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10% discount on remaining stays between 3rd May - 24th May 2024 (3 night stay minimum).
Overview
A blissfully tranquil riverside cottage set in rural countryside where England meets Scotland.
A charming cottage set on the banks of the River Whiteadder near Berwick-upon-Tweed
West Mill Cottage is one of two cottages located on the banks of a large meander in the River Whiteadder just outside the village of Paxton. The river, which burbles just outside the cottage windows, is teeming with brown trout - catch them yourself or watch the local otter hunt for them. (The owners can help secure a local fishing permit). Chances are you’ll also spot deer grazing outside or catch sight of a kingfisher flashing along the riverbank. The ever-changing scenery doesn’t even stop when night falls – West Mill Cottage lies below some of the country’s most pristine dark skies, enabling memorable stargazing.
Set at the end of a no-through road three miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed, England’s northernmost town, and just east of the river from Paxton, a small Saxon village set in Scotland, West Mill Cottage is a true Borders home. From the cottage, a scenic footpath leads to a narrow footbridge that crosses the River Whiteadder and takes you to The Cross Inn at Paxton, less than half a mile from West Mill. The attractive Paxton House Gardens and Café is also an easy walk from the cottage while the castles, beaches, Elizabethan walls, restaurants and bars of Berwick-upon-Tweed are just a ten-minute drive away. Further afield, the Northumberland Coast is well known for its castles and deserted beaches, with attractions such as Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle within easy striking distance.
The cottage itself has been completely renovated with contemporary styling, making it a fantastic family home. The modern, light-filled kitchen is set in a rear extension, complete with a large picture window and glass door leading to the secluded and enclosed rear garden overlooking the River Whiteadder. The kitchen leads to one side to a sizeable utility room, which includes a large walk-in shower, and to the other into a spacious dining room, which is warmed by a wood-burner and features a comfy sofa for pre- and post-dinner drinks and chats. Further postprandial lounging can be enjoyed in the sitting room, whose wood-panelled walls are daubed in rich blue-black paint to create a veritable cocoon once the wood burner is roaring and soft lamps glowing.
West Mill Cottage boasts three bedrooms: the most spacious of the trio features a king-sized bed while a second double room features a super king bed that can be configured as twin beds. The last makes a lovely children’s room with a double bunk bed. In addition to the downstairs utility/bathroom, there’s a family bathroom with a bath and shower over on this floor. The views from West Mill Cottage never fail to delight: each window offers its own vantage point from which nature at its best can be observed.
Property details
Ground Floor
Rear access directly into the kitchen:
Kitchen with double electric oven and 4-ring ceramic hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, microwave. Door to rear garden and patio area.
Off the kitchen is a shower / utility room (two steps down) with large walk-in shower (rainforest head and separate mixer), radiator, basin, WC and washing machine.
Dining room / snug with dining table (seats 6), large sofa, sideboard and wood burning stove (with initial supply of logs provided).
Sitting room with two large sofas, side tables, wood burning stove (with initial supply of logs provided), Smart TV, Blu-Ray DVD player, selection of books, games and DVDs.
First Floor
Bedroom one with king size bed, side tables, wardrobe and chest of drawers / dressing table.
Bedroom two with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Built-in cupboard with hanging space and chest of drawers.
Bedroom three with bunk beds (suitable for children only) and chest of drawers.
An extra chest of drawers is available on the landing.
Family bathroom with bath with shower over (rainforest head and separate mixer), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
There is a small garden to the front of the house. To the rear is a large garden overlooking the River Whiteadder with a patio and outside seating. Please note the garden is not fully enclosed. A barbecue is not provided. Steps lead down to the parking area to the side of the cottage and onto the riverbank.
Parking
There is private parking for three cars to the side of the cottage.
Electric Vehicle Charging
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
Babies & Children
Babies and children are very welcome and a high chair and travel cot are provided. A selection of toys and games also provided.
Parents of young children should be aware that the property is close to the River Whiteadder and the garden is not fully enclosed. Children must be closely supervised at all times.
Dogs
Regretfully the property is not suitable for dogs.
Guest amenities
Bed linen and towels are provided along with hand wash and shower/bath wash. A hairdryer is provided in the two main bedrooms.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Superfast broadband is provided. Mobile coverage is patchy on most networks but generally improves outside.
