Things to Do In & Around Kelso.
Once you’ve got your stay at SCHLOSS Roxburghe booked, you can look forward to the best part: planning your time here. There’s a lot of fun activities at the hotel for you to try – from the Championship golf course, to fly fishing, to country sports and more. That’s not even to mention the fine dining and ways to relax too. You’re already spoilt for choice,
If you’re keen to explore the wider region, why not start with Kelso – a five minute drive away. Built in the early 18th century, the listed Floors Castle is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Kelso is also home to the ruined Kelso Abbey as well as a number of other historic buildings dotted around the pretty market town. From September through to May, Kelso Racecourse brings horse racing fans from around the country to the town. Kelso is also the place where the River Tweed & River Cheviot have their confluence – perfect for those who love to spend their time by the water.
If you’re keen to explore the wider region, why not start with Kelso – a five minute drive away. Built in the early 18th century, the listed Floors Castle is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Kelso is also home to the ruined Kelso Abbey as well as a number of other historic buildings dotted around the pretty market town. From September through to May, Kelso Racecourse brings horse racing fans from around the country to the town. Kelso is also the place where the River Tweed & River Cheviot have their confluence – perfect for those who love to spend their time by the water.
Floors Castle - The Gem of the Scottish Borders.
Floors Castle was constructed between 1721 and 1726 and to this day is the largest inhabited house in Scotland. It remains one of the iconic pieces of Scottish architecture, and as a dwelling, has few rivals in the UK. Whilst it is a visitor attraction, it is, first and foremost, home to the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe.
Just a short walk from the Castle you will find the spectacular Victorian Walled Gardens, waymarked woodland and riverside walks to explore, along with a cycle trail suitable for the whole family, Floors has so much to discover.
The Terrace and Courtyard Cafés are ideal places for a takeaway snack to enjoy in the grounds, or something more substantial, providing the best of the Borders for lunch or afternoon tea.
Floors Castle is open from April 9th to 30th September 2022, seven days a week from 1030 until 1700.
Just a short walk from the Castle you will find the spectacular Victorian Walled Gardens, waymarked woodland and riverside walks to explore, along with a cycle trail suitable for the whole family, Floors has so much to discover.
The Terrace and Courtyard Cafés are ideal places for a takeaway snack to enjoy in the grounds, or something more substantial, providing the best of the Borders for lunch or afternoon tea.
Floors Castle is open from April 9th to 30th September 2022, seven days a week from 1030 until 1700.
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Things to Do Within a 30 Minute Drive: Jedburgh, Hawick & Melrose.
You don’t have to travel far to see some of the top attractions in the Scottish Borders, many of which can be reached within a 30 minute drive of SCHLOSS Roxburghe. To the south, the small towns of Jedburgh and Hawick are popular day trip destinations for visitors. Visiting the remains of the stunning Jedburgh Abbey is a highlight of any trip to the area – paintings and pictures of the hollowed, roofless interior adorn the walls of many amateur artists and photographers up and down the country. Hawick, meanwhile, is one of the bigger towns in the Scottish Borders and is known for its knitwear industry and hosts one of the biggest traditional Common Riding events in the Borders.
Heading west from Kelso brings you to the equally popular day trip town of Melrose. Surrounded by rolling hills and home to some spectacular gardens, this Scottish Borders town is a perfect destination for a sunny day trip, afternoon tea spot or a country-style pub. Melrose is the home of a part-ruined monastery, Melrose Abbey, which is well worth seeing for its historical significance. Abbotsford House is also nearby, and the striking Eildon Hills which overlook the town are said to be where King Arthur was buried. History fans should also seek out the commanding statue of William Wallace, which stands close to the River Tweed, between Melrose and the village of St Boswells.
