Cairnbank House
You won’t forget your first glimpse of Cairnbank House, as you follow a leafy driveway past ancient stone gate pillars, the Old Stables and Coach House before crunching up the gravel drive to this splendid Georgian property. Set in 8.2 acres of lush gardens and grounds, which lead out onto rolling countryside dotted with horses and goats, Cairnbank House is a textbook example of symmetrical Georgian beauty: wide curved steps lead up to the front door, which is flanked by elegant arched windows. The house’s generous side wings, with their voluptuous bay windows, were added to the original house in 1855 yet blend in quite seamlessly.
Rumoured to have hosted Rabbie Burns, Cairnbank House blends quintessentially Georgian grand arched hallways, intricate cornicing and towering sash windows with a truly bucolic setting. Ideally suited for an extended family or group of friends, the house has been sensitively renovated to bring out its many period features and style.
The sophisticated drawing room is flooded with light from the large bay window overlooking the Cheviot Hills and a pair of soaring 14-pane sash windows flanking the fireplace. Tastefully decorated in delicate grey blue tones, it features a grand piano for those inspired to tinkle the ivories. There’s also a cosy sitting room overlooking the rear garden and paddock: daubed in midnight blue paint and decorated with burnt orange sofas and vintage Scottish tourism prints, it has the sultry feel of an indulgent gentleman’s club.
The spacious country kitchen features a sunny dining area for breakfasts and informal meals but you can’t beat the dining room for more special meals. Boasting sweeping views from its bay window, a roaring fire and a table large enough for 12 guests, it sets the scene for memorable occasions.
Follow a sweeping staircase from the entrance hall upstairs to discover three generous ensuite double bedrooms with a separate family bathroom. Featuring original wooden shutters and fireplaces, each bedroom offers unbroken views of the surrounding gardens and grounds. The master bedroom boasts an impressive bathroom with a roll-top bath and shower as well as a large dressing room, which would be suitable for a child's travel cot. The top floor of the house reveals two further attic bedrooms and WC under sloping (or coombed, to use the Scots word) ceilings.
With such a wonderful house to call your own, as well as expansive gardens and grounds in which to potter and play, you’re unlikely to wish to venture far from home. However, for all its tranquil sense of rural isolation, Cairnbank House is conveniently located on the outskirts of the bustling market town of Duns and just 20 minutes’ drive from the historic coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
Cairnbank House and Garden Apartment sleeps 12+2 with the addition of The Garden Apartment on the east side of Cairnbank House offering further accommodation for four guests for larger parties or those seeking some independence from the main group. Alternatively, if you only require two bedrooms or less but still want to enjoy staying in an impressive Georgian house, there is a low occupancy option to book Cairnbank Garden Apartment which sleeps 4.
Property Layout
GROUND FLOOR
Access into a large hall with ground floor reception rooms divided by a central staircase.
The ground floor accommodation comprises:
Drawing room with two large sofas and a large wood burning stove. Blüthner piano. Two armchairs positioned in front of the large bay window afford far reaching views over farmland towards the Cheviot Hills and coast.
Sitting room with two double sofas, Smart TV and wood burning stove.
Kitchen with Britannia range cooker with five burner hob and double oven, slimline dishwasher, large fridge with a separate freezer compartment above. Roberts radio. Informal dining space with bench seating and chairs for up to 12 guests. There is a full size dishwasher, washing machine and separate dryer in the utility room to the rear of the formal dining room.
Formal dining room with large dining table and seating for 10 guests. Open fire. Sonos sound system.
Small utility / boot room sits to the rear of the dining room with Belfast sink, WC, full-size dishwasher, washing machine and separate dryer.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom one - front facing master bedroom with super king bed, side tables, chest of drawers, decorative fireplace. Five steps lead up to a separate dressing room with plenty of wardrobe space. This is also an ideal space to place a travel cot for families with young children.
En suite bathroom with roll top bath, large shower with rainforest head and separate mixer, heated towel rail and WC.
Bedroom two - front facing room with king size bed, side tables, armchair, and dressing table. Five steps lead to an upper level with an in-built cupboard with hanging space which leads to the en suite bathroom.
En suite bathroom with large shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom three - looks over the rear garden and paddock with double bed, side tables, decorative fireplace. Five steps lead up to an upper level with in-built cupboard with hanging space which leads to the en suite bathroom.
