Out and About
The cottage is situated on a quiet road just a short walk from the centre of the village of Branxton with its charming village hall, beautiful 12th century church, the 'smallest visitors' centre in the world' and a way-marked walking route around the historic Flodden battlefield. The village, with around just 60 dwellings and no shops or pubs of its own, is surrounded by farmland making it wonderfully free from traffic noise and unusually peaceful, especially in the evening. Watch out for the outstanding star gazing and astronomy: on a clear night during the 20 minute walk from the nearest pub you can see millions of stars, the Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy (2.5 million light years away) with the naked eye! Every night there is something different to see, from meteor showers to the Northern lights. During the day a combination of quiet country roads and beautiful scenery make the area ideal for a gentle cycle ride or for the more adventurous the Tweed Cycle Way runs through the heart of the Scottish Borders avoiding busy roads almost the entire length of its 95-mile waymarked cycle route. We keep bikes and cycling helmets in the outbuilding and guests are welcome to use them at their own risk. Alternatively, bring your own, there’s plenty of room to store them securely.
The peaceful village of Branxton is perfectly positioned for exploring the Northumberland National Park, walking in the Cheviot Hills, fishing on the River Tweed or visiting Eyemouth to enjoy the fresh sea air or St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve, a coastal beauty spot with dramatic cliffs, breathtaking views famed for its seabird colonies. Branxton is just a few miles from the border with Scotland and roughly equidistant from the lovely market town of Kelso, based around a Flemish-style square, and coastal Berwick-upon-Tweed with its fantastic dog friendly beaches and walks around the historic walls. There is an array of historic houses such as Paxton House and dramatic castles such as Norham Castle, Floors Castle and Bamburgh Castle which are all within easy reach. The cottage is also a perfect base for trips to Holy Island, the Farnes or for exploring the vibrant cities of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh - both just over an hour's drive away.
The village itself is rich in history being adjacent to site of the Battle of Flodden, fought in 1513. The battlefield trail, with interpretation boards explaining the stages of the battle which led to the tragic death of James IV of Scotland, provides a fascinating walk around the area with beautiful views over the village and across the countryside. There are many other lovely walks to be taken direct from the cottage or just a short drive away and OS maps of the area are provided for guests' use. We also provide a selection of books and DVDs about the history of the area, the Battle of Flodden and the Border Reivers who raided the entire Border country along the Anglo-Scottish border from the late 13th to the 17th century. Every March the Hawick Reivers Festival aims to help visitors and townsfolk alike explore and experience day-to-day life in this violent and turbulent period of the area’s history. Another annual spectacle to note is the ‘common ridings’, a century old tradition which sees more than 300 horses and riders, dressed in their finest outfits pass the cottage on their way from Coldstream to Flodden Hill to commemorate the ancient practice of riding the boundaries.
Just a few miles from the cottage, on the Ford and Etal estate you can visit a working cornmill, walk through fields to an ancient stone circle, take a trip on a light railway, visit a heavy horse farm, discover beautiful pre-Raphaelite murals or simply go for beautiful walks. In nearby Coldstream the Hirsel Estate offers a craft centre, a Museum of Country Life, a tea room and further lovely walks. If you decide to visit Berwick it’s well worth stopping off on the way at Chain Bridge Honey Farm where you’ll learn about the extraordinary tale of bees and honey.
It's worth checking opening times for these destinations before setting out as they vary according to the time of year. Check out What’s on in the Borders, the definitive guide to everything happening in and around the Borders of Scotland and England.
