The Hirsel - Ray Bells
Scottish Borders
View on Google MapsPhoto: Marja Vanderbaan
Ray Bells opens directly onto its own sitting area—a ground-floor layout where the living space, kitchen and bedroom all flow without internal doors to navigate. The bedroom has a zip-and-link bed that can be split into singles, an ensuite shower, and Freeview TV. The open-plan living area includes a woodburner (logs supplied), while the kitchen is equipped for proper cooking with a full electric oven, microwave and washer-dryer. Parking for two cars sits on the grounds, and an enclosed garden offers a quieter spot outside.
The cottage occupies the Hirsel Estate near Coldstream in the Scottish Borders, surrounded by managed parkland and woodland. Guests have direct access to waymarked walks through the estate and around Dundock Wood, where rhododendrons and azaleas flower from May to June. Within the estate grounds, the Homestead courtyard holds a countryside museum, craft workshops and a tea room. Berwick-upon-Tweed's beaches are a 30-minute drive; Edinburgh is an hour away. A Co-op Food store and pub lie about a mile off. Wi-Fi, electricity, bed linen and towels are included. The property does not allow smoking. There is an unfenced lake within the grounds, roughly 550 yards from the cottage.
Sleeps & rooms
What's on offer
Check-in & check-out
Arrive after 16:00 Depart before 10:00
🚭 No smoking, please
What guests say
Hirsel Estate was a lovely place to visit. The £2.50 car park was an absolute bargain for such a beautiful location. There are plenty of woodland walks around the lake and estate, perfect for dogs (on lead), along with stunning rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom and even Highland cows to see. We also had lunch at the Homestead Café, which was excellent — friendly staff and delicious food.
2 months ago · via Google
Beautiful estate with gorgeous walks through park land and woods. Very well-maintained. Café and farm shop on site and a pottery. Ancestral home of Sir Alec Douglas Home. There is a monument celebrating his life at the entrance to the estate.
3 months ago · via Google
We visited coldstream and found this estate to walk round with the kids, it was a fantastic day with a number of different areas you can walk round, these included some woodland walks and some open field walks. Took some pictures of the highland cows and there were other animals in the fields.
4 months ago · via Google
A beautiful place to visit, lovely cafe with very quick service and we really enjoyed our lunch which was very reasonably priced. The small museums covering many different aspects of estate life were very interesting. Lovely play park for the kids. We opted for a coffee and cake at the picnic benches out the front of the farm shop where we were watching the swans. All for a small car park fee of £2.50. Won’t be our last visit I’m sure.
4 months ago · via Google
Visitors say this estate offers beautiful walks through well-maintained parkland and woods, with interesting museums and artisan shops. They also highlight the delicious and reasonably priced food at the cafe, along with the friendly and professional staff. Guests mention the convenient and ample parking, which is considered a bargain.
Summary via Google