Some Local Attractions…….
Attractions that are registered with VisitScotland will have more detailed accessibility information available here
Accessibility information is taken from the Tweedale Access Panel report, and attractions’ own information. Prices and opening times are based on information available in March 2013
Robert Smail’s Printing Works
Distance: 5 minutes walk along High Street
7/9 High Street,
Innerleithen,
EH44 6HA.
Telephone: 0844 493 2259
Email: smails@nts.org.uk
A printing time-capsule featuring a completely restored Victorian printing works. Visitors can watch and experience for themselves the almost forgotten craft of hand typesetting. The buildings also contain the Victorian office with its acid-etched windows, the reconstructed waterwheel and many historic items.
Opening Times:
23 Mar to 31 Oct, Thur-Mon 12-5 (Sun 1-5).
Shop: 23 Mar to 31 Oct, Thur-Mon 12-5 (Sun 1-5);
8 Nov to 23 Dec, Mon,Thur and Fri 10-4, Sat 9-3
Admission Prices:
National Trust member free
Adult £5,
Family £14,
1 Parent £10,
Con £4
Accessibility:
Most shelves accessible. Space negotiable. Toilet available but no disabled toilets. Assistance available if requested. Internal stairs. Level entrance
St Ronan’s Wells
Distance: 10 minutes walk (up hill)
Wells Brae,
Innerleithen,
Peeblesshire
EH44 6RB
Telephone: 01896 833583
St. Ronan’s Wells is an attractive pavilion situated on the hillside overlooking the Leithen valley. Originally constructed by the Earl of Traquair in the 1820s to provide a comfortable retreat for visitors to the spa, it was largely rebuilt and extended in 1896 to accommodate indoor bathing facilities and a bottling plant. The spa was frequented by Sir Walter Scott as a boy and to this day hundreds of visitors come each year to sample the spring water which is still “on tap” at St. Ronan’s Wells. A browse round the interpretative centre will reveal its long and interesting history in some detail. A well, several underground tanks, an ornamental pond and a herb garden can be seen in the grounds behind the pavilion.
Opening times:
2nd April to 30th October-Monday-Friday 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-5.00pm and Saturday-Sunday 2.00pm-5.00pm
Admission:
Free admission.
Accessibility:
Disabled parking outside the centre. Full wheelchair access to visitor centre, including accessible toilet. Restricted access for wheelchairs in outdoor grounds.
Innerleithen Downhill
Distance: 5 mins cycle
Innerleithen Car Park
B709 towards Traquair
Established for well over a decade, the downhill trails at Innerleithen are regarded as some of the best in the UK. A rich history of track building has resulted in a rabbit warren of ‘natural’ and machine-built trails that drop steeply through the forest from the summit of Plora Rig.
All routes are graded ‘extreme’, with small, medium and large features. Full face helmet, gloves, body armour and a downhill specific bike are strongly recommended for all trails.
Uplift services are run regularly at Innerleithen by ‘Uplift Scotland‘. Booking essential.
Opening Times: All year
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Routes are steep and uneven
Traquair House
Distance: 2 ½ miles (45 min walk)
Traquair House,
Innerleithen,
Peeblesshire
EH44 6PW,
Telephone: 01896 830323
Email: enquiries@traquair.co.uk
Dating back to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland. Later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror. The Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite cause without counting the cost.
Visitors are invited to enjoy the house, extensive grounds, maze, craft workshops, 1745 Cottage Restaurant and the famous Traquair House Brewery housed in the eighteenth century wing and producing the world famous Traquair House Ales.
