Guidebook for Swinton
Food Scene
Just a 100m walk along Main Street from the house is the Wheatsheaf Restaurant. The Wheatsheaf serves lunch between 12 noon and 2pm and dinner between 6 and 9pm. To book a table call 01890 860257 or visit their website http://eatdrinkstaywheatsheaf.com/content/menus where you can also view a sample menu.
7 locals recommend
The Wheatsheaf Hotel and Restaurant
Main Street Just a 100m walk along Main Street from the house is the Wheatsheaf Restaurant. The Wheatsheaf serves lunch between 12 noon and 2pm and dinner between 6 and 9pm. To book a table call 01890 860257 or visit their website http://eatdrinkstaywheatsheaf.com/content/menus where you can also view a sample menu.
The food here is delicious and the menu is always changing to reflect fresh local and seasonal produce.
To book a table call 01578 718915 or visit their website http://firebrickbrasserie.co.uk/menus/ where you can also view sample menus.
6 locals recommend
Firebrick Brasserie
7 Market PlThe food here is delicious and the menu is always changing to reflect fresh local and seasonal produce.
To book a table call 01578 718915 or visit their website http://firebrickbrasserie.co.uk/menus/ where you can also view sample menus.
You can always find something to eat here as they're open 7:30am - 9pm.
Visit their website to view their menus including lunches, dinners and afternoon teas https://www.carfraemill.co.uk/restaurant-near-lauder or call 01578 750750 to book a table.
7 locals recommend
Carfraemill
You can always find something to eat here as they're open 7:30am - 9pm.
Visit their website to view their menus including lunches, dinners and afternoon teas https://www.carfraemill.co.uk/restaurant-near-lauder or call 01578 750750 to book a table.
For a delicious and luxurious afternoon tea experience, the signet library is definitely worth a trip, particularly if you require a gluten-free diet.
Tables fill up quickly so it's important to book well in advance.
Visit their website http://www.thesignetlibrary.co.uk/colonnades/afternoon-tea/ to book online or call 0131 226 1064
30 locals recommend
The Colonnades at the Signet Library
Parliament SquareFor a delicious and luxurious afternoon tea experience, the signet library is definitely worth a trip, particularly if you require a gluten-free diet.
Tables fill up quickly so it's important to book well in advance.
Visit their website http://www.thesignetlibrary.co.uk/colonnades/afternoon-tea/ to book online or call 0131 226 1064
the Plough Inn
Main Streethttp://www.theploughinnleitholm.co.uk/
Hugo's Cafe Winebar
17 Market SquareA warm welcome awaits. Very popular with the locals.
A traditional tearoom on part of the Ford and Etal estate.
You can also visit the nearby Etal castle or take a trip on the Heatherslaw light railway through to Heatherslaw with its traditional corn mill.
9 locals recommend
The Lavender Tearooms
A traditional tearoom on part of the Ford and Etal estate.
You can also visit the nearby Etal castle or take a trip on the Heatherslaw light railway through to Heatherslaw with its traditional corn mill.
On a cool day refuel indoors with a hot drink and a bowl of soup followed by some delicious home baking. Or, on a sunny day enjoy a refreshing cool drink with an ice cream on the picnic benches outside while looking over the river.
Heatherslaw Tearoom
On a cool day refuel indoors with a hot drink and a bowl of soup followed by some delicious home baking. Or, on a sunny day enjoy a refreshing cool drink with an ice cream on the picnic benches outside while looking over the river.
UK World chocolate master Ruth Hinks runs this delicious cafe and chocolate shop.
14 locals recommend
Cocoa Black Chocolate Boutique
1-2 Cuddy BridgeUK World chocolate master Ruth Hinks runs this delicious cafe and chocolate shop.
Country Houses and Abbeys
The Borders have an abundance of Houses and Abbeys to visit. Delve into the history with a tour of the house or simply enjoy the surroundings with a walk around the ruins.
The final resting place for the heart of Robert the Bruce.
If you visit the Abbey on a sunny day, be sure to get an ice cream from the shop on the corner opposite the entrance.
53 locals recommend
Melrose Abbey
Abbey StreetThe final resting place for the heart of Robert the Bruce.
If you visit the Abbey on a sunny day, be sure to get an ice cream from the shop on the corner opposite the entrance.
