Mellerstain House & Gardens
Mellerstain House & Gardens
Mellerstain House & Gardens
4.5
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Experience one of Scotland's finest stately homes. Located in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Mellerstain is a unique example of William & Robert Adam design, presenting a complete picture as it would have been some 240 years ago. •Admire the outstanding Robert Adam interiors •Enjoy the fine art, embroidery, china & furniture collections.•Relax within acres of parkland, gardens,lakeside/ woodland walks & playground •Treat yourself in the courtyard café •Holiday in our self-catering cottages.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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4.5
158 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
37
Average
8
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Patrick M
Yarm, UK35 contributions
Aug 2023
The formal gardens are a pleasure; albeit in need of more deadheading - but there was a young lad beavering away on his Todd.
Unfortunately, the vista from the formal garden looking towards the otherwise beautiful lake was totally spoiled by the monstrosity which is "modern art". - apparently.
There's a place for everything and in our opinions there's more than enough room to the side areas in the gardens to erect such a "model" of a rocket launch or a church or .... It could have joined in with the humanoid sculptures which weren't so "in-yer-face".
Unfortunately, the vista from the formal garden looking towards the otherwise beautiful lake was totally spoiled by the monstrosity which is "modern art". - apparently.
There's a place for everything and in our opinions there's more than enough room to the side areas in the gardens to erect such a "model" of a rocket launch or a church or .... It could have joined in with the humanoid sculptures which weren't so "in-yer-face".
Written 12 August 2023
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.
Jen_McM
Edinburgh, UK4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We had a wonderful walk around the gardens, enjoying the plants, wildlife and some unexpected features of the grounds.
When it was time for refreshments, we were able to sample 2 different types of apple juice!
The tour of the house was fabulous. Our guide, Gill, had an incredible depth of knowledge about the history, architecture and art of the property. She held our interest for about an hour and a half and we learned lots!
Highly recommend a visit here if you’re in the area.
When it was time for refreshments, we were able to sample 2 different types of apple juice!
The tour of the house was fabulous. Our guide, Gill, had an incredible depth of knowledge about the history, architecture and art of the property. She held our interest for about an hour and a half and we learned lots!
Highly recommend a visit here if you’re in the area.
Written 10 July 2023
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.
Nicholas A
4 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
Today I had the most wonderful experience of visiting this extraordinarily beautiful and fascinating stately home. The tour was completely first-rate, led by a true expert on the history of the house, its occupants, design, furniture and especially the paintings. Somewhat a rarity, we were allowed to move freely about the beautiful rooms without feeling as though we were intruders (the current - 16th Earl - and his family live there!). There is also an excellent cafe, with the possibility of sittting outside in the gardeners' courtyard, although it was a very rainy day. The gardens are breathtakingly wonderful - but sadly, the rain got in the way. I recommend visiting in the highest possible terms, the tour-guide being exceptional.
Written 30 June 2023
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.
Suzy3133
Dunfermline, UK17 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Clare is top notch guide , very knowledgeable and engaging. The house tour was very interesting, who knew there were 4 Griessell’ s
Written 26 September 2022
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.
Claire S
22 contributions
Sep 2022
A lovely find - beautiful garden and lake walk. Nice coffee from the cafe (limited range) and good facilities. We didn't do the tour as we wanted a short visit to stretch our legs... but a lovely spot and easily spent a couple of hours walking around the grounds and gardens. Bit steep in places though, so not completely accessible for all.
Written 26 September 2022
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.
richard r
Borgue, UK154 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
I cannot comment upon the house because you had to book and.we didnt have time.
The gardens however are well worth a visit. It is more of an estate than garden although there is formal planting near the house. The estate walks go down a hill with sweeping lawns and round the artificial lake at the bottom. At the bottom the path is wilder through big and willow. The walk back up the hill is quite stiff but the views are well worth it.
The cafe in a pleasant courtyard was dog friendly and very friendly. Plant sales as well.
The gardens however are well worth a visit. It is more of an estate than garden although there is formal planting near the house. The estate walks go down a hill with sweeping lawns and round the artificial lake at the bottom. At the bottom the path is wilder through big and willow. The walk back up the hill is quite stiff but the views are well worth it.
The cafe in a pleasant courtyard was dog friendly and very friendly. Plant sales as well.
Written 6 September 2022
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.
Jack S
5 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Very good house tour, guide was very knowledgable, nice little cafe with pleasant young girl serving.
Written 17 August 2022
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.
Amanda C
1 contribution
Jul 2022
Arrived, parked easily and signage to ticket office and cafe seemed clear to us. Cafe limited but pleasant young man doing tickets and coffees etc. Enjoyed a peaceful wander around the gardens and woodland walk enjoying the birdsong. The most impressive thing was the house tour by Lesley. So knowledgeable and informative with seats offered in most rooms whilst she filled us in on the family history, decor and furniture. A refreshingly relaxed guided tour but full of detail, I will certainly return with others who come to stay. Would give it 5* if better selection in cafe.
Written 25 July 2022
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.