Opening Times:
Daily from 29th March – 14th April 2013; 1st May – 31st October 2013
(Weekends only in November)
| April – September | 11.00am – 5.00pm |
| October | 11.00am – 4.00pm |
| November | 11.00am – 3.00pm |
Admission Prices:
Families, House and Grounds:
| Adults | £8.00 |
| Children | £4.00 |
| Senior Citizens | £7.20 |
| 2 Adults 3 Children | £22.00 |
Families, Grounds Only
| Adults | £4.00 |
| Children | £3.00 |
Groups Rates (Minimum 20 People)
| Adults | £7.00 |
| Children | £3.50 |
| Senior Citizens | £6.20 |
| Guide Book | £4.50 |
Accessibility:
Traquair have produced information for disabled visitors on their website here
Glentress Forest and Go Ape
Distance: 4.6 miles (10 min by car)
EH45 8NB
Telephone: Forestry Commission 01750 721120
Email: dumfries&borders@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Glentress forest is one of the best mountain biking venues in the UK and the trails here have won a number of awards. There are also five lovely waymarked walking trails, with views of the Tweed Valley and wildlife watching opportunities.
Go Ape is built on the hillside within the forest making good use of the valley for some jaw dropping exposure, and features Go Ape’s highest zip wire over the reservoirs in the valley.
Osprey Watch Visitor Centre. Catch the latest comings and goings of the Border’s very own ospreys. CCTV cameras are trained on their nests and are beamed back to screens in the centre. Follow the progress of their chicks after hatching in early June, until the family leave for Africa in September!
Opening Times:
Forest Park Gateway: Mon-Fri & Sun 9am – 5pm. Sat 9am – 5.30pm
Go Ape: Open weekends in March; open Daily Easter Holidays; term Time (closed Wednesday and Thursday); open Daily Summer Holidays; term Time (closed Tuesday and Wednesday); open October Half Term (closed Wednesday); open November Weekends
Glentress Peel Café Open 7 days a week.
Monday – Friday: 9.30am – 5.00pm. Saturday & Sunday: 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Glentress Peel Bikes: Open 7 days a week. Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5pm. Saturday & Sunday 9am – 5.30pm.
Tweed Valley Wild Watch room:
Open 7 days from 10.00am – 4.00pm.
Admission Prices:
Car parking £1 per hour £3 per day
Accessibility:
The Osprey Watch Visitor Centre is directly accessible from the Hub Car Park (gravel surface). The ponds trail is a short (0.4 mile) route that is suitable for people with limited mobility. The Peel centre has disabled toilets and level access.
Kailzie Gardens
Distance: 4.9 miles (10 min by car)
Kailzie Gardens,
Kailzie,
Peebles,
Scottish Borders
EH45 9HT
Telephone: 01721 720007
Email: info@kailziegardens.com
In their seasons, including the display of Snowdrops, Daffodils and sheets of Bluebells, the Gardens provide a rich variety of colour and charm for both the keen gardener, and for the visitor simply wanting to enjoy a beautiful garden in peaceful surroundings.
Apart from the gardens, principal attractions for a day out include live viewing of the Tweed Valley Ospreys (Easter to end of August), the restaurant, a gift shop, Children’s Corner, putting green and a picnic area.
For bait- and fly-fishing pond information including corporate and club visits, call 01721 729020.
Kailzie also has a private 2 mile stretch on the River Tweed for fly fishing (for enquiries or booking call 01721 720009).
Opening Times:
Summer – End of March to end of October, Walled and Wild Gardens, Woodland Walks, 11a.m. – 5.30p.m.
Winter – End of October to March, Wild Garden and Woodland Walks during daylight hours. Please note that although the Woodland and Wild Garden are open for walks the Walled garden is closed during the winter months.
Admission Prices:
1st Nov – 14th March Adult £2.50 Child £1.00
15th March – 1st June Adult £3.50 Concessions £3.00 Child £1.00
1st June – 31st Oct Adult £4.00 Concessions £3.50 Child £1.00
Accessibility:
Disabled visitors can park close to the shop and restaurant. There is a disabled toilet. Some of the paths are gravelled, but wide and level and may be suitable for some wheelchairs.
