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Overview
A sophisticated Grade II listed townhouse apartment that sits proudly on one corner of Kelso's vibrant, continental-style square.
An exceptional property that blends opulent interiors with period features and Kelso’s bustling market town life
Set on a deep meander of the river Tweed, where it collides with the river Teviot, the bustling market town of Kelso is as rich in history and architectural merit as it is in contemporary urban appeal. Home to the remains of what was once the mightiest monastery in the Scottish Borders, visitors to Kelso will also discover two stately homes (including the magnificent Floors Castle & Gardens), a graceful five-arched bridge that served as the model for London's Waterloo Bridge, and Scotland’s largest market square.
Fanning out from the square, streets lined with grand Georgian and Victorian buildings house atmospheric pubs, lively coffee shops, independent shops and diverse restaurants. Further home to two excellent butchers’ shops, a fishmonger, several bakeries, a thoroughbred horse racing venue and annual art and folk festivals, Kelso really does offer something for every visitor.
For all its prominence as a Borders town, the cobbled Kelso Square has a distinctly continental feel to it: thriving market stalls, with their brightly striped awnings, fill the square for the monthly Farmers’ market, which is flanked by grand, Italianate-style buildings. Amongst these is the Grade II listed former British Linen Bank building. Dating to the mid 19th-century, the impressive townhouse has been sensitively restored and redeveloped to create the sumptuous four-bedroom Linen House.
Stepping off Kelso Square, a private access door and double-turn staircase lead to a first-floor hallway with soaring ceilings and intricate architrave mouldings and cornicing, setting the tone for the exceptional quality of this coveted townhouse. The first floor provides ample living space for guests with a light-filled drawing room overlooking Kelso Square that blends an original slate fireplace and antique furnishings with superbly comfy sofas.
A separate sitting room offers guests an alternative spot for reading the morning papers, enjoying sundowners or playing a game of chess by the towering sash window overlooking the cobbled Oven Wynd lane. In keeping with a property that’s been fully renovated to the highest specifications, there’s also a cosy snug with a Smart TV and PS4 games console.
Still on this floor, the top-spec designer kitchen features large twin windows from which to enjoy the comings and goings of life in the town square below while you take breakfast at the island bar or enjoy convivial group meals at the large dining table, which comfortably seats up to twelve guests.
Moving up to the second floor with another dramatic double-turn staircase, you’ll find four generously appointed bedrooms. Combining original period features such as decorative period fireplaces and shuttered sash windows, each of these spacious bedrooms boasts supremely comfy beds, sweeping views of the town and a smart en suite bathroom or shower room.
Should you be travelling as part of a larger group, it is possible to link the Linen House with The Scott Apartment, a one-bedroom property located within the townhouse, by way of a connecting door.
Low occupancy discount available from October 2021 to March 2022 (excluding October half term and Festive dates). 10% discount for parties making use of 3 bedrooms only and 20% discount for parties making use of 2 bedrooms only. Please contact us to redeem this offer.
Property details
Ground Floor
Access from the street with inner hall and hanging rail.
Stairs to the first floor leading to the main reception rooms.
First Floor
Drawing room with two large sofas, two armchairs, Smart TV, original decorative feature fireplace with slate surround.
Kitchen / dining room with central island. Five burner induction hob, two electric ovens with steam function, two further oven/microwaves, two full-size dishwashers, large fridge/freezer (3-drawer freezer), large wine fridge. Dining space seating up to twelve guests using the table extenders, and Smart TV.
Sitting room with double sofa, two armchairs, chess set, painting easel, and Smart TV. The sofa converts to a double 5' pocket-sprung sofa bed which is available at an additional charge of £100 per stay.
Bathroom with slipper bath, walk-in shower (rainforest head), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
TV room/snug with Smart TV, PS4 games console and a small selection of games.
There is a separate utility room with sink, washing machine and separate dryer, along with an overhead pulley for drying outdoor wear. An iron and an ironing board are provided.
Second Floor
The Campbell bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Benefits from direct views over the town square.
En suite bathroom with walk-in shower, free standing slipper bath, double basin and WC.
The Roxburgh bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Benefits from direct views over the town square.
En suite shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
The Tweedside bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Overlooks Bridge Street.
En suite shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
The Maxwell bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Overlooks Bridge Street.
Adjoining shower room with large walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Outside
The Linen House sits in the town centre, benefitting from local amenities on the doorstep and is close to the riverside for walking dogs. There is no private outside space.
Parking
There is public car parking nearby at The Knowes, which sits approximately 200 yards to the rear of the property and is free of charge.
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 welcome and a travel cot and highchair are available on request.
