Mertoun Gardens
Mertoun Gardens
4
Full view
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4.0
14 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
8
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
winstonglasgow
Scotland198 contributions
Aug 2019
A Monday afternoon in August so Mertoun Gardens are open unlike many others in The Borders. A gardening friend had recommended that we make the detour. But for some reason the toilets are locked. Nevertheless we paid our £5 each entrance fee at the Honesty Box. Wandered to The Dovecot and The Walled Garden which was colourful and impressive. What a pity we couldn't buy some veg or flowers via another Honesty Box. The pathways and lawns were all well kept and the House itself said come on in and view but of course it was closed. Next stop Floors. Hope the toilets are open.
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An Teallach forever
Edinburgh, UK17 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
It has been a first and also a last. In contrast to most of the gardens I have visited in Scotland, here you had the feeling you could not walk around freely, as if the owners were following your steps. Thus not exactly a place to relax in spite of the apparent peacefulness of the place.
Written 19 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tangoj63
Leighton Buzzard, UK878 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This garden does not have a tea room or shop but is worth stopping at if you are nearby. It is on the banks of the River Tweed and is quite extensive but a detour to the walled garden is not really suitable if you are disabled or in a wheelchair as there is quite a steep slope to get there,
Written 26 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn G
Morpeth, UK99 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
These gardens are only open for a limited time each week -well done if you can find the entrance as the signage is poor. The gardens are well maintained with some beautiful flowers but it's difficult to find your way around as there's no map and it only took us 30 minutes to explore the site.
Written 23 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris and Jean
Derbyshire, UK563 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
This estate probably receives few visitors, hence the informality and reliance on an honesty box, but it's great that the owners should allow Joe Public to view their gardeners' efforts. It is not therefore meant to be an 'attraction' in the same way that some of the other Borders' gardens are - merely affording an opportunity to peek through someone else's window - and as such one can perhaps forgive the confusing arrows and lack of labelling that others have reported.
There isn't in truth a lot to see in the main area in front of the house (or at least there wasn't at the time of our visit) and visitors with limited mobility are likely to be particularly disappointed, but wander further afield and there's more to see.
The nicest area in my opinion is the Walled Garden where the fan-trained fruit trees are a sight to behold. Unfortunately I suspect many visitors miss this corner completely - and it's not accessible to those with mobility difficulties anyway - but it's sufficient to lift what might otherwise be a 3* rating to 4*.
To sum up, if you like gardens and have time to spare (and it's a sunny day!) then it's well worth popping round, but if you can't walk very far or have difficulty up and down slopes or use a wheelchair of any description then I'd give it a miss.
There isn't in truth a lot to see in the main area in front of the house (or at least there wasn't at the time of our visit) and visitors with limited mobility are likely to be particularly disappointed, but wander further afield and there's more to see.
The nicest area in my opinion is the Walled Garden where the fan-trained fruit trees are a sight to behold. Unfortunately I suspect many visitors miss this corner completely - and it's not accessible to those with mobility difficulties anyway - but it's sufficient to lift what might otherwise be a 3* rating to 4*.
To sum up, if you like gardens and have time to spare (and it's a sunny day!) then it's well worth popping round, but if you can't walk very far or have difficulty up and down slopes or use a wheelchair of any description then I'd give it a miss.
Written 14 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave H
Eyemouth, UK225 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The house is situated on an elevated position in an open parkland overlooking the Tweed with cultivated fields beyond. There is a small lake with a fountain and waterlilies and some sparse borders. There is a heavily wooded section with paths and arrows pointing in different directions but no text so no help at all. There is a curious walled garden which is flat and cultivated at one end and a steep bank at the other. There are glasshouses, neat rows of vegetables, Delphiniums, sweet peas etc like a well kept set of allotments. A large map at the entrance would help visitors considerably and more of horticultural interest.
Written 19 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip H
Wylam, UK190 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
A beautiful quiet garden which may well be easily passed by our overlooked. We have visited in passed years but before this most recent visit had never been to the walked garden. Would strongly recommend that you make the effort to seek out & go and walk around the walled garden. It is easy to see how one may just stop in the part of the garden where you enter. Also nice that there are a couple of bench seats at the far end with views down to the River Tweed. A big thank you for this private garden providing some access to the public. Late spring is a good time to visit with lots of colour but I'm sure that later in summer or early autumn will have a different but equally enjoyable feeling.
Written 4 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip H
Wylam, UK190 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Few years since our last visit but as attractive as ever. It was a blustery yet sunny day. A but wind swept when sitting on garden bench looking out down across the Tweed but really warm in more sheltered and secluded parts of the garden. Such a lovely tranquil garden & space, well worth a visit and already looking forward to our next visit.
Written 26 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patriciamacadam
Newtown St Boswells, UK15 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
If you like a natural, uncontrived kind of garden, then Mertoun Gardens is for you. After putting your donation in the box, you are free to wander around, although I did find the arrows (which one should follow) slightly confusing and ended up wandering down by the Tweed which was wonderful. I only realised my mistake when the Lady of the Manor with two adorable border terriers in tow, caught up with me and put me back on the right path. The trees here are magnificent and it is also possible to have a look at the outside of the old Mertoun Kirk. I came across some pheasant and another very exotic looking golden bird I couldn't altogether identify. I banks of daffodils are splendid and views magnificent. I will definitely return later in the year to see what's growing.
Written 3 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose C
St. Boswells, UK9 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Relaxing garden and worth seeing but hopefully on a nice day. It is home to the Duke of Sutherland who opens it every Summer.
Written 13 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mertoun Gardens
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