South Wark and Lower North Wark combine to offer 3.7 miles of prime salmon and sea trout fishing, including an invaluable stretch of double bank water in one of the most productive and celebrated parts of the River Tweed. Held within the same ownership for more than six decades, this represents a once in a generation opportunity to purchase this exceptional fly water.
With a combined five-year average of 369 salmon and 38 sea trout, the Fishings represent a substantial and proven sporting asset on one of the world's most famous salmon rivers.
South Wark (Northumberland) comprises 2.3 miles of right bank fishing (including 42.7 acres of river solum), The Boathouse (occupied by the head boatman), Fishermen's Quarters and 17.3 acres of grazing and river bank.
The five-year average catch is 136 salmon and 18 sea trout.
Lower North Wark (Berwickshire) comprises 1.4 miles of left bank fishing (excluding the river solum), a modern timber fishing hut and a boatman's hut.
The five-year average catch is 233 salmon and 20 sea trout.
South Wark and Lower North Wark are extremely complementary. Whilst South Wark generally performs best in medium to higher water conditions, Lower North Wark often excels when river levels are lower, providing valuable flexibility and helping to maximise fishing opportunities throughout the season.
Whilst the two beats operate as separate fisheries, with South Wark in England and Lower North Wark in Scotland, by combining them in a single sale allows them to be fished in a complementary and enjoyable manner. Legally, the ad medium filum presumption applies. This provides that neither side can fish across the centre line of the river without the consent of the other bank. This rule applies to the top three pools at South Wark. However, South Wark and Lower North Wark are effectively in the same ownership and, accordingly, are habitually fished across the centre line, catching more fish as a result. Similarly, there is an informal arrangement with The Lees for the Temple pool with both banks fishing across the medium filum.
Directions
To get to South Wark Fisherman’s Quarters:
From Cornhill on Tweed, take the B6350 (signposted Wark 2 miles). Turn right immediately after the post box in the village and follow the road around to the left. At the next junction go straight-on. Conversely, from Kelso, follow the B6350 for 8 miles to Wark. After entering the village, take the first left and at the next junction go left.
To get to Lower North Wark Fishing Hut:
From Cornhill on Tweed, follow the A698 to Coldstream. Go through Coldstream and continue along the A698 for 0.8 miles before
turning left towards Kelso and immediately left again. Take the lane signposted Fireburnmill and continue along the lane to the fishing hut.
Additional Info
VIEWING - Strictly by appointment with the Joint Selling Agents.
TENURE - The property is offered for sale freehold with vacant possession upon completion subject to the existing occupancies listed below.
METHOD OF SALE - The property is offered for sale with vacant possession (subject to any occupations) by private treaty with entry by arrangement between the parties. A closing date for offers may be fixed and interested parties are advised to register their interest with the Joint Selling Agents. The Vendors shall not be bound to accept the highest or indeed any offer.
OFFERS - Offers in writing should be submitted to the Joint Selling Agents.
FIXTURES & FITTINGS - The data pack includes an inventory of boats and fishing equipment which are included in the sale.
COUNCIL TAX & EPC - A copy of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is available in the data room. The Boathouse EPC: E and Council Tax Band: C.
OCCUPANCIES
• The grassland is licenced to a grazier until 30 March 2027.
• The trout and grayling fishing at South Wark is let to Coldstream and District Angling Association at an annual rent of £1 plus VAT
TWEED LEVY - The 2026 Tweed Levy is £11,302 for South Wark and £19,100 for Lower North Wark.
SERVICES - The Boathouse and Fishersmen’s Quarters benefit from:
• Mains electricity
• Mains water via a private distribution network
• Private drainage
• Oil fired central heating (the Boathouse only)
TIMBER - All standing and fallen timber is included in the sale.
SPORTING & MINERAL RIGHTS - The sporting and mineral rights are included in the sale, in so far as they are owned.
STATUTORY DESIGNATIONS
• The entire property lies within the Willow Burn (Tweed) Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.
• The Tweed and its banks are both a scheduled SSSI and a designated Special Area of Conservation.
• Wark Castle motte and bailey castle and artillery fort adjacent to the Boathouse/
Fisherman’s Quarters is a scheduled monument.
• The property lies within the Tweed Valley Area of High Landscape Value.
TUPE - The Vendors currently employ a full time boatman together with two part time seasonal boatmen. The Purchasers will have a statutory obligation under the TUPE regulations to take over the employment of any employees to whom the regulations apply.
RIGHTS OF WAY, EASEMENTS & WAYLEAVES - The Fishings are sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way, whether public or private, and any existing or proposed wayleaves, easements, servitude rights, restrictions and burdens of whatever kind, whether referred to in these particulars or not. The Purchasers will be held to have satisfied themselves on all such matters but in particular should note;
• Abstraction licence - Water abstraction rights for irrigation purposes are reserved in favour of the owner of Wark Farm.
• Reserved access - Access rights are reserved in favour of the purchaser as detailed on the sale plan.
• Public footpaths - There are small lengths of public footpath along the riverbank adjacent to the village.
