Fordel Cottage
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Overview
A charming country cottage with a tranquil rural setting that’s perfect for exploring country, coast and city.
The perfect family escape for a taste of the good life
Fordel Cottage is every inch the country cottage with its stone and timber-clad exteriors, pretty enclosed garden and sweeping views of surrounding fields and paddocks. Adjoining a working arable farm, the cottage offers a true sense of the good life, with horses grazing just beyond the dry-stone wall that encloses the garden. Despite this sense of blissful rural isolation, the urban delights of Edinburgh and beautiful beaches of East Lothian are within easy reach, making it the ideal spot from which to explore country, coast and city.
The cottage’s living spaces and bedrooms are all found on the ground floor and include a bright, open-plan living space with comfortable seating for four and a dining area, which leads into a newly fitted kitchen generously stocked with appliances and essentials. Two bedrooms, one with a king size bed and the other with twin beds, share a bathroom which features a bath with shower over.
Outdoors, the pretty enclosed lawned garden has a sunny, west-facing patio area for al fresco dining and soaking up the countryside views and sunsets. Fordel Cottage enjoys a very tranquil setting - beyond the occasional interruption from animals and vehicles from the neighbouring farm, the rural peace is complete. And actually, the sporadic distractions are invariably welcomely received by children, who particularly love watching the ponies trot around the field at the rear of the property.
For those with restless feet, Fordel Cottage is ideally located for enjoying walking or cycling in the Dalkeith Country Park and Pentland Hills Regional Park, heading to the beaches of East Lothian, playing golf in the nearby Kings Acre and Newbattle courses, or taking a day trip into Edinburgh (just 11 miles away).
Property details
Ground floor
Access into an inner porch with hangers for coats.
Compact open-plan living space comprising:
Sitting room with double sofa and two armchairs. Dining area with seating for four.
Kitchen with induction hob, electric oven and grill, full-size dishwasher, microwave, fridge (with small ice box), kettle, toaster, and washing machine.
Bedroom one with 5' king size bed, side tables, chest of drawers and single chair.
Bedroom two with twin beds and chest of drawers.
Bathroom featuring a bath with shower over, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
There is an enclosed lawned garden to the front and side of the cottage, with a paved pathway leading to parking area. Garden furniture seating four on the patio. The garden looks over open farmland.
Please note that the cottage sits next to a working farm with associated farm traffic, however, this is an arable farm and apart from grazing horses, there is no livestock in the immediate area.
Parking
There is a gravelled parking area at the bottom of the garden with space for two cars.
Babies & Children
Children's dinnerware and a selection of books and toys are available. Due to space limitations, a travel cot and high chair cannot be accommodated.
Please note the cottage sits on a working farm with associated farm traffic, therefore children should be closely supervised in this area.
Dogs
One well-behaved dog is welcome at a charge of £10.
Your dog must be clean and dry before access into the cottage and must be kept out of the bedrooms and off the furniture. An outside tap is available in nearby steading if required.
Guest amenities
Bed linen and towels are provided for guests, along with hand soaps. A hairdryer is available for guest use.
Wi-Fi & mobile coverage
Wi-Fi with good speeds is available. Mobile coverage is good on most networks.
Heating
The heating in the cottage can be thermostatically controlled and there are wall-mounted radiators, which can be controlled individually.
Guest privacy
The cottage sits nearby the farm steading of a working farm, so there will be the occasional passing of farm traffic. The cottage has its own enclosed garden and is not overlooked.
Location
Fordel Cottage sits next to the pretty steading of this arable farm and is surrounded by rolling fields of countryside. While it is not an animal farm, you'll find horses sauntering around the fields outside the property and there'll always be a hare or two to spot. The cottage is well situated to enjoy both the tranquillity of the Scottish countryside, as well as the hustle and bustle of the nearby city and all it has to offer.
The nearest village of Pathhead (3 miles) will provide all the essentials, including a family-run bakery, Post Office and village shop. For larger supermarket shopping, head to Dalkeith (4 miles), and you will also find a pharmacy, additional shops and some restaurants there.
The Restoration Yard and Wellbeing Lab sits within Dalkeith Country Park (5 miles) offering great shopping, homeware, food and drink, giftware and more. There is the Fort Douglas Adventure Park to keep children entertained with treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides and climbing walls. The Coffee Bar and The Kitchen restaurant offer tasty breakfasts, lunches or afternoon tea using fresh, local produce.
The Secret Herb Garden (10 miles) is set within an old nursery and serves delicious and seasonal produce, such as soups, quiches and cakes which can be enjoyed in the gardens or in the glasshouse.
Travel into the city centre of Edinburgh (11 miles) for a wide choice of bars, cafés and renowned restaurants. Tom Kitchin’s The Kitchin comes highly recommended (be sure to book in advance), as well as Six by Nico, where you’ll be served six courses from their tasting menu, based around a different theme changing every six weeks. Or, taste what’s in season through the tasting menu at Aizle, then have drinks afterwards in the spectacular setting of The Dome (a must-visit at Christmas time for the incredible display of lights).
