Guest Rating
The perfect rural retreat awaits at The Old Mill, a beautifully crafted eco-house nestled in the peaceful hamlet of Hownam, near Kelso (10 miles) in the Scottish Borders.
Quick Info
| Sleeps: 4/8 | Bedrooms: 5 |
| Changeover Day: Sat | Pets Allowed: No |
| No smoking | Bathrooms: 2 |
| Licence No: SLL000070 |
Designed with sustainability in mind, the house is built from straw bale and timber cladding, offering superb insulation. Inside, it stays warm and welcoming with central heating, a wood-burning stove, and triple glazing. The vast open-plan living area is thoughtfully arranged for cooking, dining, and relaxing, with guitars and a piano available for impromptu musical moments.
The covered verandah is an idyllic spot to sit on the rocking chairs and take in the serene surroundings. The property overlooks a stream, where dippers and herons often visit, and large areas of the grounds are left wild to encourage birds, hares, and even the occasional otter. Each spring, house-martins nest here. Guests can explore sprawling lawns, a raised herb garden, a small orchard with a reading bench, and a live willow seat tucked among silver birch trees. A superb bothy/games room, fully insulated and double-glazed, features a sleeping platform for an adventurous glamping experience. Everyone can find their own wild space and enjoy a back-to-nature break.
The five bedrooms are named after local rivers and streams. The ground-floor double bedroom, ‘Bowmont Water,’ is bright and accessible, with a ramp at the back door for those with mobility limitations. Upstairs, off a central landing, are two doubles (‘Kale’ and ‘Hownam Burn’) and two singles (‘Tweed’ and ‘Teviot’), which share a family bathroom and a separate shower room. ‘Hownam Burn’ is a fixed double, while the other two doubles can be configured as either king-size or twin beds. Large Velux windows flood the rooms with natural light and offer breathtaking views of the night sky, making The Old Mill a paradise for stargazers. An upstairs lounge provides a separate space to unwind, with a TV, an extensive book collection, a panoramic picture window, and an air-hockey table.
Set within half an acre of picturesque grounds, the house has parking for up to four cars. The south-facing patio captures the sun for most of the day, while a wooden bridge leads to the bothy, where younger guests can enjoy the pool table and music system before a night on the mezzanine platform.
Please note: Due to the lively stream in the garden, The Old Mill is not suitable for children under five. Maximum occupancy is eight guests.
With so much countryside all around and the Cheviot foothills rising from the garden, it is easy to get out exploring. Nearby Hownam Law (2 miles) is sure to be one of the first on the list of hills to try with wonderful views from the summit.
For more of a challenge, the wild and remote Cheviots stretch down into Northumberland and the Pennine Way marks the boundary with England high along the border ridge.
For something a bit different visit Beirhope Alpacas (2 miles) where there is the chance to feed and even walk these amazing animals, a lasting childhood memory to be sure! The village of Morebattle (4 miles) has a village shop and a hotel bar restaurant that offers a handy takeaway option.
Kelso (10 miles) is a bustling and prosperous market town with a selection of interesting independent shops to peruse as well as supermarkets and an excellent choice of eating and drinking venues. The imposing 12th century abbey within the town is one of four in the local area, which are linked by the 68 mile long Borders Abbeys Way.
On the edge of Kelso is the glorious Floors Castle that is well worth a visit, particularly for history enthusiasts. The quiet country roads are great for cyclists while mountain bikers may prefer the impressive graded downhill trails at Innerleithen (40 miles) where one of the famous 7stanes centres is based.
The Border towns of Jedburgh (10 miles), Hawick (20 miles), Melrose (23 miles) and Galashiels (28 miles) are all easily accessible to head to for trips out. The Berwickshire and Northumberland coastline only an hour’s drive away offers miles and miles of lovely sandy beaches, which are frequently rated among Britain’s best. A day spent up in the capital Edinburgh, by jumping on the train at Tweedbank (25 miles), is an absolute ‘must do’.
For a mix of history, nature, and relaxation, The Hirsel at Coldstream (16 miles) is a fantastic destination. This beautiful estate offers scenic walking trails, a picturesque lake, and a variety of wildlife, making it a great spot for a peaceful day out. The on-site tearoom and craft workshops add to its charm, ensuring an enjoyable visit for all ages.
