Cherryburn, a family farm of traditional stone buildings, was the birthplace of Thomas Bewick (1753 – 1828), the father of modern wood-engraving. In Bewick’s words: ‘Cherryburn, the place of my nativity, and which for many years my eyes beheld with cherished delight, is situated on the south bank of the Tyne, in the county of Northumberland, a short distance from the river. The house, stables, etc., stand on the west side of a little dean, at the foot of which runs a burn.’ Cherryburn now houses a small museum devoted to Bewick’s life and works in the main house, and a printing shop in the barn.
Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), Northumberland’s greatest artist, wood engraver and naturalist was born in the cottage at Cherryburn. The nearby 19th century farmhouse now houses an exhibition on Bewick’s life and work including some of the original box wood blocks he engraved in incredible detail and many books of his illustrations.
