting. Whilst it it's true Berwick wasn't mentioned in the peace treaty it wasn't actually mentioned in the declaration of war either.

Although were was some ambiguity about Berwick's legal status the 1746 wales and Berwick Act took care of this. Basically, after the act, any mention of England should be taken to include Berwick.

PalenQ

PQ - Will look into the passes, thanks.>

To cut those pass prices even more just look at the Britrail England Pass, which will take you as far north as Berwick (on Tweed) or Carlisle to the west - rent a car there for the Scottish Borders abbeys and Edinburgh and return it in Berwick and those pass prices will be even cheaper than for the BritRail Pass (including Scotland) that i quoted - probably more like 40 pounds per person for 4 days on unfettered rail travel on any train anytime in England - up to Berwick and back for 40 pounds per person and fully flexible tickets to use anytime you want.

I assume we do not need to show our passports to enter Berwick-upon-Tweed or have visas for Berwick?

PalenQ

you say you are staying only three days well a 4-consecutive-day BritRail Pass for all 8 of your party would cost a collective $748 in 2nd class or $1,100 about in first class - for all 8 people, traveling with one pass.>

with just a BritEngland Pass your party of 8 would pay a collective $597 instead of $748 for a BritRail Pass that would include Scotland as well.

But you should IMO consider going first-class with such a large group as you would IME even find seats in the same carriage without reservations in first class (in 2nd class rarely so be sure to reserve seats with a 2nd class pass if you all want to be vaguely near each other IMO) - and for a 4-day BritEngland Pass you all can travel in first class for a collective $855 - up and back on any train anytime.

And IME of decades of traveling on British trains there is a world of difference between first and second class - a difference much greater than any i've seen on the Continent - much larger seats - usually lots of empty seats - mch easier to store luggage without climbing over someone else to access a crowded overhead luggage rack, etc. And on the lines towards Scotland and back you constantly are being fed free snacks and coffee or tea.

PalenQ

Highlanders - you do not say when you are going but if it is between Nov 1 and Feb 28, 2011 then all those Party and Family Pass prices will decrease about 20% or about $487 totall for all for 4-day passes or about 330 pounds for all 8 or just $600 in first class for all 8! It's called BritRail Off-Peak promo.

PalenQ

And when returning to London by train the quickest route goes via York - fantastic York - universally acclaimed as one of the finest it not the finest English cities (2nd to Bath in my book) - and it is so easy to break your journey there - put bags in the station left-luggage lockers and perambulate the few blocks to the world-famous York Munster (see if you can spot the 'imps' high above) and also your kids will love to walk on the path on top of the medieval walls that still largely girdle in the town below them.

And one of Britain's most popular family attractions is actually attached to the York train station by walkways - the National Railway Museum - it's also free and is one of Europe's greatest collection of not only old and modern trains but also has royal train coaches and all kind of stuff for kids - last time i was there there were families all over and loving it.

If you have a pass breaking your journey is so easy as you can later just hop on any of the 2 or more an hour trains to London.

PalenQ

National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum in York and Shildon is home to the UK's national rail collection. Includes museum visitor info, events, exhibitions and ...
www.nrm.org.uk/