The structural and physical properties of the beta polymorph of iron tungstate Fe(2)WO(6 )have been investigated by synchrotron and neutron diffraction vs temperature, combined with magnetization and dielectric properties measurements. The monoclinic P2(1)/a crystal structure of beta-Fe2WO6 has been determined and consists of an original network of zigzag chains of FeO6 and WO6 octahedra sharing trans and skew edges, connected through corners into a 3D structure. Magnetization measurements indicate an antiferromagnetic transition at T-N = 264 K, which corresponds to a up arrow up arrow down arrow down arrow nearly collinear ordering of iron moments inside sequences of four edge-sharing FeO6 octahedra, as determined by neutron diffraction. A canting of the moments out of the ac plane is observed below 150 K, leading to a noncollinear antiferromagnetic structure, the P2(1)/a' magnetic space group remaining unchanged. These results are discussed in comparison with the crystal and magnetic structures of gamma-Fe2WO6 and with the magnetic couplings in other iron tungstates and trirutile Fe2TeO6.