Cultural & Scenic Tour at Paxton House

Enjoy a day at Paxton House, exploring the grounds and gardens, and joining this specialist guided tour of Paxton House highlighting its Caribbean connections, including a visit to Billy Gérard Frank’s Palimpsest exhibition.

Duration This house is available by guided tour only. This tour is a specialist one which explores our Caribbean connections and includes a visit to Palimpsest exhibition by Billy Gérard Frank. This tour will be approx 1.5 hours. The tour starts at 10.15am and we ask that you arrive at the site at least 10 minutes before the tour time to check in at our shop. Here our staff will provide all necessary information.

This ticket also gives all day admission to the grounds and gardens of Paxton House. The grounds and gardens, Stables Tearoom and shop open at 10am and close at 4pm.

About Paxton House is family friendly, fun, and full of treasures including a nationally significant collection of Chippendale and Trotter furniture and masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland. Everyone is welcome and there is something for all ages. Don’t forget to bring the dog along too!

• Learn more about Paxton House and its rich history on a house tour of all the principle rooms, explore 80 acres of grounds, gardens, riverside and woodland, including an adventure play park complete with zip wire and den building area as well as scenic boat trips down the River Tweed. Treat yourself with an indulgent afternoon tea or light lunch in the Stables Tearoom and a trip to our Gift Shop to pick up some lovely gifts for all.

The Grounds

• The extensive grounds of Paxton House can lead to different adventures every time you visit, we have seasonal children's trail running throughout the year
• 80 acres of woodland, riverside scenery and herbaceous borders surround the house including beautiful walks and woodland trails, with great views of The Union Chain Bridge.
• Your dog is welcome as well we just ask that you keep it on a lead

The River

• People have fished from the land where Paxton House stands for centuries and since the house was built the fishing rights have belonged to the estate.
• At Paxton net fishing is now carried out using the traditional wooden coble boat.
• The original Boat House has been carefully restored from Victorian plans and is a charming venue for private hire and weddings.

The House

• Come and enjoy a tour of this exquisite 18th century country house led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides.
• The tour gives visitors an insight into the lives of those who have lived in Paxton House from the date it was built in 1763.
• Enjoy seeing the different rooms, including the dining room, drawing room, library and stunning picture gallery with beautiful decorative schemes designed by Robert Adam.
• Rare and nationally important furniture including Scotland’s largest collection of Thomas Chippendale furniture and an outstanding collection by Scotland’s leading 19th century cabinet maker, William Trotter. - The collection of Chippendale and Trotter furniture, and their associated archives, have been recognised by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
• The impressive Picture Gallery displays over seventy Scottish related paintings dating from the 18th century to 1960 lent by our partner The National Galleries of Scotland including work by Sir David Wilkie, - - William McTaggart, the Scottish colourists and Anne Redpath.
• Paintings by Scottish Masters including Allan Ramsay, Sir Henry Raeburn, Alexander Nasmyth and David Martin can be viewed in the house alongside European works by Francesco Fidanza, Rosalba Carriera, and Antonio del Massaro da Viterbo.
• Our Paxton Ted Trail runs throughout the house, keeping kiddies busy trying to spot bears in each room!