THE LOOV'RE

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THE LOOV'RE - BERWICK UPON TWEED


Image of The Loov're Cafe, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.
The Loov're Cafe

"a Grade II listed building"

FASCINATING BUILDINGS

I love photographing unusual architecture, and this little place immediately grabbed my eye. This article kicks off a series about fascinating buildings and we found this one at Berwick-upon-Tweed - The Loov're Cafe and Ice Cream Parlour. We spotted this curious little coffee shop while walking the town’s ramparts, its located on Bank Hill, near the big car park at Castlegate.

HISTORY

The building’s design, size and bright colours give it a pleasant old-world charm. To me it looks like a tiny house despite its lack of windows, but its elaborate design obscures its original use, a public loo - hence the name 'The Loov're.' It was originally built in 1899 as a public convenience for women, and it was known as the Bank Hill ladies toilet. At the time public toilets were only just starting to become widespread, and this one was rare as it only catered for women. When it closed as a public toilet it fell into disrepair, until it was restored by the Berwick Preservation Trust. This example of Victorian architecture and the change in social attitudes is now a Grade 2 listed structure and therefore protected from further development.

VISITING BERWICK-UPON-TWEED

If you plan to visit Berwick-upon-Tweed a walk around the town’s Elizabethan ramparts is recommended. It is about a two to three mile walk and at a leisurely pace will take a couple of hours, there’s plenty to see and photograph. Parking is at the huge Castlegate Car park which is adjacent the ramparts.

Image of people walking the Ramparts around Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.
Ramparts around Berwick-upon-Tweed

Image of the Ramparts and Castlegate Car Park, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Ramparts & Castlegate Car Park
Berwick-upon-Tweed

Be sure to take a look out for The Loov’re Cafe although the internet shows that it may be closed (Sep 2021). I hope it reopens soon; it’s a charming place to have a coffee and an ice cream. My photo from 2014 still reminds me of our visit, and will remain one of my favourite images of Berwick upon Tweed.


Castle Gate Long Stay Car Park:
Location: 11-13 Bank Hill, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1BH, UK

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