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Country House with large garden, ample parking, sleeping 18 people

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Howford House
View from front of Howford
Hall looking out of main door
Main Hall
Drawing Room - Ground Floor

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
9 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 18

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Innerleithen, SCT
  • Leisure Club and Spa at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Traquair House
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • 7stanes - Glentress
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

9 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Attic Room 1

2 Single Beds

Attic Room 2

2 Single Beds

Four Poster

1 Queen Bed

Ground floor bedroom

1 King Bed

Maids Room 1

1 King Bed

Maids Room 2

1 King Bed

Noble Room

1 King Bed

Tweed Room

1 King Bed

Yellow Room

1 Double Bed

5 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 6

Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Country House with large garden, ample parking, sleeping 18 people

Holiday Rental for Groups of Families and Friends.
Howford House, Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, sleeps 12-18 in 9 bedrooms.

This elegant Georgian country house, Howford House, offers a stylish, comfortable and spacious setting for family holidays and short breaks with large groups of friends.

The house is set above a sloped lawn, surrounded by trees, and with an open view across the Tweed valley and the River Tweed. With a formal appearance from the outside and a relaxed air within, this holiday house was renovated and refurbished in 2016.
On entering by the front door, the house offers a grand hall which presents a mix of antique furniture and modern art, and this eclectic theme carries on throughout the whole house. The two front rooms are the main reception rooms, with an L-shaped drawing room and a classic dining room. To the rear is the country style kitchen and utility room, which can be accessed by a side door, making it more convenient for kitchen access with food shopping.

With ramp access to the side of the house, there is a wheelchair friendly ground floor bedroom, with nearby accessible shower room, with the entire ground floor being accessible too.

The rest of the accommodation is markedly distinct. On the first floor to the front of the house are the 4 main bedrooms; to the rear on the first floor are bedrooms that are classified as the 2 maid’s bedrooms; and on the second floor are the two attic bedrooms, which make a good family suite.

Among the main bedrooms there are three bedrooms with fixed double/king sized beds and the remainder can be either configured as twins or king sized double beds. The attic rooms are ideal for teenagers/children and have 2 single beds in each room. One with TV and their own bathroom.

The kitchen is an old style country kitchen with aga and additional electric cooker. microwave, 2 fridges/freezers and fully equipped for up to 18 guests. There is seating for 8 around the kitchen table.

The Dining Room can seat up to 18 people. The main table seats 12/14 and an additional table can seat 4/6.

The garden has beautiful views down to the River Tweed and there is ample garden furniture a Bar-B-Q and a lawn that can be used for croquet and outside games.

This is a pet friendly holiday house and dogs are allowed access at ground floor level. The private grounds make a great space to relax in, whilst guests are also invited to use the historic grounds and tennis court at Traquair House, a short walk away. Traquair, Scotland's oldest inhabited house, also has facilities for weddings and fine dining which are offered to guests at preferential rates.

The Tweed Valley in the hills of the Scottish Borders offers an excellent range of activities nearby from mountain biking, walking, cycling, fishing (salmon and trout), golf and horse riding.
PLEASE NOTE THE PRICE FOR 2 OR 3 NIGHTS IS THE SAME AND FURTHER DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR 4 NIGHTS OR MORE. PLEASE ENQUIRE BEFORE YOU BOOK.

Property manager

Catherine Maxwell Stuart
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Peebles

Located in Peebles, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Macdonald Cardrona Golf Course and Leisure Club and Spa at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Kailzie Gardens and Great Polish Map of Scotland. Travelling with kids? Consider Dawyck Botanic Garden, or check out an event or a game at Don Coyote Outdoor Centre. Sailing and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and mountain biking nearby.
Map
Innerleithen, SCT

What's nearby

  • Leisure Club and Spa at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Kailzie Gardens - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Traquair House - 5 min drive - 5.0 km
  • 7stanes - Glentress - 5 min drive - 4.0 km
  • 7stanes - Innerleithen - 11 min drive - 3.9 km

Getting around

  • Tweedbank Station - 23 min drive
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Caberston Coffee Shop - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Glentress Peel Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪County Hotel - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Neidpath Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Ramblers - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Country House with large garden, ample parking, sleeping 18 people pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Country House with large garden, ample parking, sleeping 18 people ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Country House with large garden, ample parking, sleeping 18 people ?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Country House with large garden, ample parking, sleeping 18 people located?