Built over more than 70 years in the 1100's, Jedburgh is striking for its unusual mix of Romanesque and early Gothic architecture.
31 locals recommend
Jedburgh Abbey
Abbey Bridge EndBuilt over more than 70 years in the 1100's, Jedburgh is striking for its unusual mix of Romanesque and early Gothic architecture.
Dryburgh Abbey
DryburghThis medieval ruin is the burial place of Sir Walter Scott.
Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott
Explore the gardens including a walk along the banks of the river Tweed. See the water working. Round your visit off with tea and cake in the cafe. A guided tour around the house needs to be booked in advance
34 locals recommend
Paxton House
Explore the gardens including a walk along the banks of the river Tweed. See the water working. Round your visit off with tea and cake in the cafe. A guided tour around the house needs to be booked in advance
Kelso Abbey
Parks & Nature
Duns Castle Estates
A number of clearly signposted walks around the estate grounds.
Leet Haugh
Leet StreetA number of signposted walks around the leet water that feeds into the River Tweed.
A quiet walk along the riverbank with benches to sit at along the way. Take some bread to feed the ducks by the carpark, but be careful around the swans further down to the left.
The Cobby
A quiet walk along the riverbank with benches to sit at along the way. Take some bread to feed the ducks by the carpark, but be careful around the swans further down to the left.
Take a walk along to the lighthouse and see how many different species of bird you can see - If you're lucky you might even spot some dolphins!
This area of the coast is also a Marine reserve with unusually clear waters for spectacular diving.
13 locals recommend
St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve
Take a walk along to the lighthouse and see how many different species of bird you can see - If you're lucky you might even spot some dolphins!
This area of the coast is also a Marine reserve with unusually clear waters for spectacular diving.
Get a slightly different view of the beautiful Glentress forest from this aerial adventure course.
27 locals recommend
Go Ape Glentress, Peebles (Treetop Challenge, Zip Lines, High Ropes)
Get a slightly different view of the beautiful Glentress forest from this aerial adventure course.
Officially opened in 1820, this is the oldest suspension bridge to still carry traffic and is about 7 miles from Swinton. Very close to the Honey Farm.
Union Bridge
Officially opened in 1820, this is the oldest suspension bridge to still carry traffic and is about 7 miles from Swinton. Very close to the Honey Farm.
Arts & Culture
Experience a traditional corn mill with over 700 years of history on-site. Try your hand at breadmaking and buy some freshly ground flour to perfect your new skills at home.
While visiting the cornmill you can also visit the Heatherslaw tearoom which is based in the same building and take a ride on a steam train along the heatherslaw light railway to Etal. The cornmill is also within walking distance of the Heavy Horse centre which can be accessed via a designated walk through the fields.
Heatherslaw Cornmill
Experience a traditional corn mill with over 700 years of history on-site. Try your hand at breadmaking and buy some freshly ground flour to perfect your new skills at home.
While visiting the cornmill you can also visit the Heatherslaw tearoom which is based in the same building and take a ride on a steam train along the heatherslaw light railway to Etal. The cornmill is also within walking distance of the Heavy Horse centre which can be accessed via a designated walk through the fields.
Entry by donation - Learn about traditional farming methods using horse-drawn tools before walking through the stables to meet the horses themselves.
You can walk along a designated path through the fields over to Heatherslaw where you can tour a traditional corn mill, refuel at the Heatherslaw tea room or take a trip on the Heatherslaw light railway to Etal.
6 locals recommend
Hay Farm Heavy Horse
Entry by donation - Learn about traditional farming methods using horse-drawn tools before walking through the stables to meet the horses themselves.
You can walk along a designated path through the fields over to Heatherslaw where you can tour a traditional corn mill, refuel at the Heatherslaw tea room or take a trip on the Heatherslaw light railway to Etal.
FREE admission - A comprehensive account of Jim Clark's motor racing career.
12 locals recommend
Jim Clark Motorsport Museum
44 Newtown StFREE admission - A comprehensive account of Jim Clark's motor racing career.
Shopping
Market Place
Market PlaceMonthly Farmers' and craft markets on the last Friday of the month 9 am - 3 pm.
A celebration of produce from throughout the Scottish Borders all under one roof and located next to the Scottish Borders brewery!