Carol W
2 contributions
Jul 2022
We found Mellerstain to be a very unwelcoming experience. Signage is poor for first time visitors. Even the Ticket office was not well signed, when I opened the door to the gloomy office there was no visible attendant, but almost hidden in a dark corner behind the door was an elderly gentleman who seemed surprised to see me, and volunteered little information that I didn’t ask for, other than that there would be a tour of the house at 2.00 (1.5 Hours later).
It would have been nice to spend the time having some lunch. The delicious looking fare shown in the photographs on the website is non existent. We were told by the youth serving that they only serve crisps and those packs of two biscuits usually provided free on hotel hospitality trays. I later noticed a brief sentence on the website saying a restricted menu was being served due to the current restrictions (!). Come on folks, the restrictions were lifted months ago. A walled courtyard outside held only two tables for us to enjoy nibbling the plain biscuits.
While I am not fully disabled, my mobility is a little limited, and the extensive gardens would have been beyond even me. There is no evidence of any arrangements such as a golf buggy (even if it would have a cost) to allow less able visitors to see some of the garden and lake. Noticeably, during our time at Mellerstain we saw no one who looked as if they were in charge of anything, and no evidence of customer care, or attempt to make visitors feel welcome. Bad show, I’m afraid. We decided not to do the house tour and left for a warmer welcome elsewhere.
It would have been nice to spend the time having some lunch. The delicious looking fare shown in the photographs on the website is non existent. We were told by the youth serving that they only serve crisps and those packs of two biscuits usually provided free on hotel hospitality trays. I later noticed a brief sentence on the website saying a restricted menu was being served due to the current restrictions (!). Come on folks, the restrictions were lifted months ago. A walled courtyard outside held only two tables for us to enjoy nibbling the plain biscuits.
While I am not fully disabled, my mobility is a little limited, and the extensive gardens would have been beyond even me. There is no evidence of any arrangements such as a golf buggy (even if it would have a cost) to allow less able visitors to see some of the garden and lake. Noticeably, during our time at Mellerstain we saw no one who looked as if they were in charge of anything, and no evidence of customer care, or attempt to make visitors feel welcome. Bad show, I’m afraid. We decided not to do the house tour and left for a warmer welcome elsewhere.
Written 23 July 2022
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.
Suzanne M
Forfar, UK149 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Realised that this house now only offers two guided tours per day - one at 12 noon and one at 2pm. We decided to go early to ensure we got on the first tour and thought we’d have a coffee and cake in their café while waiting. We turned up just before 11 to find the café wasn’t quite ready as the folk manning it had had to step in for the usual staff and they couldn’t work the coffee machine. Not only that but there was nothing to eat other than overpriced packs of small biscuits (£1 for two biscuits) or crisps and the coffee was served in paper cups. This is very poor for such a prestigious house and doesn’t reflect what their website shows. The girl serving us didn’t know what to do about visitors who are members of Friends of Historic Houses, as we are. We did get a discount on the tickets though but she didn’t ask to see our membership cards and take down the information that we normally have to give on these visits. They didn’t seem to know very much, truth be told.
The tour though, surpassed expectations and allowed me to give this review 4 stars. Our guide, Margaret was excellent. It took an hour and a quarter and was full of information and the pace was just right.
This made the visit worth it but come on get your café sorted out - it lets you down hugely.
The tour though, surpassed expectations and allowed me to give this review 4 stars. Our guide, Margaret was excellent. It took an hour and a quarter and was full of information and the pace was just right.
This made the visit worth it but come on get your café sorted out - it lets you down hugely.
Written 1 July 2022
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.
Are dogs allowed in the grounds?
Alyson B
Manchester, UK204 contributions
yes, dogs friendly gardens.
tres0ret
Leon, Spain124 contributions
I'd want to know how to arrive to Mellerstain House in public transport. I wrote several times to the email of their web, also on FB, but nobody answered... Thanks in advance for everything.
Mellerstain T
Kelso, UK
Thank you for your enquiry. As there is no direct bus to Mellerstain, it would be helpful if you would kindly confirm when and where you are travelling from. We will then provide information on the best route, approximate travel time, available transport and any other information that would be of assistance. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Claim your listingMELLERSTAIN HOUSE & GARDENS: Tickets, Tours & Things to Know (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mellerstain House & Gardens
- Mellerstain House & Gardens is open:
- Fri - Mon 11:00 - 16:00
- Hotels near Mellerstain House & Gardens:
- (0.14 mi) 2 bedroom accommodation in Mellerstain, near Kelso
- (6.92 mi) Fauhope Country House
- (5.98 mi) The Old Priory
- (6.68 mi) Hendersyde Farm Holiday Cottages
- (8.05 mi) Bowden House Boutique B&B
- Restaurants near Mellerstain House & Gardens:
- (9.21 mi) The Plough Inn Leitholm
- (7.08 mi) The Hoebridge
- (9.49 mi) The Caddy Mann Restaurant
- (7.20 mi) Provender
- (7.24 mi) Seasons