Dogs
Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £30 per dog and a third dog may be considered on request. Dogs should be clean and dry before access into the property and otherwise kept out of the bedrooms and off the furniture.
Guest Amenities
The beds feature hotel-quality Sealy Posturepedic mattresses and Egyptian cotton bed linen. A hairdryer is provided in each bedroom. Towels are provided along with a full range of guest toiletries from The Scottish Fine Soaps Company brand, Au Lait.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is provided with high speeds. Mobile reception is good.
Heating
There is underfloor heating in the kitchen and in each bathroom. Otherwise there is electric heating throughout.
Guest Privacy
The Linen House sits in the centre of Kelso directly overlooking the town square.
Additional Accommodation
The Linen House adjoins The Scott Apartment, sleeping up to 4 guests, via a lockable interconnecting door. The Linen House & Scott Apartment can be booked as a combined unit, sleeping up to 14 guests.
SHORT-TERM LETS LICENSING
Scottish short-term lets licence number: SB00336F
The current EPC rating for this property is band F, a copy of the certificate can be found here.
Location
Sitting right in the centre of Kelso, guests can enjoy all the amenities of this busy market town with its pretty Flemish style square and rich Georgian and Victorian architecture. You will find excellent local amenities here with plenty of pubs, restaurants and coffee shops to choose from, as well as a fine range of independent shops where you are guaranteed a warm welcome. For provisions, the town is served by two excellent butchers’ shops, a fishmonger, and a number of bakeries, while two large supermarkets sit nearby for all of your holiday needs.
For dining-out, The Cobbles is highly regarded for its food and friendly atmosphere, or for light lunches you will find plenty of tempting treats in the many cafes in the town - including 'Off The Square'; Cafe U or the Terrace Cafe at Floors Castle.
Activities
The Linen House is available for short breaks as well as weekly lets, allowing guests to take advantage of the many events taking place across the area, such as the regular National Hunt Race meets at Kelso Racecourse, the Floors Castle Horse Trials, the Massed Pipes and Drums, the Open Golf Championships at the Roxburghe, Antique Fairs at the Border Union Showground, or the fantastic Borders Book Festival or Walking Festival.
Floors Castle, the magnificent home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe is just a fifteen-minute walk from the property. Visitors can take a tour of the castle led by knowledgeable guides who will introduce you to the history of this exceptional residence and its priceless collection of fine art, tapestries and porcelain. Indulge in an afternoon cream tea at the Terrace Cafe, take a wander through the beautiful grounds of the estate and the pretty walled garden centre, followed perhaps by a visit to the stately homes of Manderston, Mellerstain, Paxton House or Abbotsford which are all within a half-hour drive.
For outdoor sports, the town is synonymous with fishing, sitting on the confluence of the rivers Tweed and Teviot, and has several prime beats on the doorstep in addition to some excellent and reasonably priced fishing on the Teviot system. For golf enthusiasts, Kelso Golf Club is an attractive parkland course resting on the edge of the town while the sublime Roxburghe Championship Course sits just 3 miles from the property - recently voted 6th best course in Scotland by readers of the country’s best-selling golf title.
The area has endless opportunities for walking and cycling with hundreds of miles of quiet country lanes, way-marked routes and forest trails to explore; from short gentle meanders to long-distance trails, taking in the outstanding scenery of the Cheviot Hills, the Pennine Way and Dere Street. The Borders Abbeys Way takes in the magnificent monastic ruins of Kelso Abbey, while the Kelso to Roxburgh circular is a scenic 3-hour walking route taking in historic sites of interest and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities along the way.
For family-friendly activities, Shedden Park has a play park, skate park and plenty of green open space for running around, while a swimming pool, fitness studio, gym, and tennis courts all sit just a five-minute walk from the property. The town has an ice rink that is open during the winter months for curling and skating, and a dance studio sits nearby with everything from hip-hop to jazz.
A half-hour will take you to the wonderful heritage coastline with miles of deserted golden sands perfect for rest or play, while the cultural city of Edinburgh is just an hour’s drive where you can take advantage of events such as the vibrant Edinburgh Fringe Festival, exceptional Jazz & Blues Festival, or simply a day-out exploring the exquisite historical architecture of this beautiful city.
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.
Find Out MoreServices
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
"Six friends have had a fantastic few days in the grand Linen House. We spent our days soaking up the town and its surrounding beauty. We ventured further afield and visited Bamburgh and the Potted Lobster - it was fabulous! We can also strongly recommend Scott's Deli which is based around the corner for lunch and home cooking."
Anonymous"Thank you very much for a fabulous stay in your luxurious house. The house has all the amenities you could think of. The property was extremally comfortable and we hope to visit again soon."