Visit their website to find out more http://www.bornintheborders.com/
16 locals recommend
Born in the Borders
A celebration of produce from throughout the Scottish Borders all under one roof and located next to the Scottish Borders brewery!
Visit their website to find out more http://www.bornintheborders.com/
This garden centre has a wide range of plants, pet products, homeware and a lovely large cafe.
In the car park, there is also Julian's veg - a fruit and vegetable market which is open 7 days a week selling a variety of lovely fresh produce.
Mayfield Garden Centre
Glebe LaneThis garden centre has a wide range of plants, pet products, homeware and a lovely large cafe.
In the car park, there is also Julian's veg - a fruit and vegetable market which is open 7 days a week selling a variety of lovely fresh produce.
One of the largest second-hand bookshops in Britain, but it's so much more than just that. It's full of charm and character with extras like the open fires and a model railway!
https://www.barterbooks.co.uk/index.php
83 locals recommend
Barter Books
One of the largest second-hand bookshops in Britain, but it's so much more than just that. It's full of charm and character with extras like the open fires and a model railway!
https://www.barterbooks.co.uk/index.php
Entertainment & Activities
FREE entry - Pop into the visitor centre to see the insides of a working beehive, displays about honey production and taste samples of locally produced honey. Before you leave why not pay a visit the unusual double-decker bus cafe onsite.
As you leave turn right out of the carpark and follow the road a short distance to see (and cross if you dare!) the Union Chain Bridge - the oldest suspension bridge still open to traffic. https://www.chainbridgehoney.com
18 locals recommend
Chain Bridge Honey Farm
FREE entry - Pop into the visitor centre to see the insides of a working beehive, displays about honey production and taste samples of locally produced honey. Before you leave why not pay a visit the unusual double-decker bus cafe onsite.
As you leave turn right out of the carpark and follow the road a short distance to see (and cross if you dare!) the Union Chain Bridge - the oldest suspension bridge still open to traffic. https://www.chainbridgehoney.com
Enjoy a walk around the forest or step things up a gear by hiring a mountain bike and tackling some of the trails.
28 locals recommend
Glentress Forest
Enjoy a walk around the forest or step things up a gear by hiring a mountain bike and tackling some of the trails.
Local family-run cinema - visit their website http://pavilioncinema.co.uk to find out which films are currently showing and book tickets.
11 locals recommend
The Pavilion Cinema
Market StreetLocal family-run cinema - visit their website http://pavilioncinema.co.uk to find out which films are currently showing and book tickets.
More of a theatre with live shows and musical performances etc than a cinema, although they do show films too. Check out their website to find out what's on https://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/
28 locals recommend
The Maltings Kitchen
Eastern LaneMore of a theatre with live shows and musical performances etc than a cinema, although they do show films too. Check out their website to find out what's on https://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/
Border Ice Rink
Golf Course RoadPublic skating session on a Sunday afternoon.
Check the timetable for public sessions on their website https://www.dunsswimmingpool.co.uk/timetables
Duns Swimming Pool
Check the timetable for public sessions on their website https://www.dunsswimmingpool.co.uk/timetables
If you fancy something a bit different, why not take an alpaca for walk? You're sure to make a new friend, but be sure to take good footwear.
7 locals recommend
Velvet Hall Alpacas
If you fancy something a bit different, why not take an alpaca for walk? You're sure to make a new friend, but be sure to take good footwear.
Whether you'd rather ride along the beach or through the forest Saint Foin can take you on an adventure.
St Foin Riding Stables
Whether you'd rather ride along the beach or through the forest Saint Foin can take you on an adventure.
Visit the site of The Battle of Flodden which happened on the 9th of September 1513. This was a national tragedy that led to the death of many Scottish and English soldiers, 100 noblemen and the Scottish King, James IV.
Flodden
Visit the site of The Battle of Flodden which happened on the 9th of September 1513. This was a national tragedy that led to the death of many Scottish and English soldiers, 100 noblemen and the Scottish King, James IV.
Getting Around
Railway Station
The nearest railway station is in Berwick upon Tweed
Will deliver your hire car to Berwick upon Tweed train station by prior arrangement.
East Coast Rental
11 Silver StWill deliver your hire car to Berwick upon Tweed train station by prior arrangement.
Lauders Private Vehicle Hire
1 Priory HillFor a local taxi service call 01890-882684 or 07793-725-256 to book.