Heading west from Kelso brings you to the equally popular day trip town of Melrose. Surrounded by rolling hills and home to some spectacular gardens, this Scottish Borders town is a perfect destination for a sunny day trip, afternoon tea spot or a country-style pub. Melrose is the home of a part-ruined monastery, Melrose Abbey, which is well worth seeing for its historical significance. Abbotsford House is also nearby, and the striking Eildon Hills which overlook the town are said to be where King Arthur was buried. History fans should also seek out the commanding statue of William Wallace, which stands close to the River Tweed, between Melrose and the village of St Boswells.
famously hawick
Things to Do Within an Hour’s Drive: Peebles, Eyemouth & The Scottish Coast.
The Scottish Borders is a large region, which means you have a lot of ground to cover if you want to see all of it. On the other hand, the area is home to a diverse variety of landscapes and terrains, towns and villages, and of course activities.
If you are indeed willing to drive to the further reaches of the Scottish Borders region, there’s much to explore. To the west of SCHLOSS Roxburghe and Kelso, further up the River Tweed, you can reach the quaint county town of Peebles. Home to a whole range of independent shops and historic buildings, the old mill town of Peebles draws hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. The town is also popular with cyclists, starting their journeys here into and beyond nearby Glentress Forest.
To the north-east of Kelso, you can reach the Scottish Borders’ dramatic coastline on the North Sea. The pretty seaside town of Eyemouth is just one of many highlights along the shoreline. Eyemouth is home to a sandy bay, countless charming restaurants and cafés and the fascinating Eyemouth Museum. The town’s fishing port heritage is everywhere to be seen. Further up the coast, a trip to St. Abbs is also highly recommended; popular with scuba divers, views of the rocky coastline rival the best outlooks in the region.
If you are indeed willing to drive to the further reaches of the Scottish Borders region, there’s much to explore. To the west of SCHLOSS Roxburghe and Kelso, further up the River Tweed, you can reach the quaint county town of Peebles. Home to a whole range of independent shops and historic buildings, the old mill town of Peebles draws hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. The town is also popular with cyclists, starting their journeys here into and beyond nearby Glentress Forest.
To the north-east of Kelso, you can reach the Scottish Borders’ dramatic coastline on the North Sea. The pretty seaside town of Eyemouth is just one of many highlights along the shoreline. Eyemouth is home to a sandy bay, countless charming restaurants and cafés and the fascinating Eyemouth Museum. The town’s fishing port heritage is everywhere to be seen. Further up the coast, a trip to St. Abbs is also highly recommended; popular with scuba divers, views of the rocky coastline rival the best outlooks in the region.
Further Afield: Leaving the Scottish Borders.
With so many things to do in the Scottish Borders, it’s a wonder why you’d ever want to leave. If you’re staying with us for an extended period however, or travelling from overseas, it’s a nice idea to think of the places just outside the Scottish Borders you may want to visit. Edinburgh is perhaps the obvious choice; a little over an hour’s drive away, it’s the perfect destination for a longer day trip. From stunning views at Calton Hill, attractions like the Castle and Edinburgh Zoo to shopping on Princes Street, there’s much to love about the Scottish capital.
If you’re feeling really brave, you might even choose to cross the border and visit England. In less than an hour, you could be exploring the very scenic Northumberland National Park, over and beyond the Cheviot Hills in the south of the Scottish Borders. If you’ve hired a car and don’t mind a slightly longer drive, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Northumberland Coast has many rewards awaiting you. From Lindisfarne and Bamburgh, stretching down to Alnwick and the familiar shape of its world-famous castle, there’s lots to do across the border too.
As we’ve proven by now, there’s plenty of activities to keep you busy during your stay in the Scottish Borders at SCHLOSS Roxburghe. However you decide to spend your time here, we look forward to welcoming you soon.
Getting Around the Scottish Borders.
Making the most of your time in the Scottish Borders is significantly easier if you can drive. Rest assured, there’s plenty of parking space at the hotel. If you’re travelling from overseas, you’re able to hire a car from both Edinburgh and Newcastle airports. More locally to SCHLOSS Roxburghe, car hire is also available in Galashiels.
Border Cab Company: +441573 421003
Cooks Taxis: +441573 226826
For shorter trips, consider hiring a cab from companies based in Kelso, including:
Border Cab Company: +441573 421003
Cooks Taxis: +441573 226826
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