An exceptional property that blends opulent interiors with period features and Kelso’s bustling market town life
Set on a deep meander of the River Tweed, where it collides with the River Teviot, the bustling market town of Kelso is an architectural delight. Once home to the mightiest monastery in the Scottish Borders, the remains of the 12th-century Kelso Abbey now vie for the attention of architecture buffs with the graceful five-arched bridge over the Tweed (built by John Rennie in 1803, it was the model for London's Waterloo Bridge) and the 19th-century ornamental town hall, its octagonal clock tower watching over Kelso Square.
Scotland’s largest market square, the cobbled square has a distinctly continental feel to it: thriving market stalls, with their brightly striped awnings, fill the square, which is flanked by grand, Italianate-style buildings. Amongst these is the Grade II listed former British Linen Bank building. Dating to the mid 19th-century, the impressive townhouse has been sensitively restored and redeveloped to create a pair of sought-after holiday homes, including the sumptuous four-bedroom Linen House.
Stepping off Kelso Square, a private access door and double-turn staircase lead to a first-floor hallway with soaring ceilings and intricate architrave mouldings and cornicing, setting the tone for the exceptional quality of this coveted apartment.
The first floor provides ample living space for guests with a light-filled drawing room overlooking Kelso Square that blends an original slate fireplace and antique furnishings with superbly comfy sofas. A separate sitting room not only offers optional privacy from fellow guests but also delivers extra sleeping capacity, with a double 5' pocket-sprung sofa bed, which is conveniently located next to a bathroom with slipper bath and shower. And, just for good measure, there’s a cosy snug with a Smart TV and PS4 games console.
Also on this floor, the designer kitchen features large twin windows to enjoy the comings and goings of life in the town square below, a breakfast bar for informal bites and a large dining table that comfortably seats up to twelve guests.
A second double-turn staircase brings you to the second floor, which houses four generously appointed bedrooms. Combining original features such as fireplaces and shuttered sash windows with contemporary styling, each of these spacious bedrooms has hotel-quality Sealy Posturepedic mattresses and a slick en suite or adjoining bathroom/shower room.
Furthermore, there’s the option of linking the four-bedroom Linen House with The Scott Apartment by way of a connecting door through the snug/TV room. Stepping into the two-storey Scott Apartment, you’ll be instantly struck by the bold contemporary painting in the open-plan living space, which bathes the room in light and coordinates with the vivid Bumble Bee yellow of the sleek, newly fitted designer kitchen. The property’s thoroughly modern design is complemented by equally current technology with superfast fibre broadband and a Smart TV.
Set on the second floor by a separate stair to the rear of the property, the spacious bedroom features a super king bed (which can be configured as a twin upon request) with a hotel-quality Sealy Posturepedic mattress and a palatial en suite bathroom with a slipper bathtub and walk-in shower with a rainfall showerhead.
Should you wish to share your stylish bolthole for two, one of the sofas in the sitting room converts to a double 5' pocket-sprung sofa bed.
For smaller parties, the property can be let as two smaller apartments, with The Linen House sleeping up to ten guests, and The Scott Apartment sleeping up to four.
GROUND FLOOR
Access from the street with inner hall and hanging rail.
Stairs to the first floor leading to the main hall and reception rooms.
FIRST FLOOR
Drawing room with two large sofas, two armchairs, Smart TV, original decorative feature fireplace with slate surround.
Kitchen/dining room with central island. Five burner induction hob, two electric ovens with steam function, two further oven/microwaves, two full size dishwashers, large fridge/freezer (3 drawer freezer), large wine fridge. Dining space seating up to twelve guests using the table extenders.
Sitting room with double sofa, two armchairs, chess set, Smart TV, painting easel. The sofa converts to a double 5' pocket- sprung sofa bed which is available at an additional charge of £100 per stay.
Bathroom with slipper bath, walk-in shower (rainforest head), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
TV room/snug with Smart TV, PS4 games console and a small selection of games.
There is a separate utility room with sink, washing machine and separate dryer, along with an overhead pulley for drying outdoor wear. An iron and an ironing board are provided.
Second sitting room accessed from the TV room/snug, with two sofas (one converts to a double 5' pocket-sprung sofa bed, which is available at an additional charge of £50 per stay), armchair, Smart TV.
Second kitchen with electric oven, grill, ceramic hob, fridge/freezer, washing machine, full size dishwasher. Dining table with seating for two.
Separate staircase leads down to a separate rear access with a hanging rail for outdoor gear, and a chest freezer.
SECOND FLOOR
The Campbell bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Benefits from direct views over the town square.
En suite bathroom with walk-in shower, free standing slipper bath, double basin and WC.
The Roxburgh bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Benefits from direct views over the town square.
En suite shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
The Tweedside bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Overlooks Bridge Street.
En suite shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
The Maxwell bedroom with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred. Overlooks Bridge Street.
Adjoining shower room with large walk-in shower, basin and WC.
The Scott bedroom is accessed from a separate rear stair from the second sitting room. With zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or 3' twin beds, as preferred.
Adjoining bathroom with large walk-in shower, slipper bath, heated towel rail, double basin and WC.
OUTSIDE
The Linen House & The Scott Apartment sit in the town centre, benefitting from local amenities on the doorstep and is close to the riverside for walking dogs. There is no private outside space.
PARKING
There is public car parking nearby at The Knowes, which sits approximately 200 yards to the rear of the property and is free of charge.
BABIES & CHILDREN
Babies and children are welcome and a travel cot and highchair are available on request.
DOGS
Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £20 per dog and a third dog may be considered on request. Dogs should be clean and dry before access into the property and otherwise kept out of the bedrooms and off the furniture.
GUEST AMENITIES
The beds feature hotel-quality Sealy Posturepedic mattresses and Egyptian cotton bed linen. A hairdryer is provided in each bedroom. Towels and bathrobes are provided along with a full range of guest toiletries from The Scottish Fine Soaps Company brand, Au Lait.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi is provided with high speeds. Mobile reception is good.
HEATING
There is underfloor heating in both kitchens and in each bathroom. Otherwise, there is electric heating throughout.
GUEST PRIVACY
The Linen House & The Scott Apartment sit in the centre of Kelso directly overlooking the town square.
This apartment is located in Kelso. Borders Abbeys Way and Kelso Racecourse are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Woodside Garden Centre and Scott's View. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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