Low Newton by the Sea & The Maltings Theatre in Berwick upon Tweed

Thursday started off in a leisurely fashion (after taking Ruby for her early morning perambulation.) We made our way down to Bamburgh in time for morning coffee & scones which we had at the Copper Kettle Tea Rooms, in Front Street, on the side of the Village Green.







Then we moved on to Low Newton by the Sea. Low Newton is a rather special little hamlet. Three sides of a square are to be found, and the fourth open side faces on to the beach. The whole of the properties which comprise the three sides of the square are owned by the National Trust, including the Ship Inn.







The hostelry is famous and visited by people from near and far. When we arrived (at about 2.00 pm) the place was heaving with customers. There were lots sat outside at the tables as well as lots of other people sitting on the grass in the centre of the square.

The pub also has its own micro brewery, and brews two beers. I sampled their “India Pale Ale” - a rather gentle and tasty brew, and most refreshing.

Ship Inn Low Newton - The Bar

Dot took Ruby for a long walk along the seashore, and Ruby enjoyed playing in the water too!

We returned to Cove cottage, and then went up to Berwick to see a performance of A Winter’s Tale which was on in the Maltings Arts Centre. The Maltings was built in 2000 and has very recently been refurbished. It is a lovely little theatre, decorated and equipped to a very high standard.



The Maltings Theatre - Berwick upon Tweed

Theatre Interior

One of the coincidences this year was that I had picked up a leaflet of what was on in the Maltings and seen that on Thursday, Friday and Saturday there were performances of A Winter’s Tale. The day previously, when we were in Wooler Dot had seen a poster advertising the performances, and noticed that one of the actors was Ferdinand Kingsley. Here’s the coincidence……

Dot nurses his grandmother, and she has met Ferdinand (who incidentally is the son of Ben Kingsley – the well known actor) when he has been visiting his grandmother in Cottingley Hall!

So we decided to visit the theatre and see A Winter’s Tale, which had got extremely good write ups.

We were sat in the theatre restaurant having a pre performance meal,

and Dot noticed that Ferdinand was also there eating. He obviously recognised her, but couldn’t place how he knew her. I said to her, “Go and introduce yourself and put him out of his misery!” She did, and the upshot was that we were invited to join him after the performance, in the bar. We spent about 45 minutes chatting with him. He is a very unpretentious and pleasant young man, who doesn’t trade on the family name. Oh, and he gave an excellent performance too!



The Stage Door Bar