Heating
There is gas heating throughout which can be thermostatically controlled. There are two wood burning stoves - one in the dining room and one in the sitting room - with an initial supply of logs.
Guest Privacy
The cottage adjoins the owner's house at the end of a no-through lane. The owners are on hand if required to help guests get the best from their stay but equally are very respectful of guests' privacy.
Fishing on site
The Whiteadder Water runs by the property. With a permit, you can fish for trout or grayling at certain times of year. To find out more, please click here.
SHORT-TERM LETS LICENSING
Scottish short-term lets licence number: Pending
The current EPC rating for this property will be available soon.
Location
West Mill Cottage is situated on a medieval estate where Edrington Castle once perched on the steep hill above the mill of the same name on Whiteadder Water. This rural location is peaceful and quiet and yet Berwick-upon-Tweed’s shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants are just a short ten-minute drive away.
Berwick offers a good range of unusual, independent shops including galleries, antique and restored furniture shops and quirky gift shops. Head to Bridge Street, in the town, where a thriving street full of small independent names and quirky shops can be found. From an eco-friendly retail shop and wool studio to a music shop and gallery, there is something for everyone on this community lead street. Popular deli The Mule on Rouge will delight the foodie amongst you, along with Atelier and Mavi Turskish Restaurant, which offer scrumptious evening dining. Enjoy craft beers and fine wines at The Curfew Micropub, a popular spot for the locals, but the small doorway on Bridge Street is easily missed by newcomers.
For further food delights, you will not be short for options. The area has a rich food heritage and there is something to cater for all tastes and budgets here. Enjoy tasty fish and chips on the promenade, cosy pubs, characterful cafes including Northern Edge Coffee and The Corner House, or bistro restaurants such as The Maltings Kitchen and The Queen's Head serving tempting light-bites or a pre-theatre dinner.
On the opposite side of the Whitadder Water from the cottage sits the village of Paxton and the very popular Cross Inn Pub offering a range of scrumptious pub dinners and exquisite specials. It is a 13 minute drive to Paxton, however, you may wish to take the footbridge over the river and a short walk across the fields on the opposite bank which will take you to the village.
The charming, ancient towns of Duns and Kelso are also nearby and Edinburgh is an easy day trip either about an hour by car or 45 minutes on the train from Berwick upon Tweed.
Activities
The countryside setting of West Mill Cottage is wonderful throughout any season and provides an excellent base to explore the wider area. You can explore Northumberland’s Heritage coastline, 25 miles of golden sands and secluded rocky coves that remain almost deserted even in the summer months. Some of our favourite spots include the stunning beach at Bamburgh, which has miles of pristine sand, popular for walking, riding, surfing, coasteering and kite surfing as well as the magnificent views from the cliff top walks at St Abb’s Head and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Nearby Berwick has a thriving arts scene at the centre of which is the charming Maltings Theatre which hosts a packed diary of theatre, cinema, dance, comedy and music. There are also a number of galleries in the town, including the Watchtower which hosts a diverse number of events, guest artists and musicians.
Why not take a wander around the Berwick’s historic Elizabethan Walls, the best preserved in Europe. Walk the The Lowry Trail which follows in the footsteps of the great 'matchstick men' painter and allows visitors to experience some of the hidden gems of the town, which Lowry discovered on his many holidays in Berwick from the mid-1930's to the summer before his death in 1976.
There are an array of fabulous castles and historic houses to visit across the area including majestic Floors Castle in Kelso and Manderston House in Duns, a stunning example of an Edwardian country house set in 56 acres of formal gardens. Just a mile from West Mill Cottage and you will also find Paxton House and Gardens which is one of Britain’s finest Palladian houses and home to the largest private gallery of any country home in Scotland with an extensive collection of paintings dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many of which have been loaned by the National Galleries of Scotland. The gardens and grounds that surround the house were designed by Robert Robinson, a follower of Capability Brown.
There are two golf courses close by; Magdalene Fields , five miles from West Mill Cottage, offers superb views of the famous Elizabethan walls, the cliffs leading into Scotland and the iconic castles at Bamburgh and Holy Island. Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty six miles south of Berwick, Goswick Golf Club is a highly regarded links course selected as an Open qualifying course. In total there are 34 courses within a 30-mile radius including, in addition to the above, the well-regarded links courses at Bamburgh and Eyemouth and parkland courses at The Hirsel and Roxburghe.
