*** Please note Athena the cat (who used to stay in the cottage) has gone to live as a therapet with a lady who recently lost her husband. One of our other cats may come and visit (you can lock or open the cat flap for access), please bear this in mind when making a booking, any questions, please get in touch***
Summary
Homely self-catering holiday cottage with a well-equipped kitchen and a woodburner. Set in wildlife-rich mature gardens in a convenient yet secluded location close to the centre of the small town of Duns. Ideally situated for country walks and cycling, local wedding venues or exploring the towns, historic properties and beaches of the Scottish Borders, with the bright city lights of Edinburgh only an hour’s drive away across the moors of the Southern Uplands.
Description
Gardener’s Lodging is a first floor apartment occupying the rear wing of a category B listed Georgian Villa dating to 1791. A real home-from-home, it is full of character, decorated with hand-made soft furnishings using quality fabrics by the owner who runs a small textile business, Blyth and Bonnie (blythandbonnie.co.uk). Whilst it is attached to the owner’s house, it has its own entrance and a private sheltered garden (although not quite as private since a branch came off one of our neighbour’s trees and destroyed some of the hedge – we have re-planted but these things take time!).
Parking is in the courtyard behind the main house (or in front of the main house if you prefer. Entrance into a hallway, with maps and guidebooks, and then up a broad-shallow staircase to the apartment. Lobby with coat hooks and access to the dining kitchen and bathroom. Traditional bathroom with a hand-held shower over a large, deep bath. The kitchen has a dishwasher, Belfast sink, larder fridge, small chest freezer, coffee and espresso maker, induction hob (not suitable for people with certain types of pacemaker), oven and microwave. The kitchen window overlooks the garden and a well-visited bird feeder. The table comfortably seats six and there is plenty of crockery and cutlery for multi-course dinner parties. Access from the kitchen down four steps into the private garden with its outside seating area. Access from the kitchen to the living room (up two steps). The living room has a woodburning stove (free wood provided), supplementing the central heating, making this a cosy place to stay at any time of year. A low window overlooking the courtyard is Athena’s favourite place to sit, and there is plenty of seating for people (which includes a double sofa bed if required – please advise at time of booking). The living room also has a small desk which can be opened up to form a table for those wishing to eat away from the kitchen or to play board games. There is a range of games along with a good collection of books and CDs. We have a bouncy chair, play mat and other toys for babies and young children. Please note that while there is a DAB stereo system and WiFi, Gardener’s Lodging is a TV-free zone: there is no TV licence associated with the accommodation and therefore it is an offence to watch TV live or on BBC iPlayer. The bedroom is accessed from the living room and has a comfortable king size bed as well as a single, plus an extra single bed which pulls out from underneath if required. Due to the thick walls of the house there is no Wifi reception in the bathroom and limited reception in the kitchen. Two cots and Tripp Trapp high chairs can be supplied free of charge (please book these in advance). There is a shared washing machine and tumble dryer available in a shared utility room accessed from the entrance hallway (there is a charge for the use of the tumble dryer to encourage line drying). All bed linen, towels and fuel (including logs for the fire) included. Everything is supplied for your first cup of tea, herbal tea, hot chocolate or coffee on arrival.
Gardener’s Lodging used to have a resident cat, however, now one of our other cats may come and visit (it is up to you whether you’d like the cat flap open or locked).
Please note that unfortunately we cannot accept any pets. Check-in is from 4pm, checkout by 10am. If you would like an earlier check-in time or later check-out time this can potentially be arranged in advance, for a charge of £15 per hour. This will allow us to pay extra staff to get the accommodation ready on time. Please let us know. Alternatively, please consider booking an extra day. Thank you for your understanding.
Since the start of the pandemic we have had a succession of longer term lets. For long term bookings please contact us for the relevant rates.