Marlow PartyThoroughly enjoyed our stay at the lovely Linen House - very comfortable. We'd certainly recommend this accommodation and town, which is beautifully clean.
Gunning"Thank you so much for our stay at this beautiful, elegant comfortable and spacious house. During our stay we visited Melrose, Lindisfarne plus a quick trip to the Edinburgh fringe. Returning home each evening to a sumptuous meal in the splendid kitchen. I am afraid we could not bring ourselves to dress for the occasion- but we felt like we ought to have."
Osborn Party"The BEST accommodation we have stayed in and we have been doing golf trips for 20 years (37 trips in total) and Linen House is by far the best we have stayed. Spacious, well appointed, comfy beds, great showers and baths. Not one thing negative to say about the place, it was just fab and a great way to people watch from the kitchen window when we were waiting to golf. Well worth the money to rent this place either as double beds or singles, it's just spot on and you cannot hear a peep from other rooms there that big. A big thumbs up from my group and we would most certainly rent again if playing up that way and have no hesitation in recommending to friends and family. A++"
Mr Brodie"My friends and I stayed at the Linen House last weekend. We were met by the lovely house keeper who gave us a warm welcome and an excellent tour of the apartment explaining how everything worked. The apartment was big, warm and comfortable and equipped with everything we needed to feed 10 people. I would recommend The Linen House to anyone wanting to visit Kelso and the Borders."
Mr & Mrs Meldrum"What a wonderful place to celebrate a 60th birthday. I would say it looks even better than the photos and certainly lived up to all expectations. We have all enjoyed our stay from the oldest at 88 to the youngest at 6. We hope to return to the Linen House."
The Wood Family“Thanks to Nikki for making sure the apartment was ready for us. You have been so helpful and accommodating. We stayed at Linen house to host a birthday party. He held a function in the Cross Keys and clay pigeon shooting at the Roxburgh Estate. The weather was also on our side! Linen House and outlook is so classy and comfortable, which is a difficult balance, it has been achieved here.”
Mr & Mrs Crossan
"Everyone is of the same opinion. What a magnificent place! A mixture of golfing friends and long standing friends who meet up on a regular basis, from various parts of the UK. We have stayed in Kelso before but this beats the last place into a cocked hat. Everything catered for. We have all really enjoyed our stay here."
Johnston Party"Wonderfully comfortable accommodation looking forward to our October visit. Thank you to the housekeeper for all your amazing help you made all the difference."
Sawford Party"Super digs!
We have had a lovely week in Kelso.
Thank you for a lovely stay."
Berridge Family"Many thanks for your help.
We LOVED the apartment and had a great trip"
Broadhead family"We've had a lovely time in this excellent accommodation."
Ms Whyte"We feel very privileged to have stayed in such an amazing property. Looking over the Square and watching folks go about their business, walking dogs is really quite the sport. The weather has been superb too. Days out to Edinburgh and North Berwick complimented with days just hanging around Kelso - idyllic. We also took a walk to floors castle (30 minutes) for the obligatory coffee and cake. We had lovely meals at The Cobbles and The Waggon (twice, great value). Finally, the housekeeper - diligently waiting for us, she gave us a really friendly welcome. You can see how much proud and knowledge she has in the property. We had no reason to call her as everything was just perfect! I am pretty sure we will be back!"
Ratcliffe Family"My, oh my! What a gem! We recently stayed at Linen House in the beautiful Kelso. The house is absolutely beautiful and we all thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Everything has been carefully thought about. The beds are extremely comfortable, with an array of pillows to chose from. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need, from plastic cups for the children to two ovens and microwaves. The living room is comfortable with huge sofas and the perfect place to relax after a long day exploring. So much thought and detail have been put into this house and the decor and accessories are beautiful. The housekeeper, is lovely and so friendly, making sure we had everything we needed. We will certainly be back soon!"
Maw Family"We have had a super time in Kelso and the Linen House has been a perfectly luxurious place to home a family get together. Such a tonic after the months of lockdown and gloom. The weather has been fantastic and there is really so much to do and see in The Borders. A huge thank you to the housekeeper, who has been an excellent host! Terrifically helpful and always on land to provide support and guidance."
Breen Family"We had a wonderful stay at linen house, it is a lovely location."
Mr Warner"We are 4 sisters who hadn't been on holiday together for a very long time! We loved Kelso and the apartment. The views across the Square are truly fantastic and we have had a really lovely stay! Thank you to the housekeeper and Crabtree!"
Mrs Friswell"Wonderful few days - thank you!"
Mrs BeatyAvailability
- Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £30 per dog.
- Typical arrival day: Flexible
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The grand proportions and sweeping staircase of the Linen House creates a dramatic first impression."Paul & Ellie, owners of the Linen House
