Header image: © Copyright Chris Newman and licensed for reuse via Geograph.
Who was L. S. Lowry?
L. S Lowry is most famous for his industrial scenes of North West England and the iconic 'matchstick men' that feature in them.
He was born in Lancashire in 1887. During the 1930s he would take annual holidays to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the north-western coast of England and many of his paintings depict the region. It was here that he painted and drew some of his most noteworthy works. He produced a group of more than 30 drawings and paintings of the Berwick area and now you can walk in his footsteps to discover all the locations that have been immortalised in his famous pieces.
Walk the Lowry Trail
A tourist trail called the Lowry Trail has opened to guide you around Berwick-upon-Tweed, visiting some of the recognisable locations the famous artist captured on paper. Along the trail you will discover some of Berwick's hidden gems such as the cobbled little Sally Port lane, and a few of the town's prettiest views like the one from Bridge End looking in towards the instantly recognisable clock tower jutting over the town, or from the sands of the coastline, looking out over the sea.
Image: Sally Port – © Copyright Barbara Carr and licensed for reuse via Geograph.
There are 18 points to visit along the trail and a map will lead you round the town to each of them. At each of the locations you will find a storyboard with the sketch or painting that Lowry drew here along with additional information, and you can admire the view that once inspired the artist.
Berwick is an interesting town to discover. It is still encircled by the old Elizabethan town walls, something that really interested Lowry, and you'll be able to access certain portions of the fortifications along your route. While you're walking keep your eyes open for the prominent clock tower that reaches up from the heart of the town. This 150 foot steeple belongs to Berwick's Georgian Town Hall and can be seen in Lowry's various works.
Image © Copyright Oliver Dixon and licensed for reuse via Geograph.
How to do the trail
This walking route is roughly circular and will take you approximately 3 hours to complete. It's a self-guided tour that begins in the town centre and you can download the accompanying leaflet with map here. The trail is accessible year round, as is access to the town walls.
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