24-Hour Room Service: 1 Sallyport, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Suggested Topics

The Liquid Lounge, the new bar and brasserie in boutique hotel 1 Sallyport, opened in February this year and oozed smoothly on to the Berwick scene. A £1m makeover has transformed what was an old shop and office at the front of the 17th-century Grade II-listed building into a vision of pale wood, scarlet velvet and cream leather. Add a chandelier or two, fresh flower arrangements and a grand piano, plus barmen serving French martinis and you've got the picture.

The sleepy border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is a little star-struck, truth be told, but then the residents are used to Elizabeth Middlemiss causing a bit of a stir. 1 Sallyport has been steadily evolving since this glamorous blonde chef first turned one of her bedrooms into the Lowry Room in 1995 and started offering luxury B&B. (L S Lowry, famous for his matchstick men paintings, often holidayed in Berwick; one of his pictures features the little alleyway, Sallyport.) Now there are six suites in two historic buildings.

A higgledy-piggledy warren of rooms, 1 Sallyport still feels in part like somebody's home. It has retained the personal touches of a B&B – there are even signs asking you to take your shoes off by the stairs – which is all part of its charm. The design is also highly individual, just like its owner: colourful and contemporary is mixed with French country style. Wrought-iron chandeliers are draped with ribbons and padded hearts, and bunting adorns the stairs and the fireplace in the dining room.

The hotel is renowned for its breakfasts: freshly squeezed orange juice, porridge with cream ("go on, treat yourself") and heather honey. It now also serves gourmet dinners featuring fresh, seasonal Northumberland produce – with a price tag to match: £39.95 for three courses. However, the brasserie menu is served all day – you can have a creamy local fish pie and glass of wine for about £15.

This B&B is now a fully-fledged boutique hotel – with bows on. Quite literally.

LOCATION

1 Sallyport, off Bridge Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland (01289 308827; sallyport.co.uk ). Surrounded by Elizabethan walls at the mouth of the River Tweed, Berwick has cobbled roads and sea views.

Time from nearest mainline station: Berwick's handsome station is a 15-minute walk away, astride the East Coast main line. Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh Waverley are both about 60 miles and 45 minutes away, while York is two hours south. London King's Cross and Birmingham both have direct trains to and from Berwick taking around four hours.

COMFORTABLE?

You can choose between the Lowry, Tiffany, Madison, Smugglers and Mulberry suites and the Manhattan Loft. I was in Mulberry, a "penthouse" in the eaves, which takes up the entire top floor of the west wing with romantic views over the rooftops. It has wooden floors and a soft palette of beige, cream and brown.

Alcoves house an array of books and there is a basket of magazines to flick through. In the bathroom – freestanding tub and separate shower – are candles and bundles of turquoise-coloured towels.

Freebies: mineral water, organic teas and home-made shortbread. Bottles of L'Occitane and Crabtree & Evelyn products to use in situ.

Keeping in touch: direct-dial telephones and Sky TV.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Bed and breakfast from £110.

I'm not paying that: Old Vicarage Guesthouse (01289 306 909; oldvicarageberwick.co.uk ) offers B&B from £80.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Grotty no more: How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

Lanzarote has been quietly changing its fly-and-flop holiday image, discovers Andrew Eames.
Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

It's one of Europe's smallest countries, but it packs in spectacular landscapes and glittering beach resorts.
48 Hours In: Verona

48 Hours In: Verona

Summer opera returns to the Roman arena, says Charles Hebbert.
Ten things we’re looking out for at E3 2012

Ten things to look out for at E3 2012

From Wii U to The Last of Us we consider this year's show
Come dine (online) with me

Come dine (online) with me

Move over TV chefs, hello YouTube stars
Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

'Independent' poll finds less that half want him to take throne as ministers moan of interference
Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Andrew Buncombe reports from Kaharpara on a bloody war between rustlers and border guards
Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Media tycoon's company pays £1m to cancel his order for a £36m private jet after drop in profits
How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

The artist tells Clifford Coonan how he used Skype to escape confinement in Beijing
Nature, nurture... or neither? The new twist in an age-old argument

Nature, nurture... or neither?

The new twist in an age-old argument
Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

New station controller wants to reflect the current period of 'turmoil and uncertainity'
Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

New guidelines warn Britons to drastically reduce their boozing. But is a life without liquor worth living? Hell no, says John Walsh
The Cable News Nightmare: CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis

The Cable News Nightmare

CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis
Like a barbie, but better: The Big Green Egg can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza

The Big Green Egg: Like a barbie, but better

It can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza...
The 10 Best chopping boards

The 10 Best chopping boards

Whether you want to dice veg, chop meat, or just slice up a salad, there’s a surface here to suit every culinary need.