Peebles
Distance: 7 miles (15 mins)
A Royal Burgh since 1152 and the rule of King David I, Peebles has for many years been a market town cherished by locals and visitors alike for its picturesque and unspoilt character. Peebles is also widely being recognised as an arts destination town and many visitors make the trip to enjoy the wide range of local contemporary and traditional art available. The 240 seat Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre is a centre of excellence attracting touring theatre companies, performing visual arts, dance, craft, music and cinema all year round. Peebles has the distinction of being ranked as the Top Independent Retailing Town in Scotland, and second in the UK, for its range of independent shops and ‘home town’ identity.
Accessibility:
Detailed notes about individual shops and businesses are available in the Tweedale Access Panel Access Guide. Also in this folder.
Peebles Swimming Pool:
Peebles Swimming Pool
Port Brae,
Peebles
EH45 8AW
Telephone: 01721 720779
Email: peebles.bslt@bslt.org.uk
Opening hours:
| Monday | 07.00 | 21.00 |
| Tuesday | 09.00 | 21.00 |
| Wednesday | 07.00 | 21.00 |
| Thursday | 07.00 | 21.00 |
| Friday | 09.00 | 21.00 |
| Saturday | 09.00 | 16.00 |
| Sunday | 09.00 | 16.00 |
Please contact the pool to check detailed timetable, as at some times it is closed for lessons or lane swimming.
Accessibility:
Disabled changing room with direct access to the pool.
Gytes Leisure Centre
Gytes Leisure Centre
Walkershaugh,
Peebles
EH45 8GL
Telephone: 01721 723688
Email: gytes@bslt.org.uk
Opening Times:
Opening hours for some facilities and activities may vary. To find out specific activity times please contact the centre.
| Day | Open | Close |
| Monday | 08.00 | 21.00 |
| Tuesday | 08.00 | 21.00 |
| Wednesday | 08.00 | 21.00 |
| Thursday | 08.00 | 21.00 |
| Friday | 08.00 | 20.00 |
| Saturday | 09.00 | 18.00 |
| Sunday | 10.00 | 16.00 |
Early Learning soft play area (£2.20)
Sat 10 – 6pm
Sun 10 – 4pm
Roller blading – open session (£2.20)
Sat 2.30 – 4pm
Admission: Various. Contact the centre for details
Accessibility: Level access, disabled toilet lift to soft play area. Wheelchair access to main sports hall
Dawyk Botanic Garden
Distance: 14.6 miles (30 mins)
Dawyck Botanic Garden
Stobo
Near Peebles
Scottish Borders
EH45 9JU
Telephone: 01721 760 254
Email: dawyck@rbge.org.uk
With over 300 years of tree planting, Dawyck is truly one of the world’s finest arboreta, boasting some of the tallest trees in Britain. Set amidst a picturesque glen in the heart of the Scottish Borders, these majestic trees form a splendid back drop to the abundance of native and exotic plants on display. Dawyck is a joy to visit at any time of year. Each season brings spectacular bursts of colour that you will want return to explore time and time again… Visitors can learn about this world renowned botanic garden at the new state-of-the-art visitor centre, also includes a café, shop and plant sales area.
Open daily 1 February to 30 November from 10am to 4pm/5pm/6pm
Admission: Adults £5.50 | Concessions £4.50 | Children £1 | Families £11 | Free for Friends
Accessibility:
The visitor centre is accessible in a wheelchair and has disabled toilets. The cafe offers full disabled access and is open to non garden visitors and groups. There is a short route available for visitors who use wheelchairs in the garden. Some of the other paths are uneven and hilly. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Melrose Abbey
Distance: 16 miles (32 mins)
Abbey Street
Melrose,
TD6 9LG.
Telephone: 01896 822562
email: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
At one time probably the richest abbey in Scotland. The 14th to 16th century remains retain a unique elegance. Believed to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’ s heart, marked by a commemorative stone.
Opening Times:
Summer
1 April – 30 September, Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Winter
1 October – 31 March , Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Admission prices:
All year
Adult £5.50,
Child £3.30,
Concession £4.40
Accessibility:
Parking is available 45 metres from steward’s entrance point. Visitors with disabilities can be set down closer at the cemetery gates.