The area has over 26 miles of fantastic beaches just made for lazy picnics and outdoor adventures. Spittal Beach is popular with families with wide golden sands, an attractive promenade and fun splash park while Cocklawburn, Goswick and Cheswick beaches all sit close by. The stunning beach at Bamburgh is a also a must-visit, sitting just a short 20-minute drive from Berwick.
For more action-based activities, windsurfing, kitesurfing and coasteering are available at Budle Bay, Beadnell and Bamburgh, while canoeing can be arranged on the nearby coastal waters or river systems. There are also extensive cycling and mountain biking trails in and around the area, including favourites such as the Coast and Castles route as well as the recently launched Sandstone Way.
C&C experiences
We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.
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Children and families
Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.
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Fishing
Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.
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Golf
There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.
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Historic houses and castles
With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.
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Wildlife
Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.
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Walking
From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.
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Adventure Sports
If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.
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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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Ancestral history research
Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.
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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
Find Out MoreReviews
"What a lovely cottage and such friendly neighbours! We walked over to Paxton House, which is well worth a visit. We had a great trip to St Abbs where we saw a pod of dolphins and a minke whale. We didn't see an otter but there were Dippers, Grey Wagtails and we heard a Tawny Owl on a few nights too."
The Baxter Family"Such a treat to be here to end our summer holidays. We loved the peacefulness, dark skies, absence of traffic and the hooting owls. Goswick and Cocklawburn beaches were beautiful, the tour around Paxton House was wonderful and we very much enjoyed our lunch at The Cross Inn in Paxton. Thank you for your warmth and kindness, and all of the little details which made our holiday special."
The English Family"We have had the most fantastic holiday, made all the better for returning here each day. You have made it a wonderful retreat. We have filled most of our days at stunning beaches; Cheswick, Coldingham and Cocklawburn. We popped to Hadrian's Wall, walked the walls at Berwick, played mini golf at Alnwick, had lunch in Bamburgh (The Potted Lobster was great!) and visited St Abbs (New Asgard) & Eyemouth. It has been amazing. We spotted the otter, albeit very briefly, as well as the heron and we have loved seeing the hares going up the road. Finally, thank you for your kindness and wealth of information. I hope we will come back."
The Neil Family"West Mill Cottage is set in lovely countryside with a pub which does superb food nearby. The cottage itself is beautiful and the owners are lovely people who took us in and made us very welcome at such short notice. So a big thank you to them. We highly recommend a stay there, you won't be disappointed. We really enjoyed our stay at the cottage. Lots of little extras too. A big thank you also to Crabtree & Crabtree for sorting us out another cottage at short notice, they're certainly a very good company to book with."
Ms Starling"We had an amazing week! The house is immaculate - the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and plenty of space. The owners have done a superb job renovating it and creating a wonderful peaceful property in a beautiful spot on the banks of the river. The back garden is a sun trap and the river is right there to be enjoyed. Our children, aged 7 & 5 have loved paddling and spotting birds and fish. We felt very lucky to be only the second guests. We enjoyed trips out to Bamburgh Castle and Bamburgh beach, Ford and Etal, Berwick, Seahouses, the Farne Islands, Cheswick Beach, Paxton House and the local village pub. We would love to come back and cannot recommend the property highly enough to others."
The Binks Family"Just to say we had a fabulous week at West Mill Cottage. The only improvement which could be made was the weather!! It is a very special location indeed."
Mrs Mclennan"Heartfelt thanks to the owners for a wonderful week at West Mill Cottage. We arrived in the dark and were delighted to find ourselves in such a beautiful setting the following morning! The cottage has been lovingly renovated to a very high standard by the owners. We really appreciated the attention to detail and could not have been more comfortable. We loved the peace and beauty of the surroundings and the opportunity to marvel at the night sky. The cottage feels very secluded but it is only a short drive to the amenities of Berwick-upon-Tweed and the stunning beaches at Cocklawburn and Cheswick. There is a wealth of walking to be done from the doorstep and the local pub in Paxton is not to be missed! We hope to return. Thank you to the Crabtree & Crabtree team, as always."
Mrs SiljehagAvailability
- Sorry, dogs are not permitted.
- Typical arrival day: Friday and Monday.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Enjoying lazy family meals in the garden to the soft babble of the River Whiteadder."Andrew & Kim, Owners of West Mill Cottage