En suite bathroom - bath with shower over, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
The floor also benefits from a family bathroom with bath and shower over (rainforest head and separate mixer) basin, heated towel rail and WC. This serves the two attic rooms on the upper floor.
SECOND FLOOR
Important - Please note that the second floor (the attic level) is limited to restricted ceiling heights of 6ft. throughout. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
Bedroom four with double bed, side table, chest of drawers, window seat.
Cloakroom with WC and basin.
Bedroom five with single bed with pull-out which converts to a double, chest of drawers, window seat. Please note that this room is suitable for up to two children only.
OUTSIDE
The property benefits from an extensive garden with far-reaching views to the front of the property, with garden furniture and garden recliners. Please note this is not enclosed. To the rear of the property is a lawned garden with a children's play frame with chute and swings, and a trampoline. This extends into a large rear paddock with football goalposts. This area is ideal for children and dogs and is enclosed with three bar post and rail fencing. Six burner gas barbecue available for guest use. Guests are responsible for the cleaning prior to departure.
Please note - if guests are staying at Cairnbank Garden Apartment, a separate apartment on the lower ground floor of Cairnbank House (east side), the garden to the east side of the property will be for their use only. Guests of Cairnbank House will have exclusive use of the front garden. The children's play area and paddock are shared with guests of the Cairnbank Garden Apartment.
There is parking for one car to the rear, with parking for two additional cars to the front of the property at the top of the access drive. Parking on the gravelled courtyard directly in front of the property is not allowed.
Location
The house is in the charming market town of Duns, which offers a good range of small-town shopping including a butchers, bakery, country and fishing store, a small Co-op supermarket, as well as a small selection of local gift and coffee shops. The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum has been recently revamped and is dedicated to the life and career of racing driver Jim Clark. The museum includes a unique collection of 100 trophies and memorabilia.
The historic towns of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Kelso sit 15 miles and 17 miles respectively from the property where you can relax and watch the world go by in one of the many cafes, delicatessens or tea rooms. Alternatively, head to the popular market town of Haddington (25 miles) where you will find an excellent selection of grocers, wine shops, florists and butchers sitting alongside charming gift, clothes shops and craft galleries.
Amenities
- Allows babies in armsUp to 12 months.
- Allows children1 - 16 years.
- Barbecue
- CotA travel cot is available on request. Travel cot bedding is not supplied.
- Dog friendlyOne well behaved dog is welcome (£25 fee). A second may be considered on request. Dogs must always enter the property via the rear door into the utility / boot room and dried off completely before entering the rest of the house. Dogs are not permitted in the drawing room, on the furniture, upstairs, or in the bedrooms. It is important to note that the area around the house is farmland with livestock, horses and goats therefore dogs must be closely supervised and kept under control at all times.
- HairdryerHairdryers are provided in the principal bedrooms.
- HeatingGas central heating throughout. There is an open fire in the dining room, and wood burning stoves in the drawing room and sitting room.
- Highchair
- Linen & towels providedDuvets are hypo-allergenic while pillows are a combination of feather and hypo.
- Open fire/ Woodburning stoveAn initial supply of logs are provided.
- Outside space
- Walking distance to a pub (under 1 mile)
- Wi-FiFibre broadband is available. Mobile reception is generally good.
All Amenities
Important Information
Please be aware that guests may be staying in the Garden Apartment, a separate apartment on the lower ground floor of Cairnbank House (east side). The Garden Apartment has a private garden area to the east of the building which is out of bounds to guests of Cairnbank House when the apartment is occupied. Please also be aware that this is not an enclosed space. The children’s play area and paddock have shared access with guests of the Garden Apartment when in use. If you have any concerns or would like to check if the Garden Apartment will be in use during your stay, please contact us. There is also a Coach House property which sits adjacent to Cairnbank House and a separate apartment on the lower ground floor of Cairnbank House (west side), both of which are tenanted properties. The residents are respectful of guest privacy but again, please contact us should you wish to discuss further or have any concerns prior to booking.
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.
Scottish short-term lets licence number: SB00446F. The current EPC rating for this property is band E a copy of the certificate can be found here.
Arrival time: 4pm
Departure time: 10am
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