For 2-3 guests in 2 beds, book 4 guests. For 3-5 guests in 2 beds + 1 bunk, book 5. To use both bunks book 6. East Wing is an annexe of Maxwell Place, a Grade B (II) listed mansion dating from 1806, a short level walk to the square, riverside, shops, pubs, take-aways and restaurants, abbey, churches, bus and taxi stances. With own parking and private entrance, a spacious warm and comfortable 1st floor 3-bed annexe with kitchen, living room, boot/bike lobby and bathroom with free standing tub.
The space
For 2 guests in 2 beds, book 3 guests. For 4/5 guests in 2 beds + 1 bunk, book 5. To use both bunks book 6. . All bookings have full use of the space, unused bedrooms are closed but accessible.
Please note that if you need to book for six, there is only one bathroom/WC and Maxwell Place has a maximum allowed 10 guests between East and West wings.
- Private flat with own front door
- Private off-road parking for up to three cars
- one king, one double, one 2X adult bunk beds
- well behaved dogs welcome see pet fee
- large secure entrance lobby for changing and keeping boots and outdoor gear also suitable for 2-3 bicycles
- flexible check-in
- Nespresso machine with provided coffee pods, tea bags, milk in fridge and biscuits ready for your arrival
- travel cot and high chair available
- ample free private parking
- washing machine
- fast free fibre wifi
- own fenced dog safe garden
- close to town centre and supermarkets
- close to the River Tweed and Junction Pool
After many years as the office for my publishing business, and even more years sitting empty, my daughter and her husband lovingly brought East Wing back to life in late 2020. You'll find lots of personal touches, and a commitment to sustainable living.
More about the house
East Wing is a self-contained flat which forms part of my home, Maxwell Place. On land which once belonged to Kelso Abbey, and later forming the gardens where Sir Walter Scott played as a boy, the oldest parts of the house date back to the early 1800s, and this flat is a mixture of Regency and mid-Victorian extensions and changes to the property.
Parking/Entrance
There is ample private parking, both near the front door of the flat and in the main courtyard for the house, including sufficient space for an RV or caravan. You enter the flat through a private courtyard (with seating) and door, into a charming and spacious 'boot room' porch which can accommodate bikes, walking, baby buggies or fishing gear. Up the stairs (5 steps, a small landing, and a further 13 steps), you'll find the flat laid out along a long, bright hallway.
Bedrooms
The flat has three bedrooms.
The master bedroom is a very generous space with a king-sized bed (with memory foam mattress), sofa, full wardrobe, full-length mirror, wireless charging on bedside tables and south-facing views over a quiet private garden which retains some original Victorian features. The window has a blind for those bright summer mornings, as well as working shutters behind the curtains should you prefer a dark room at night.
The second Bedroom faces east and is a cosy and welcoming space with a double bed. This room retains retro features such as the vintage textured wallpaper, and is furnished using reclaimed furniture (from generations of our families) including a 1930s bedroom suite. The room may be vintage but has a new memory foam mattress, a USB charging point and a blackout blind to ensure modern comfort.
The third bedroom has bunk beds, Poang chair, small desk and chair. The entire flat is suitable for working with good fast fibre broadband, a bureau desk in the second bedroom, and a two-seater Chesterfield sofa in the main bedroom.
We also have a travel cot and high chair which can be used for infants if requested (own bedding must be brought for cot).
Kitchen
Blending modern functionality and a quirky cottage vibe, and built using reclaimed items including solid oak worktops for a "not needing new" feel, the full kitchen has everything you may need. Brightly lit with a large American-style fridge freezer (providing filtered, chilled water and ice), an electric oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, and a Nespresso coffee machine (pods provided), this room is a dreamy spot to watch the birds as you brew your morning cuppa.
Bathroom
We've turned the smallest room into a place you want to hang out - it's the jewel in the crown of this flat. A spacious room with a vintage, dual-ended claw foot tub, raised on a platform, to make you feel like royalty. With a traditional shower-over bath, generous basin and storage space, heated towel rail, extra seating for dressing, lit vanity mirror, and a comfortable Victorian style "throne", you may not want to leave!
Living Room
The living room is a cosy, eclectic space, with rich colours balanced out with the original floorboards and a Scandinavian feel. The woodburning stove will keep you extra warm in winter, and the off-season sunsets behind the Abbey will provide a memorable end to many days. With a 40" 4k TV (with Netflix and Amazon Prime of course), the layout is great for movie-watching, but equally we've designed the space to be social, and there's an extendible dining table for game nights. Whether you want to gather round and play one of the board games provided, chill out listening to music or read a book on an armchair as the sun sets, this space can be whatever you want it to be.
Elsewhere
The flat has its own washing machine should you need to keep up with laundry, and we have indoor drying racks or an outdoor line for fine weather.
Much of the art in the property has a connection to our family, and is not for sale, but the photographs of Kelso and the Borders in the stairs and hallway are my own work and are available to buy as a keepsake of your time in Kelso.
As well as a small courtyard with seating by the entrance, the flat has an enclosed private garden beside the property with picnic bench seating.
Note that many of the images of the property have been taken while my daughter is resident, so some things, like the black cat, IT equipment and copious amounts of wine, will not be there when you stay!
Sustainability
In renovating the flat and preparing for your stay, we've tried to keep sustainability and eco-friendly approaches in mind. The renovation used reclaimed and upcycled furniture and fittings, and the products we use are from sustainable and ethical brands and sourced locally where possible. In the kitchen bin you'll find a compartment for recyclable waste. Where possible, lighting is LED, and the house has added insulation to avoid heat-loss. I keep chickens in my garden and grow my own produce, and when the ladies are laying I aim to provide fresh eggs.
Guest access
Guests have exclusive use of East Wing, with private entrance, courtyard and garden. Guests have their own dedicated parking area which will accommodate an RV/motorhome, but can also share my larger courtyard if needed. If you need to charge an electric vehicle the nearest charge point is 100m away.
Other things to note
As we prefer that guests leave outdoor shoes in the porch, you may want to bring your favourite pair of slippers or some cosy socks with you, though we find the house warm enough to be barefoot, especially with the fire lit.
Following comments from guests, I don't advise anyone who may have difficulty with a freestanding bath tub to book. The shower is fed from the traditional tap connection and needs shower curtains to keep water inside the tub and not running on to the floor and through to damage decoration of room below.
