Ednam House Hotel, Roxburghshire (Borders)

Ednam House is a Georgian Mansion set on the bank of the River Tweed in Kelso, Scottish Borders.

Summary

18th century buildings
Breakfast included
Free car parking (on site)
No smoking

Facilities

Free broadband access
Shared gardens

Food and Drinks

Restaurant
Tea room
English breakfast (included)
Lunch available (at additional cost)
Dinner available (at additional cost)
Bar

Nearby recreations

Recommended walks
Pub (walking distance)
Museums (walking distance)
Historic houses
Gardens
Golf course (walking distance)
Tennis courts (walking distance)

Introduction

Scottish Hotel Of The Year 2010 Hotel Of Charm. Enjoying an idyllic location on the banks of the River Tweed, Ednam House is a fine example of Georgian Architecture with many original features to be admired. Set in 3 acres of garden, the hotel offers highly comfortable accommodation and delicious food, in this unassuming historic setting. The atmsophere is very friendly and welcoming and the Brooks family and their team are always at hand to ensure guests have a most relaxing time.

History to the present day

James Dickson was a "Kelso" lad, who through mischief in his youth broke the water well in the middle of the town - Wanting to escape the authorities he ran off to London, where he decided to make his fortune and promised himself that one day he would come back to Kelso and build the most beautiful house in town....which he did. An entrepreneur, James Dickson dealt in the trading and import of goods in England, mainly spices. This trade made him a very rich man and having made his fortune, decided to come back to his hometown. Now a respectable gentleman, James Dickson needed to find housing to match his stature and so decided to build Ednam House, then named Havanah House. So in 1761 the house was erected and no expense was spared. The location by the river was bought as well as land in the town to provide the vegetable garden. The architect was James Nisbet who amongst other prestigious buildings, had supervised the erection of the Paxton House near Duns. The then expert Joseph Rose executed the splendid Italian plaster ceilings, still intact today. Fine craftsmen were also contracted to produce the various intricate carved doors, marble fireplaces and stone work.

After the death of James Dickson, Havanah House had various owners until 1928 when Ralph Brooks bought the house, renamed it Ednam House and turned it into a hotel. Today Anne & Ralph are the fourth generation of the Brooks family to run the hotel. Although the original building has been extended and updated through the years, many of the splendid original features still remain for all to see.

Food and Drinks

Full Scottish Breakfast is served from 7.20am to 10.00am in the Dining Room. Chef/Proprietor Ralph Brooks and his team offer you a daily changing menu of traditional and modern cuisine producing simple, unfussy food that is full of flavour and showcases the best local and seasonal produce. The team seek to produce almost all the food in-house from baking fresh bread, making jams, marmalade and ice creams ... to curing their own bacon and ham and even raising their own pigs for that purpose. In addition to the freshly prepared menu, there is a well balanced and interesting wine list. And keeping it in the family, a good proportion of the French wines come directly from Anne's family who are award winning winemakers with many vineyards throughout France. Dinner served in the dining room, orders taken from 7.00pm till 9.00 pm.

Grounds and gardens

Miles the gardener maintains the beautiful three acres of riverside gardens. You can wander and see all the little flowery corner, alternatively on a lovely summers' evening just sip a lovely glass of wine watching the river go by...