This family-friendly Peebles holiday home is located on a river, within 1 mi (2 km) of Macdonald Cardrona Golf Course and Leisure Club and Spa at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel. Kailzie Gardens and 7stanes - Glentress are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent family Christmas
Excellent family Christmas stay, well equipped house. Good facilities at Traquair house for walking and exploring the grounds.Beds comfortable, showers good.House was cold on arrival, and cooking facilities could be upgraded.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenny W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and unique house
We were a large group of friends and family. Howford House provided everything we needed and the location is beautiful.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family weekend
Great house to have a large family get together
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Jeanne F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular Location
While the building would benefit from some minor improvements for safety, convenience, and updating, the character and grace of the property could not be more perfect. The beds were comfortable, the house was warm, and the visit to the local woodlands was inspiring.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanna M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing!
We had a great weekend here!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful weekend
A group of friends and family gathered at howford house for a weekend to celebrate a special birthday. The property is unbelievable large and so beautiful (even more so that the photos)! Communication with both Catherine and Elaine the house keeper was excellent and we felt very well taken care of. I know we’re all looking for a reason to visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sally Ann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Staying at Howford House
We had a great stay. Would say that dining room and sitting room small for 16 adults. Great for families. A second electric kettle would have been good!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family get together
Great property for the extended family, comfortable well equipped and plenty of space. One of party is a wheelchair user and the accessible bedroom and bathroom were ideal.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jasmine L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding/vow renewal ceremony
The house was amazing- it was a little difficult to find at first due to some navigation system issues but it was in a spectacular location and the house was incredible. All the rooms were truly one of a kind, and being in the middle of Glasgow and Edinburgh made it easy to get wherever we needed to go. We don't usually travel in a large group, but this house made it so easy and comfortable.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gordon H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Brilliant Family Holiday
A brilliant time was had by all, 10 adults, 6 children and a babe in arms. It was a great family holiday, brilliant location for walking and wildlife. Enough space to be separate, but lovely areas/rooms to meet and be together. From the oldest to the youngest a great holiday and we hope to do it again in the not too distant future
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Juliette B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing house
The house was great, with fantastic facilities. Kids and grown ups all enjoyed our stay. Housekeeper was brilliant pre arrival and made sure rooms were set up to suit the families needs. Thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L., Vancouver, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful family vacation
Our group of 15 enjoyed our week here. It was spacious and very comfortable. We had a great time cooking in the large kitchen and on the AGA. We especially appreciated our visits to the Traquair house and estate. If you stay at Howford House, don’t miss it. We would be happy to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marion d., Edinburgh, Scotland

