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Garden Name: Mellerstain
Last Modified: 28/01/2010
Garden ID: 0457

pic: 0457_Mellerstain.jpg

Owner: The Earl of Haddington
Address:
Gordon
Scottish Borders

Postcode: TD3 6LG
County: Scotland

tel: 01573 410225
fax: 01573 410636
website: www.mellerstain.com
email: enquiries {at} mellerstain.com

Features: 
Thatched Tea Cottage with its little parterre garden. Haddington's family dog graveyard, sitting in the cool secret places and arbours among the scented flowers.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
Special Snowdrop Festival Opening
21st & 28th Feb, Snowdrop Days. 11.30am - 3.30pm
Easter weekend, all 4 days. 1st May - 30th Sept; Sun, Wed, & BH Mon. July & Aug; Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs. 
Oct Sundays only; 11.30am - 5.30pm. 


Best Times of Year to Visit: 
July/August.
October

To see: 
Roses and borders
Autumn colours.

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Special guided tours outside normal visiting hours. 

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: House 12.30pm - 5pm. Last admission 4.15pm.

Admission Prices:
House & Gardens, Adult £7, Child £3.50; Accompanied children under 5yrs. free
Gardens only £4, Child £2. Under 5 years Free
Snowdrop Days Adult £4, child £2, under 5yrs free.

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Limited access for the disabled.


Designer: Sir Reginald Blomfield
Description of Garden:
The gardens at Mellerstain are situated to the south of the Main House and consist mainly of five acres of terraces with, on the top terrace, a fine herbaceous border running its length, with a series of yew trees on the south side. Steps lead down to the East and West over the "Crypto Porticus" to the middle terrace which has a formal parterre on either side of the main path and a herbaceous border on the north wall. The path then leads down curved steps around the fish pond to the lower terrace and borders and thence on to the lake. The gardens command a glorious view over the lake and over to the Cheviot Hills twenty miles away.


History: 
The Hon. George Baillie commissioned William Adam to build Mellerstain in 1725. Adam also landscaped the immediate 3,500 acres in the style of 'Capability' Brown. The landscaping included a lake in the form of a Dutch Canal with broad walks around it and classical statues at intervals. Adam built the folly "Humundas Tower" in 1727, known as Hundy Mundy, in the middle distance to carry the eye through to the Cheviot Hills. Sir Reginald Blomfield was commissioned to build the Italianate terraces in 1909 and also to rusticate and enlarge the lake. The spoil was used in the terraces. The lower terraces extending down the hill to the lake were not undertaken in the event.

Local Inns: 
The Old Thistle, Westruther

Accomodation: 
Crosskeys, Kelso
Burts, Melrose
Roxburgh Hotel, Heiton

Restaurants: 
Mount Hooly, Jedburgh
Chapters, Gattonside
Hoebridge, Gattonside
Burts, Melrose

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Kelso - 6 miles
Scott's View
Thirlestane Castle
Melrose Abbey
Floors Castle