Local Events and Attractions
Please note: while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, the actual position of the cottage indicated on the map above and the proximity of the amenities in the Local Info section cannot be guaranteed to be precise and should be used as a guide only.
Accommodation
Downstairs
(3 steps up to front door and ramp access to back door)
Sitting/dining room/kitchen with wood-burning stove and HiFi with Bluetooth, electric hob and oven, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, slow cooker, etc
Utility room with freezer and washing machine
Double bedroom (king-size zip link, can convert to twin beds)
WC.
Upstairs
Sitting room with TV (Freeview)
Double bedroom (king-size zip link, can convert to twin beds)
Double bedroom with en suite bathroom with bath, WC and wash basin (also accessed from corridor)
Single bedroom
Single bedroom
Shower room with WC and wash basin.
Outdoor bothy/games room with pool table and sound system.
What's included
- Linen (Double Bed)
- Free
- Linen (Single Bed)
- Free
- Sets of towels (per person)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
Services
Bed linen INCLUDED and towels are INCLUDED. Electricity is INCLUDED. Heating is by oil central heating (INCLUDED) and wood-burning stove (logs INCLUDED). WiFi is INCLUDED. Sorry, pets are not accepted. No smoking. No infants, no children under 5.
Weekly Prices
The weekly guide prices for this property are shown below. Use the availability & book sidebar on the right to select your holiday or calculate short break rates (where available).
From 20/02/2026 to 23/02/2026
From 13/02/2026 to 16/02/2026
From 10/10/2025 to 13/10/2025
From 17/10/2025 to 20/10/2025
From 16/05/2025 to 19/05/2025
From 30/05/2025 to 02/06/2025
From 03/04/2026 to 06/04/2026
From 03/10/2025 to 06/10/2025
From 24/10/2025 to 27/10/2025
From 17/10/2025 to 20/10/2025
From 10/10/2025 to 13/10/2025
From 20/12/2025 to 23/12/2025
From 27/12/0001 to 30/12/9999
From 09/05/2025 to 12/05/2025
From 23/05/2025 to 26/05/2025
From 02/05/2025 to 05/05/2025
Changeover Day: Sat
| Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 4 | Sleeps 8 |
| 03 May 2025 - 23 May 2025 | £1,095.00 | £1,295.00 |
| 24 May 2025 - 30 May 2025 | £1,495.00 | £1,495.00 |
| 31 May 2025 - 27 Jun 2025 | £1,095.00 | £1,295.00 |
| 28 Jun 2025 - 18 Jul 2025 | £1,495.00 | £1,495.00 |
| 19 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025 | £1,695.00 | £1,695.00 |
| 30 Aug 2025 - 12 Sep 2025 | £1,095.00 | £1,295.00 |
| 13 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 | £995.00 | £1,095.00 |
| 04 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 | £1,095.00 | £1,295.00 |
| 25 Oct 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | £850.00 | £950.00 |
| 20 Dec 2025 - 27 Dec 2025 | £1,495.00 | £1,495.00 |
| 28 Dec 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 | £1,495.00 | £1,495.00 |
| 06 Jan 2026 - 05 Jan 2027 | POA | POA |
| 06 Jan 2027 - 05 Jan 2028 | POA | POA |
| 06 Jan 2028 - 05 Jan 2029 | POA | POA |
Please note: Prices are calculated based on your party size at the time of booking and where more than one tariff is shown, the number of bedrooms made available may vary. This allows us to offer larger properties at lower rates for smaller parties. If your party size changes for any reason after booking, please let us know so we can ensure the accommodation provided meets your exact requirements.
Reviews
(Supplied Independently through Feefo)
We had a beautiful week at the cottage. If you like peace and incredible surroundings this cottage is for you! It was so...
Our response:
It's wonderful to hear that you had a beautiful week at the cottage, and we would love to welcome you back in the future...
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Tops. Area, garden, space, views, cleanliness cant be faulted. Owner most accomodating.
Beautiful house in a stunning location, clean and well presented. We all had a lovely time during our stay with nightly...
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The Old Mill was an excellent choice for a family Christmas providing suitable accommodation for our party of eight. A s...
Our response:
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay and hope you choose to return.
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The Old Mill, was an absolutely stunning house in a beautiful location. Instantly felt at home in the property lots of s...
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INDEPENDENT FEEDBACK
