Mellerstain


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Garden Name: Mellerstain
Last Modified (we set this): 20-01-2011
Garden ID (we set this): 0457

pic (we set this): 0457_Mellerstain.jpg
NOTE: If "missing", then please send us a picture for
which is at least 1000 x 1000 pixels in size. Thanks!


Garden Owner: The Earl of Haddington
Address:
Gordon
Scottish Borders


Postcode: TD3 6LG
County: Scotland
Country:

tel: 01573 410225
fax: 01573 410636

website: www.mellerstain.com

public email: enquiries //at// mellerstain.com
admin / private email: (add here for GG-only usage)

group master website:

English Heritage Grade (I, II, II*): 


Opening Days & Times:
<b>NOTE for 2013</b>: Please check with garden owners or their website to confirm current dates open <a href='http://www.mellerstain.com'>http://www.mellerstain.com</a>  Special Snowdrop Festival Opening27th Feb, & 6th Mar: Snowdrop Days. 11.30am - 3.30pmEaster weekend, all 4 days. 1st May - 30th Sept; Sun, Wed, & BH Mon. July & Aug; Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs. Oct Sundays only (incl. 31st Oct); 11.30am - 5.30pm. 


Parties / Coaches (Yes/No): Yes
Parties / Coaches Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment (Yes/No): Yes
Viewing by Appointment Comments: Special guided tours outside normal visiting hours.

House Open for Viewing (Yes/No): Yes
House Open Comments/Dates/Times: House 12.30pm - 5pm. Last admission 4.15pm.

National/Scotland Garden Scheme days (Yes/No): No
NGS/SGS Comments (PLEASE include DATES and Times):



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

...To see (pair by line with Best times to visit):
Roses and bordersAutumn colours.


Admission Prices:
House & Gardens, Adult £8.50, Child £4; Accompanied children under 5yrs. freeGardens only £5, Child £2.50. Under 5 years FreeSnowdrop Days Adult £4, child £2, under 5yrs free.


12 (Yes/No only) items follow here-
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 or Comments on (Yes/No) items above:
Limited access for the disabled.


Special Features, Events/Dates and other comments:
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.


National Collection:  

Garden 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.


Garden 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 (name, town):
The Old Thistle, Westruther

Accommodation (name, town):
Crosskeys, KelsoBurts, MelroseRoxburgh Hotel, Heiton

Restaurants (name, town):
Mount Hooly, JedburghChapters, GattonsideHoebridge, GattonsideBurts, Melrose

Village/Town/Sightseeing:
Kelso - 6 milesScott's ViewThirlestane CastleMelrose AbbeyFloors Castle