Visitors can avoid steps by using the alternative route around the abbey. The church, cloister and museum grounds are suitable for visitors using wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
Free audio tour guides are available including a version for visitors with learning difficulties.
The Commendator’s house is only accessible with assistance. The paths and grounds are either gravel or grass which can be difficult in wet weather.
Bowhill House & Country Park
Distance: 16 miles (32 mins)
Bowhill,
Selkirk,
TD7 5ET
Telephone: 1750 22204
Email: bht@buccleuch.com
Bowhill, the Scottish Borders home of the Scotts of Buccleuch, lies in an idyllic spot between the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys in the wooded Border countryside. It is a five star visitor attraction with much to offer visitors, including:
- Guided house tours
- Theatre
- Victorian Bowhill
- Adventure Playground
- Trails
- Ranger Led Activities & Events
- Country Park Visitor Centre
- Tearoom & Gift Shop
Opening Times for 2013
Bowhill Country Estate
Open 29th March – 30th September (Closed Tuesdays excluding the Easter Fortnight, July and August)
Bowhill House
Access to Bowhill House is by guided tour only. The house is available to groups all year round by appointment, call 01750 22204 to arrange.
The house is also open to the general public on the following dates:
- 29th March – 1st April. Tours at 1pm and 2.30pm
- 20th & 21st April. Tours at 1pm and 2.30pm
- 4th – 6th May. Tours at 1pm and 2.30pm
- 19th May. Tours at 1pm and 2.30pm
- 1st – 31st July. Tours commencing at 1pm and running every 30 minutes with the last tour at 3.30pm
- 3rd – 5th August. Tours at 1pm and 2.30pm
- 24th – 26th August. Tours at 1pm and 2.30pm
Admission Prices
Summer House & Country Park (incl guided tour):
- Adult – £8.00
- Concession – £7.00
Country Park only:
- Adult – £3.50
- Concession – £2.50
- Under 3s – FREE
Family tickets (2+2) – £10
Accessibility:
Bowhill have produced detailed access information here
Harestanes countryside visitor centre
Distance: 26 miles (50 mins)
Ancrum
Jedburgh
TD8 6UQ
Telephone: 01835 830306
Email: harestanes@scotborders.gov.uk
countryside visitor centre – walks play area exhibitions and activities, cafe, craft shops
Opening Times: Daily 10am – 5pm
23 March – 31 October
Admission: FREE
Accessibility:
The visitor centre ground floor is wheelchair accessible with parking at the main entrance. A courtesy wheelchair is available for use around the building. Basket swing in play area suitable for a child to lie down
Jedburgh Abbey
Distance: 28 miles (50 mins)
Abbey,
Bridgend
Jedburgh,
TD8 6JQ.
Telephone: 01835 863925
email: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
A majestic building founded by David I in 1138. Today there is a cloister and herb garden to explore and a visitor centre containing 8th century carvings and artefacts excavated from the abbey grounds. Visitors can also enjoy the interactive play area within the carved stone display. New computer-based disability access tour is now open. Local crafts sold in the shop.
Opening Times:
Summer
1 April – 30 September, Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Winter
1 October – 31 March , Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Admission prices:
Historic Scotland Members FREE
Adult £5.50,
Child £3.30,
Concession £4.40
Accessibility:
Parking is available 90 metres away from the abbey, but visitors with disabilities can be set down at the abbey door. Wheelchair users can access the visitor centre but there are steps to the herb garden and cloisters.
Newcastleton
46 miles from Innerleithen
e.mail: info@visitnewcastleton.com
One of the 7stanes mountainbiking centres, Newcastleton also offers a range of walks, including the chance to walk across the border (and back). Newcastleton Forest lies in the heart of Liddesdale and borders England along the Kershope Burn. The area is steeped in the history of the Reivers and cross-border raiding. A large diverse forest which really does take you away from it all and to the edge of both nations’ boundary.
You must be logged in to post a comment.