A charming cottage set on the banks of the River Whiteadder near Berwick-upon-Tweed

West Mill Cottage is one of two cottages located on the banks of a large meander in the River Whiteadder just outside the village of Paxton. The river, which burbles just outside the cottage windows, is teeming with brown trout – catch them yourself or watch the local otter hunt for them. (The owners can help secure a local fishing permit). Chances are you’ll also spot deer grazing outside or catch sight of a kingfisher flashing along the riverbank. The ever-changing scenery doesn’t even stop when night falls – West Mill Cottage lies below some of the country’s most pristine dark skies, enabling memorable stargazing.

Set at the end of a no-through road three miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed, England’s northernmost town, and just east of the river from Paxton, a small Saxon village set in Scotland, West Mill Cottage is a true Borders home. From the cottage, a scenic footpath leads to a narrow footbridge that crosses the River Whiteadder and takes you to The Cross Inn at Paxton, less than half a mile from West Mill. The attractive Paxton House Gardens and Café is also an easy walk from the cottage while the castles, beaches, Elizabethan walls, restaurants and bars of Berwick-upon-Tweed are just a ten-minute drive away. Further afield, the Northumberland Coast is well known for its castles and deserted beaches, with attractions such as Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle within easy striking distance.

The cottage itself has been completely renovated with contemporary styling, making it a fantastic family home. The modern, light-filled kitchen is set in a rear extension, complete with a large picture window and glass door leading to the secluded and enclosed rear garden overlooking the River Whiteadder. The kitchen leads to one side to a sizeable utility room, which includes a large walk-in shower, and to the other into a spacious dining room, which is warmed by a wood-burner and features a comfy sofa for pre- and post-dinner drinks and chats. Further postprandial lounging can be enjoyed in the sitting room, whose wood-panelled walls are daubed in rich blue-black paint to create a veritable cocoon once the wood burner is roaring and soft lamps glowing.

West Mill Cottage boasts three bedrooms: the most spacious of the trio features a king-sized bed while a second double room features a super king bed that can be configured as twin beds. The last makes a lovely children’s room with a double bunk bed. In addition to the downstairs utility/bathroom, there’s a family bathroom with a bath and shower over on this floor. The views from West Mill Cottage never fail to delight: each window offers its own vantage point from which nature at its best can be observed.