There are so many beautiful gardens to explore, all within an easy drive or cycle from Burnbrae Holidays in the Scottish Borders. It’s a lovely way to spend a day or part of, especially if you enjoy combining fresh air, gentle exercise and inspiring planting ideas.
Back at Burnbrae, the gardens continue right on your doorstep. Across our three self-catering cottages, you can enjoy views of the grounds from your conservatory in every season. We’ve planted with nature in mind, choosing flowers, shrubs and trees that provide colour and interest through the year while also supporting wildlife. Birdfeeders attract a variety of garden birds, adding movement and birdsong to the peaceful setting.
Step out onto your patio and take in the wider landscape too. The gardens flow into the surrounding countryside, with rural views stretching across the Eden Water towards the Cheviot Hills. It’s a calm, unhurried place to sit, breathe and simply enjoy being close to nature.
Most of these gardens are accessible by wheelchair and some of them offer the loan of a wheelchair. We ought to mention that, owing to the special nature of some of the following historical gardens some are not open all year round, so it’s worth checking the garden’s own website to find out more information and to confirm opening hours.
I list below a few of the many gardens in the local area, which I hope will be of interest to you. We will be happy to provide more information about these and other gardens in the Scottish Borders. Please ask.
Abbotsford was the home of Sir Walter Scott; beautiful Regency formal gardens, complemented by a peaceful scenic woodland walk partly along the banks of the River Tweed—a delightful venue, with an excellent visitor centre and cafe.
Abbotsford grounds and gardens are open from 1st March. Please book your tickets online before visiting. The Estate grounds are open year-round.
Dawick is a part of the Royal Botanic Gardens in the Scottish Borders and is one of the world’s finest arboreta. It has a magic all of its own. Set in the scenic Borders landscape, three lovely features are the Azalea Terrace; the amazing Himalayan blue poppies, and the Beech Walk (very special in both the spring and the autumn) but this woodland garden is a delight all year round. Dawyck Gardens has a really nice cafe! The facilities are all wheelchair friendly and wheelchairs are available for loan. However, the terrain of the garden itself is more challenging to push wheelchairs. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens. Open 1st February – 30th November.
The walled garden at Floors Castle has a spectacular display of flowers and includes one of the finest kitchen gardens in Scotland. Also well worth exploring are the Millennium Parterre designed in the traditional French style, and The Star Plantation linking the Walled Garden to the rest of the grounds and riverside along the banks of the river Tweed affording delightfully serene views toward Kelso. There are a variety of walks and a cycle path. (Only 2 miles from Burnbrae).
The terrace cafe, shop, grounds, and walled garden are open 3rd April until 30th September 2026 10.30-4 pm.
Floors Castle, Courtyard Cafe and gift shop are open 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of April. 1st May until 30th September 2026
For a little peace and quiet, you will enjoy the ‘private’ gardens of the early-19th century Harmony House in Melrose which is now owned by the National Trust. It is both walled and screened by trees, and, in spring, has a rich display of flowering bulbs offering a unique sense of peace and tranquillity. The views across Melrose Abbey and Eildon Hills are magnificent.
Open daily 13th March until 31st October 2026. Closed Nov 1st – 28th Feb 2027 Free entry.
Mellerstain House & Gardens 3 miles from Burnbrae. Mellerstain Garden is the home to the Borders Sculpture trail, a different artist each year.
Open Easter until the end of September each year. 11 am -4 pm. Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon. Lovely gardens to wander around with a small cafe.
Mertourn Gardens near St Boswells, was designed by Sir William Bruce in 1703-1705. Includes a walled garden and an arboretum. Open from 1st April to 30th September, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 2 pm to 6 pm, or by appointment. Last entry 5.30 pm. Free parking. No dogs allowed.
Kailzie gardens include a formal garden, a wild garden, woodland walks, fly-fishing, and osprey watching. This garden has plenty to keep all members of the family amused for hours.
Open Wednesday – Sunday. Free parking & dog friendly.
If you love the elegance of Victorian parks, Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick is a lovely day out, just 40 minutes from your cottage.
Set across 107 acres and divided by the River Teviot, it offers peaceful riverside walks, formal gardens and open green spaces. There’s tennis, croquet and crazy golf, plus a museum showcasing local history, art and natural sciences. Sunday bandstand recitals add to the traditional charm.
A relaxed and easy outing before heading back to your cosy cottage for the evening.
Just outside your conservatory doors at Burnbrae Holidays, the gardens are a real joy throughout the seasons. We’ve planted with nature in mind, choosing trees, shrubs and flowers that provide food and shelter for wildlife all year round. Birdfeeders are dotted around the garden and attract a wonderful variety of garden birds, so you can sit with a cup of tea and simply watch the comings and goings.
From early spring bulbs to summer colour and autumn seed heads, there is always something changing. We even gather a few flowers from the garden to decorate the cottage, bringing a little of the outdoors inside.
It’s a peaceful, ever-changing garden to enjoy at your own pace.
Come and stay at Burnbrae in southern Scotland and experience it for yourself. Book your break today. availability.