Trifter

Romance on the Borders.

THE Scottish country mansion of Paxton House with its art gallery and country park, near Berwick on Tweed in Northumberland tells the story of a border romance. John Adam designed the hall in 1758 for Patrick Home of Billie and his intended bride, Sophie de Brandt. It is regarded as being the finest 18th Century Palladian house in Britain and contains the largest collection of Chippendale furniture in Scotland.

Paxton House is set in 80 acres of gardens, woodland and riverside walks among the beautiful countryside of the Scottish Borders and the unspoilt natural beauty of the Tweed Valley.

Patrick Hume’s spectacular carnival costume that he wore to the Hohenzollern Royal Court during his 1750 visit is on display. There is also an interpretation that charts the course of his Prussian romance.

The Picture Galley features paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland, including masterpieces by Reaburn, Lawrence and Wilkie as well as many other works of local interest.

Visitors can obtain refreshments and good old fashioned home cooked food at the Stables Tea Room in the fully licensed East Wing.

Wildlife is prolific around Paxton House. Visitors, who are following the riverside paths, are likely to see salmon, cormorants, herons and mute swans. Paxton has two wildlife viewing hides. There is one next to the river and another in the woodland which allows people the opportunity to observe the red squirrels in addition to the woodland and riverside birds.

The carriage house and Regency Gift Shop offers local crafts and produce, furniture, books, gifts, stationery and many other items.

Paxton House has extensive landscaped gardens, which include herbaceous borders, a fountain, croquet lawn, rhododendrons and a well garden. Part of these gardens are home to herds of Highland cattle and ponies.

There is the unusual beehive-shaped ice house, that was built around 1767, nestling under the bridge.

A boathouse that was build around 1848 and restored in 1995 currently houses a museum that is devoted to the history of salmon net fishing.

Salmon net fishing is still practised at Paxton throughout the summer months with viewing times being dependent on the tides. A salmon look-out point stands on the riverbank here.

There are picnic areas and an adventure playground for the children. Paxton House welcomes youngsters and provides house activity guides for the over sevens and there are various trails. Digs are welcome in the grounds and gardens provided that they are kept on short leads.

Paxton has disabled parking and disabled access toilets and there is lift access to most areas. There is also baby changing facilities.

A wide range of events, activities and exhibitions are held at Paxton. The Hayloft Gallery stages monthly exhibitions continuously from march until October.

Other activities include drama, machine rallies, falconry and music festivals. One favourite event is the living history characters when visitors can meet people from the past to learn their stories and how they lived. Professional groups stage outdoor plays with picnics in the grounds.

Paxton offers a wide range of historical, environmental and cross-curriculum schools education sessions throughout the year. The education officer can supply more details on 01289 386291.

The house can be booked for weddings, other functions and corporate events.

Opening times are 11:15 to 17:00 (last tour at 16:15) for the house between Easter and the end of October. The shops and tea rooms are open from 10:00 to 17:00 and the grounds and gardens are open from 10:00 until sunset.

Paxton House is well signposted from the A1 road near Berwick and more details can be obtained from 01289 386291.