It’s better to use public transport when heading into the city, as parking can be tricky, but fortunately, Lothian Buses offer regular services from Eskbank and Dalkeith, or there’s a train station just ten minutes away (Eskbank Station), where you can take a short 20-minute ride to Edinburgh Waverley, right in the centre.
Activities
Nearby is Dalkeith Country Park (5 miles), 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland with family-friendly routes for walkers and cyclists and a jam-packed events calendar featuring music festivals and shows, wellbeing retreats and trail runs. The Fort Douglas Adventure Park, with its sky maze, magical turreted treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides, climbing walls and secret tunnels, will keep children entertained for hours. Later, stop by the Restoration Yard and Wellbeing Lab for great shopping, homeware, food and drink, giftware and more, grab a coffee and cake from their café, or dine in The Kitchen restaurant.
The area benefits from the largest dry ski facility in Europe at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend (10 miles) and a few miles further north will take you to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho (20 miles) where you can experience rock climbing, abseiling and bouldering, as well as the highest indoor aerial assault course in the UK.
So close to the wonderful Pentland Hills (13 miles), walkers and cyclists will be in their element with a vast number of waymarked routes to choose from. The Capital View Walk explores the Hillend Country Park, starting with a steep climb up Hillend Hill and along the path to the top of the ski-slope, offering amazing views across Edinburgh and towards the Firth of the Forth.
Local attractions include Rosslyn Chapel in the village of Roslin (11 miles), which dates back to 1446. Prominently featured in the best seller The Da Vinci Code, this beautiful heritage attraction has been the topic of many mystical theories including the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. A fascinating place, a fascinating history!
For avid fans of the ‘Royal and Ancient’ game, spend the day at Archerfield Links (20 miles), where you can play on world-class courses set amongst whispering pines and sweeping fairways. Stop off at Archerfield Walled Garden (19 miles) to explore the grounds of this 18th Century garden which once used to grow produce for Archerfield House. Now, it’s a pretty perennial meadow, wildlife area and kitchen garden. A visit here wouldn’t be complete without embarking on a magical fairy trail around the woodland or stopping in at the Garden Café to devour some hearty, delicious food with an emphasis on seasonality.
For mountain biking and forest trails, Glentress (26 miles) is a superb destination with trails to suit all ages and abilities. With a brand new £8.5m visitor centre, it also has a cafe, bike hire and instruction on offer but with some fantastic opportunities for walking and wildlife too. And for an exhilarating thrill 40 feet above the forest floor, there are zip wires and tree top adventures at nearby Go Ape (26 miles).
Despite its peaceful rural location, the City of Edinburgh Bypass can be reached in just ten minutes by car and allows easy access into Edinburgh and all that this magnificent city has to offer. Here, you can explore the fascinating architecture of the old town and soak-up the culture and heritage of this beautiful vibrant city. Wander the cobbled closes and narrow stairwells of the Royal Mile and Grassmarket; take a tour of the underground vaults of the old city; savour the atmosphere of the vibrant Edinburgh Fringe Festival or exceptional Jazz & Blues Festival, or visit its most famous landmark - the iconic Edinburgh Castle.
The spectacular East Lothian coast can be reached in half-an-hour with miles of expansive sandy beaches which are a haven for wildlife and birdlife. Favourite spots include the glorious family-friendly beach at Gullane; the dune-fringed sands at Belhaven; the dog-friendly cove at Yellowcraig; or the secluded sands at Seacliff - an enchanting gem with a tiny harbour and wonderful views north towards the Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle.
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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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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Horse riding
Horse riding is intrinsically linked to the history and heritage of the area and goes right back to the 13th and 14th centuries where townspeople would ride the clan’s boundaries to protect their common lands. Thankfully our riding pursuits today are not quite so dramatic!
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Shopping, arts and crafts
We are extremely fortunate to have a region where independent shops are king, and to have an area flowing with creativity through its talents in arts, crafts and textiles.
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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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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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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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Spas and beauty treatments
Everyone needs a little time-out to relax and for many that may involve a little pampering, the chance to experience new therapies, or simply some dedicated ‘me time’ to enjoy or practise disciplines which bring a sense of well-being and good health.
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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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Nannies and babysitters
Relax, explore the local area, enjoy a long lunch or a romantic evening out by hiring a fully qualified registered and experienced nanny or babysitter to come to your house.
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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.
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"We really enjoyed our stay at Fordel Cottage . The property was beautifully appointed inside and the setting was just lovely, with gorgeous views over rolling farmland and the Firth of Forth in the distance. We certainly hope to return!"
Ms Rees"Just a quick note to say we had a lovely stay at Fordel Cottage. It was the perfect base for a week away. We made the most of the good weather and explored all over the area. As well as many other great days out, we were lucky enough to experience using electric bikes for the first time in the most fabulous surroundings."
Ms WhatleyAvailability
- One dog is welcome at a charge of £10.
- Typical arrival day: Friday with the additional option of Monday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Relaxing in the sunshine with a good book and an ice-cold drink, enjoying the tranquility of this rural setting."Olivia, Crabtree & Crabtree
