Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks
| Berwick Barracks | |
|
Northumberland | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Berwick Barracks | |
| Type: | Barracks |
| Location | |
| Location: | 55°46’16"N, 2°0’4"W |
| Town: | Berwick-upon-Tweed |
| History | |
| Built 1717–1721 | |
| Barracks | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | English Heritage |
Berwick Barracks, sometimes known as Ravensdowne Barracks, is a former military installation of the British Army in Berwick-upon-Tweed, which is now a tourist attraction and museum.
History
The barracks were Britain's earliest purpose-built barracks of the modern era. They were built between 1717 and 1721 by Nicholas Hawksmoor for the Board of Ordnance to protect the town during the Jacobite risings.[1] The work, which involved two parallel blocks of military accommodation, was supervised by Captain Thomas Phillips.[2] An additional block was added between 1739 and 1741.[2] After the Napoleonic Wars the barracks were abandoned but put back into use in the 1850s.[2]
The barracks became the depot of the King's Own Scottish Borderers in July 1881.[3] The King's Own Scottish Borderers moved out of the barracks in 1963 but the regimental museum is here.
The barracks are now maintained by English Heritage.[4]
Museum
The museum hosts an exhibition entitled "By Beat of Drum" which shows the life of the British infantryman.[5] It also houses the last colours of the King's Own Scottish Borderers before it was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.[6]
Outside links
- Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard - English Heritage
References
- ↑ Pevsner et al., Buildings of England: Northumberland, Penguin, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Berwick Barracks". Undiscovered Scotland. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/berwick/berwickbarracks/. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ↑ "1689 - 19th Century". King's Own Scottish Borderers Association. http://kosb.webs.com/19thcentury.htm. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ↑ "Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard". English Heritage. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/berwick-upon-tweed-barracks-and-main-guard/. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ↑ "Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard". Visit Northumberland. http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/museums-galleries/berwick-upon-tweed-barracks-main-guard. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ↑ "Berwick Barracks wins battle to house King’s Own Scottish Borderers colours". The Journal. 31 May 2012. http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/berwick-barracks-wins-battle-house-4410626. Retrieved 25 May 2014.