Play Hard
7th Oct 2026
0
0 minute

Berwick Lighthouse turns 200: Here’s how the town’s celebrating and you’re invited

Berwick Lighthouse turns 200 this Saturday, exactly two centuries since the lighthouse at the end of Berwick’s pier was first lit. It’s a double celebration, too, with the Port of Berwick marking its 150th anniversary at the same time.

Over two weekends, the town’s throwing a proper party for one of its best-loved landmarks, with words written in light, a giant cake, drone art in the sky, sand drawings on the beach and a new piece of music played within sight of the lighthouse itself.

So, if you’re after things to do in Berwick this October, here’s everything you need to know…

THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Before the lights go on, meet Robina Burgon. In 1927, she took on the role of keeper at Berwick Lighthouse, then stepped in again in 1929 when her father, Alexander Burgon, fell ill.

That made Robina Berwick’s first female lighthouse keeper, and she may well have been the first in the whole country. Not bad for a job most of us picture as a lonely old man with a beard and a lantern.

Now her story’s taking centre stage.

HER WORDS LIGHT UP THE NIGHT AT IN THE LIGHTHOUSE

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October from 6.30pm – 9pm

North East artist Ed Carter has created In The Lighthouse, a new sound and light installation inspired by the selfless work of the keepers who kept ships safe along this stretch of coast. He’s drawn on historic interviews with Robina to capture what life inside the lighthouse really felt like.

Her own words appear in light at Ness Gate, looking out over Pier Road towards the lighthouse, with sound weaving around you as you take it all in. Just bear in mind the pier’s closed during the installation for health and safety reasons.

Wrap up warm. It’ll be worth it.

A 400LB CAKE? IT’S HAPPENED BEFORE

Saturday 10th October from 12pm – 2pm

Here’s a slice of Berwick history that’s too good to leave out. Back in 1907, local chocolatier and baker John Jacob Simmen baked a 400lb fruit cake shaped like Berwick Lighthouse, selling slices to customers from his Café Royal on Berwick High Street.

Nearly 120 years later, Jim Ford of Ford’s Bakers is reviving the tradition with a new Lighthouse cake, and he’s sharing it with the whole community.

It ties in with the Berwick Literary Festival family programme, so bring the kids along for Babblin’ Animal Rapsby Christian Foley, with music from May Thompson’s mini-band. Cake, rhymes and live music on a Saturday lunchtime? That’s the weekend sorted.

THE LAST SHIP BUILT IN BERWICK SETS SAIL AGAIN

The lighthouse’s story is tied up with the ships that sailed past it, and few mean more to the town than the Audela. She was the last ship ever built in Berwick, and the last cruise boat to leave Berwick for the Caribbean while the lighthouse was still in operation.

Artist Claire Eason of Soul2Sand is bringing her back with a light drawing in the sky, created by drone right beside the lighthouse. It’s a tribute to every ship, journey and person connected to Berwick’s harbour, and to the lighthouse that watched over them all.

Keep your eyes on the sky.

GET YOUR HANDS SANDY AT SPITTAL BEACH

Saturday 17th October from 11am (public sessions from 2pm)

The following weekend, Soul2Sand heads across the Tweed to Spittal Point Beach to create a huge Lighthouse 200 sand drawing, made entirely by hand. Like all good beach art, it won’t last forever, and the sea will eventually claim it back.

From 2pm, you can join in too by creating your own star constellations in the sand. The sessions are bookable, so it’s worth grabbing your spot early if you’ve got little ones keen to get stuck in.

A NEW SOUNDTRACK FOR AN OLD FRIEND

Saturday 17th October at 4pm

The celebrations sign off with an outdoor concert at the Lowry Pavilion, with the lighthouse in full view. Berwick Ensembles is premiering a newly commissioned piece inspired by the landmark and its place in the town and surrounding landscape.

It’s a real hometown line-up, with Berwick Schools Concert Band, Berwick Music School, Berwick Brass Quintet, Berwick Concert Band and a children’s chorus all taking part. Musicians of every age, playing

IT’S EVERYONE’S LIGHTHOUSE

The Maltings and Berwick Harbour Commission have pulled the programme together alongside local artists, musicians, bakers and community groups, and that shared spirit runs right through it.

“The lighthouse is something that belongs to the whole town, so we wanted the 200th anniversary to feel like a genuinely shared celebration. The Maltings work with local musicians, artists, bakers and community groups allows us to look at this familiar landmark in completely new ways.”
David Barrett, Chair of Berwick Harbour Commissioners.

Of all the Northumberland events this October, Berwick Lighthouse 200 might be the one with the most heart. Whether you come for the cake, the light show or the concert, it’s a chance to see a landmark you’ve walked past a hundred times in a whole new light. Pun fully intended.

Planning a longer stay on the coast? Read our guide to Berwick

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND