Rowchester West Lodge
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Overview
An enchanting Victorian gate lodge in a peaceful, rural setting providing the ultimate retreat from modern living.
A testament to the creative eye of the artist owner, the exquisite interior is a beguiling mix of pattern and colour inspired by its surroundings
Rowchester West Lodge has been meticulously restored to a very high standard by the owners, a creative pair who have taken great care to preserve the charm and character of this quirky building.
With a nod to its past and the peaceful, rural surroundings in which it sits, the Lodge’s calm interior features earthy colours and organic materials; wooden floors, marble worktops, wool throws and block print and embroidered linens with designs inspired by nature and the Arts and Crafts Movement. Alongside, are all the comforts one expects from a contemporary country retreat including sumptuous beds, a luxurious master bathroom, beautifully appointed kitchen, oodles of hot water and good Wi-Fi.
A haven for butterflies and bees, the entirely organic garden is a riot of colour during the summer months, the bountiful raised beds giving the sense of sitting immersed amongst the flowers. A south-facing sun trap, the seating area provides the perfect spot at any time of year to recharge, breathe in some of the purest air in Europe and admire the far-reaching views across rolling farmland to the Cheviot Hills beyond.
The Lodge sits in a delightfully peaceful position, with only deer, foxes, pheasants and owls as neighbours. Racehorses from the nearby stables that pass by the lodge on their morning exercise account for the majority of traffic on the quiet lanes that surround the estate, making it an ideal base for cyclists and walkers.
The Lodge is well-positioned for exploring the wider Borders region with the mighty River Tweed, the famous East Coast beaches and the Lammermuir Hills all within a 45-minute drive, in addition to a number of historic houses and castles to explore on the doorstep.
Property details
Ground Floor
Open-plan living area comprising:
Kitchen with French doors to garden, double electric oven with four ring hob, slimline dishwasher, fridge, Belfast sink, granite worktops, bar seating for two. NB There is a deep freeze in the understairs cupboard.
Dining table and chairs seating four.
Seating area with large L-shaped sofa, window seat reading nook, wood burning stove (a week’s supply of logs is provided), digital Smart TV, DAB radio, selection of books and games.
Bedroom two with zip and link beds, which can be configured as 2’ 6” twin beds or a king size double, as preferred. Chest of drawers, dressing table, hanging space provided by hooks and hangers.
Shower room with walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Utility room with washing machine, sink and wall-mounted clothes airer.
First Floor
Bedroom one with super king bed, chest of drawers, hanging space provided by hooks and hangers.
Bathroom with claw foot bath with handheld shower, separate walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
The lodge sits in a pretty garden with lawned area and an outside dining area set amongst the raised flower beds. Parents of young children should be aware that the garden is not fully-enclosed. A shed in the garden provides secure storage for outdoor kit.
Parking
There is ample parking to the side of the house.
Babies & Children
A travel cot and highchair are available on request. Parents should be aware that the garden is not enclosed and there are unfenced areas of water within the wider estate grounds.
Dogs
Regretfully, the cottage is not suitable for dogs.
Guest Amenities
Luxurious The White Company bed linen and towels are provided for all guests along with a mixture of feather and microfibre pillows and feather duvets. Guest amenities are provided. A hairdryer is provided in both bedrooms.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Fibre broadband is provided. Mobile coverage is good on most networks.
Heating
The house has electric central heating throughout in addition to underfloor heating in the bath and shower room, and a wood burning stove in the seating area. A week’s supply of logs is provided.
Guest Privacy
The lodge is standalone and very private, sitting at the edge of the Rowchester Estate. There is very little passing traffic on the drive or the lane that runs past the cottage.
Location
Despite the rural location, Rowchester West Lodge is remarkably accessible, just 3 miles from Greenlaw which has a pub that offers light lunches to evening meals, a butcher, pharmacy and a small convenience store for provisions. For a greater choice, the charming market town of Duns offers a good range of small-town shopping including a butcher, 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 in Duns 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.
Alternatively, Kelso (just 8 miles away) remains one of the most attractive and unspoilt towns in the Borders, famous for the majestic Floors Castle and its Flemish-style cobbled square which plays host to a monthly Farmers' Market. The town is home to a diverse mix of independent shops, a good selection of lively pubs and restaurants, and is host to regular National Hunt race meetings for a great day out.
Activities
Rowchester West Lodge is in an ideal position for excellent walking and cycling routes, from gentle ambles to more challenging routes, including tracks across the Greenlaw Moor which are suitable for off-road bikes, or the Borderloop Cycling Route which passes close by and is a stunning long-distance journey taking in wonderful scenery and attractions all the way down to the coast. Alternatively, join the route for a shorter stretch, taking in quiet roads and a variety of terrain which can be matched to your cycling skills and experience.
The final stretch of The Southern Upland Way runs from Lauder to Cockburnspath, and walkers can join this section at Longformacus (20 mins drive) for a short walk, or enjoy a full day’s trekking through the rolling scenery of the Lammermuir Hills, taking in the excellent viewpoints of the Twin Law Cairns all the way down to the spectacular cliff-top scenery of the heritage coastline.
There are a number of sites nearby that offer a diverse variety of birdlife and wildlife. Hule Moss on Greenlaw Moor offers extensive views and rewarding bird spotting opportunities on the loch, marsh and heather moorland while sites at nearby Westruther Moor, Gordon Moss and Duns Castle Estate all provide fantastic opportunities for walking, birdwatching and photography amidst peaceful and scenic surroundings.
Trout fishing is available on approximately 8 miles of the Blackadder Water, a tributary of the Whiteadder, through the Greenlaw Angling Association, a small club that dates back to 1880. The season is from 1 April to 6 October for brown trout only, but with easy access, it can offer some super sport when river conditions are right. Salmon fishing is available on the legendary River Tweed just a few miles away, while the Watch Reservoir sits a little further afield for those seeking sport in a still water venue.
For golf enthusiasts, Duns Golf Club is a scenic upland course situated at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills, just a ten-minute drive from the property. A further 16 courses are within a 30-mile radius, including the renowned Roxburghe Championship course near Kelso and the very pretty Hirsel course at Coldstream.
A half hour’s drive will take you to the stunning beaches of the heritage coastline, including Bamburgh, Holy Island and St. Abbs Head. Along the way, perhaps take time to soak in the rich history of the area by following the chain of castles and historic buildings that punctuate the landscape here - Thirlestane, Floors, Manderston and Mellerstain are all just a short drive away. The magnificent city of Edinburgh is an easy day trip by car or 45 minutes on the train from Berwick.
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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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
"We have just returned from our week at Rowchester West Lodge. We had a wonderfully relaxed holiday, mainly because the house was so peaceful (we were looking for absolute peace and quiet and it was perfect), and such a lovely place to be. The owners have clearly put a lot of thought into the renovation, both practically and aesthetically: they have done a great job. We were particularly impressed by the kitchen, which had exactly the right equipment without anything redundant, and where everything worked as you would hope (a rare thing in holiday rentals, in our experience). The window seat and lounge area were really comfortable, and the wood burner worked a treat. We had deer in the garden on two occasions, and an abundance of birds and insects, especially butterflies on the lavender in the outside seating area. We were blessed with mainly good weather, and have returned much restored. We hope to be back!"
Mrs & Mr Herissone-Kelly"This is the second property we have rented with Crabtree and Crabtree and have not been disappointed. The cottage is as described, in a beautiful location and thoughtfully, and tastefully decorated. It is also very clean."
Ms Keiller"Our stay at Rowchester has been a very comfortable, relaxing peaceful stay in a very sweet little property in a lovely location."
Mr & Mrs SmithAvailability
- Sorry, dogs are not permitted.
- Typical arrival day: Friday with the additional option of Monday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Curling up on the charming window seat with a favourite book, a pot of tea and views over the lovely organic garden."Olivia, Crabtree & Crabtree
