Pentland Cottage
Stay just inside the Scottish border, amid an idyllic village close to the River Tweed.
Perfectly pretty, Pentland Cottage is a small, one-level home with everything you’ll need for a Borders break. Found in the teeny-tiny village of Horndean – a sleepy, leafy place ringed by countryside – it’s less than a kilometre from the River Tweed, and thus the English border.
Solo travellers or a couple, plus anyone who struggles with stairs, can expect to feel very content. The cottage’s rooms branch off a central hallway (look out for its bench seat). To one side is a spacious, modern kitchen containing vanilla-hued cabinetry and tiled walls, with all mod cons, including a natty espresso machine.
An open archway connects to the bright yet cosy lounge, whose comfy armchairs and sofa frame an old red-brick fireplace, its log burner and a Smart TV. The pretty cottage garden is visible through large windows as bookcases and a woven rug ramp up the homeliness.
With super-fast fibre broadband (up to 70MB) available, it’s easy to stream films each evening during lazy nights in. Along one wall here, below pheasant-themed print wallpaper, beckons a dining table for two.
The cottage’s other half contains a rear-facing bedroom and a generous bathroom. The latter pairs a deep bathtub – plus a stand to support candles or iPads as you soak – with a walk-in shower. In the sleeping quarter, tartan throws and curtains accompany a dressing table. The design remains stylish yet snug.
As well as a small front garden, Pentland Cottage boasts a larger lawn flanked by colourful, extremely attractive herbaceous borders. There is a bird feeder and nesting boxes to entice birds and other wildlife, and guests are encouraged to top up the feeder during their stay. A dining table allows for guests to dine outside too. Anglers will also find rod racks (the owner is a keen angler), and a secure outside shed can shelter bikes or golf clubs.
Horndean has no shops but Norham, three miles south-west and just across that border, has a pub, a post office and an excellent butcher’s, while supermarkets accompany many independent stores in Berwick-upon-Tweed, nine miles east.
Norham also has a ruined 12th-century castle and a church devoted to St Cuthbert, while another local sight is Paxton House: a Palladian-style stately home promising Chippendale furniture and a good tearoom. Within a short drive are Kelso’s magnificent market square, Cheswick Sands’ beach, Holy Island, waterside Bamburgh Castle or hikes and wild-goat safaris in the often-empty Cheviot Hills. Then again, you may just fancy a stroll along the Tweed.
Special Offers
15 % stays of 7 nights or more between 18 July and 30 August 2026.
10% off short breaks of 2 to 6 nights between 18 July and 30 August 2026.
Property Layout
GROUND FLOOR
From the front of the property:
Access hall with large cupboard and hanging rail for outdoor gear.
Sitting room with double sofa, armchair, 50” Smart TV, wood burning stove (logs supplied). Dining space with seating for three. Selection of books and games, DAB radio.
Open archway into the kitchen with glass ceramic hob and electric oven, microwave, full size dishwasher, washing machine (no dryer) and fridge with ice box.
Bedroom with zip and link bed which can be configured to a 6’ super king or 3’ twin beds, side tables, hanging rail, desk/console, cupboard with shelving and storage space.
Large bathroom with large bath, corner shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC. Underfloor heating.
Boot room with boot and coat storage, and a fixed dog bed to the rear of the property with stable door to the garden. This offers a handy heated space where wet dogs can dry out before entering the house.
OUTSIDE
Very pretty cottage garden to the rear which is enclosed. This comprises patio area with garden furniture, bird feeders, four steps up to the lawned garden with herbaceous borders. A barbecue is not provided. To the side of the cottage are rod racks for fishing rods. Secure shed with space for outdoor gear and bikes.
To the front of the cottage is a lawned garden with gravelled driveway. Café table with two chairs. There are three steps up to the front door.
Private parking for two cars in the front driveway.
Location
Pentland Cottage sits three miles from Norham village. This historic border village has plenty to offer alongside its own castle with a village shop, bakery, gunsmith and the popular Foreman’s Butcher where you will find a fantastic selection of quality produce including locally-sourced meats, pies, bread, and fine wines.
The Mason’s Arms is the hub of the community in Norham, serving real ales and tasty food as well as hosting social events. The fish and chip van visits the village each Thursday evening for those who wish to enjoy a traditional British take-away. Alternatively, if it is fine dining you are looking for, The Collingwood Arms at Cornhill-on-Tweed is just 9.5 miles away, or cross the border to The Cross Inn at Paxton (4.1 miles).
The Elizabethan walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is eight miles away offering more extensive amenities. The town has a mix of high street and independent shopping, as well as three large supermarkets, a Marks & Spencers food outlet and a good selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants. You will also find a theatre and art galleries within the town.
Pentland Cottage is an ideal base for exploring Northumberland's Heritage coastline and countryside with easy access to the Scottish Borders. 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.
Amenities
- Accessibility
- Allows babies in armsUp to 12 months.
- Allows children1 - 16 years. Double sofa bed available at additional charge. The sofa bed is strictly for use of up to two children only.
- Bath
- CotA travel cot is available on request. Travel cot bedding is not supplied.
- DogsOne dog is welcome. Dogs are not permitted on the furniture or in the bedrooms. Dog-friendly boot room with a fixed dog bed and access to the enclosed rear garden. This offers a handy heated space where wet dogs can dry out before entering the house.
- Enclosed garden
- HeatingOil-fired heating which is thermostatically controlled. Wood burning stove. Underfloor heating in the bathroom.
- Highchair
- Linen & towels provided
- Open fire/Woodburning stoveLogs supplied.
- Outside space
- Wi-FiSuperfast fibre broadband with speeds of up to 72MB. Mobile reception generally good.
All Amenities
Dog Friendly
Important Information
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: SB00856F. 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
Accessibility
Getting availability
On The Doorstep
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On The Map
Swinton, Duns, Scottish Borders
