Coldstream
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Coldstream
Introduction | Travelling| Peebles | Biggar | Tweed Valley | Melrose | Selkirk | Jedburgh | Hawick | Kelso | Coldstream | Duns | Eyemouth | St Abbs Head | Berwick upon Tweed
===Introduction to Coldstream=== Phone code: +44 (0)1890
Standing on the north bank of the River Tweed, which marks the border with England, is the little town of Coldstream. The busy A697 linking Newcastle-upon-Tyne with Edinburgh runs through the centre of town, but Coldstream has little to offer visitors other than history.
Ins and outs
There are several buses daily (Mon-Sat) between Kelso and Berwick-upon-Tweed, Tel 0870-6082608.The well-stocked Tourist Information Centreis in the Town Hall on the High St, Tel 882607. Apr, May Jun Mon, Thu, Sat 1300-1700, Tue, Wed, Fri 1000-1400; Jul, Aug Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1600, Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1600; Oct Mon 1030-1700, Tue, Wed, Fri 1030-1500, Thu 1200-1630, Sat 1100-1600; winter hours vary.
Sights
The town gave its name to the famous regiment of Coldstream Guards, formed by General Monck in 1659 before he marched south to support the restoration of the Stuart monarchy a year later. The regiment had originally been sent to Scotland as part of Cromwell's New Model Army, but Monck was persuaded to change allegiance. No doubt the offer of the title, first Duke of Albermarle, had something to do with his decision. The Guards remain the oldest regiment in continuous existence in the British army and you can find out all about their proud history in the Coldstream Museum, on Market Square, off the High Street. Info: Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1400-1600; Oct Mon-Sat 1300-1600. Free. Tel 882630. Near the handsome five-arched bridge which spans the river at the east end of town is the 18th-century Toll House, where eloping couples from England were once granted 'irregular marriages'. On the western edge of town is the 3,000-acre Hirsel Country Park, seat of the Earls of Home. Hirsel House isn't open to the hoi polloi, but you can wander around the grounds. Info: Open all year during daylight hours. Four miles southeast of Coldstream, across the border near the village of Branxton, is Flodden Field. In 1513 James IV crossed the Tweed at Coldstream to attack the English, while Henry VIII was busy fighting in France. The invasion was a diversion to assist the French, but Henry sent an army north to meet the threat and James IV's army was routed. The king, his son and some 9,000 men were slain in one of Scotland's greatest military disasters.
Sleeping and eating
Sleeping and eating. There are a few places outside town including E Fernyrig Farm, Birgham, Tel 830251, and E Old School House, Birgham, Tel 830612. In town is E Garth House, 7 Market St, Tel 882477; and E Attadale, 1 Leet St, T883047. The Coldstream Caravan & Camping Park is at the southern edge of town, Tel 882333. Just over the border in England is The Old Mill, Wark Rd, Cornhill on Tweed, Tel 883524.
Self Catering Cottages in Coldstream
- The Coach House Sleeps 6
- The Hayloft Sleeps 2 - 4
- The Stables Sleeps 3 - 6