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay in a lovely country house
We had a lovely long weekend at Howford House. It’s very spacious and comfortable, with a very well-equipped kitchen. Its location is ideal for walks and also for shopping in all the interesting independent shops in Peebles. The house was also surprisingly warm in a cold January. I hope we’ll return to Howford House.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible Stay & backdrop for intimate ceremony
We absolutely loved hosting our family and friends who came out to Scotland for our intimate wedding ceremony. This was the perfect location to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Ample space for each person to have any privacy they desired but also to spend quality time together around a table laughing or a fire playing a game. There is also a secret garden that we fell in love with. It’s so quiet and warm at Howford House and we were thrilled with our stay! Would highly recommend any larger gathering here! It’s epic.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pablo d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful house to celebrate a big family birthday
An amazing property in beautiful grounds and a stunning location just outside Innerleithen. Perfect for a family gathering to celebrate a big birthday. Fantastic communication from host and housekeeper meant everything went smoothly and no surprises. 10/10. Kitchen is well stocked with all the pots/pans, utensils, and crockery you need to feed a hungry group, and the aga is a dream. Beds are comfortable and plentiful; bathrooms are a little dated but plenty of hot water and big towels. Overall a fantastic weekend, and would definitely book again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Morag W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Howford House
Wonderful house and location. Heating concerns during stay and extra charge for logs at £15 per bag was a surprise. Otherwise we had a great time
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christopher D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Room For 18
Howford House is perfect for a large group. We were a group of 19 at the largest and fit comfortably. The house is well-stocked in the kitchen and Elaine was very accommodating as we needed additional supplies. The hot water heater must be huge. The Aga in the kitchen is a bonus.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pascale A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A substantial property that just feels like home
From the moment that I made the initial booking, we felt as if we were being treated as valued guests and not just another commercial booking. Howford House may be a large house with nine bedrooms but still manages to feel homely. With its close proximity to Traquair House, there are many activities locally and if you need any contacts (i.e. for fly-fishing) we were able to access fishing passes through Lady Catherine which might otherwise have been difficult to arrange. The place is kept spotless by Elaine and has the best resourced kitchen I have seen in a rental property. It is all in all a brilliant venue for a party. We had a wonderful stay and would recommend this property to anyone with no hesitation.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous Property
We had an amazing time at Howford House, we really felt like Lords and Ladies of the manor in this stunning period property. The owner and housekeeper were both really lovely and very helpful. Fantastic value for money, would definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
80th birthday celebration
We had an amazing weekend, the house was very warm and comfortable. The art work and furniture provided lots of charm. The house is very spacious and was much better than we could have hoped for, we are already planning a return. Particularly loved the log fire in the lounge.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bailey P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Perfect Memory
A fantastic weekend. Owner and housekeeper were so helpful and nothing was too much trouble. A fabulous birthday celebration that has now inspired us to make it an annual thing!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful house
We had a wonderful weekend in this comfortable welcoming house. Plenty of space to spread out , or to gather together in front of you the fire. The house was beautifully decorated the weekend before Christmas and was an ideal place for a family gathering . We would love to come again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a place, glorious!
We had a quick family weekend window to get together within covid restrictions, and this place was perfect. Plenty of space, the kids and cousins had an absolutely blast playing hide and seek in and around the property. there was plenty of space for everyone , and it was just a lovely comfortable place to be. Special notes for bed linen which was extremely nice. In between Inners and Peebles meant it was a great base for biking and messing about in rivers. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great family stay
Amazing property to stay with great character! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and had great fun, I highly recommend this beautiful house to any big party.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

cperritt

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A great week in the Scottish Borders
Great house in a fantastic location if you like mountain biking, cycling, golf or just some beautiful walks. We loved Howford House & it’s history. Hope to return one day!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

About the host

Hosted by Catherine Maxwell Stuart

Host profile image
Howford House is on the Traquair Estate and was originally built for the factor or estate manager. I live in Traquair House and my family have been here for over 500 years and Traquair is Scotland's Oldest Inhabited House. We have three children and we run the main house as a visitor attraction and with some limited accommodation. In 2015 a long standing tenant vacated Howford House and we decided to renovate the property for self catering. We have kept a relaxed informal country house style with many items of furniture and paintings being lent from the main house. We have an eclectic mix of art both contemporary and traditional. Mattresses and bedding are all new and excellent quality and the bathrooms have been renovated as well. The estate comprises around 4.500 acres and includes four farms which mainly farm sheep and cattle which you will see around the house. There is also a large number of forests and the River Tweed which offers fly fishing during the winter and Spring months as well as trout fishing in the summer.

Why they chose this property

Howford is a perfect retreat for family and friends. It has a country house elegance that I love with a relaxed feel which we have tried to keep as much as possible. Lots of space and the rooms are all generously proportioned with wonderful views. There are wonderful stone flagged floors that have been retained and makes this a robust house you can enjoy without worrying about bringing in a bit of mud now and again!
It is also very accessible from Edinburgh with good facilites in local towns nearby. Perfect in the winter for cosying up around the open log fire and going for long walks or relaxing in summer with the beautiful garden and space to enjoy the outdoors.

What makes this property unique

Gorgeous views, spacious, relaxed, well appointed house that is perfect for large groups of friends or family. It has the additional features of a fully accessible bedroom on the ground floor that was previously converted for a wheel chair user with accessible shower/wet room. Also, the attic rooms are just great for teenagers or kids as they have a self contained mini flat with their own bathroom and TV!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests