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St Agnes

(Ref. 959808)

Cranshaws near Duns, Scottish Borders Show on map

4.6

Sykes rating

  • 5 Guests

  • 3 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • house (24)
  • no (20)
  • stay (20)
  • our (19)
  • garden (18)
  • lovely (16)

38 Customer Reviews

  • "Another amazing stay."

    . Peace and quiet, excellent safe garden for our dogs. Lovely walks and beaches not too far away. Perfect home from home stay.

    Thankyou Christine! Come again soon! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Christine5.0Oct 2024

  • "Loved the property elegant and well equipped"

    Reviewed by Eugene3.8Aug 2024

  • "Very nice old house in an amazing setting."

    Loved our stay there regardless of the weather

    Reviewed by Robert4.4Jul 2024

  • "Our second stay at St Agnes and not disappointed."

    So dog friendly and cosy. Loads of lovely walks, 25 minutes to a great dog friendly beach. Booked up for our 3rd stay already. The owner Helen so friendly can’t fault Helen or the house if a quiet retreat is what you are after…. See you in October

    Reviewed by Christine5.0May 2024

  • "Beautiful area fabulous house with everything you could ever need"

    Reviewed by Ann5.0May 2024

  • "Great place to stay."

    Lots of equipment. Lovely views out of every window. Lots of books to peruse. Nearby I saw a short-eared owl. Warm and plenty of space. Easy to find and short drive to house from road. Very quiet.

    Reviewed by David4.4Apr 2024

  • "The house was so lovely and the location was amazing!"

    I can’t recommend this place enough it is so beautiful and tranquil it was just what was needed to recharge the batteries!

    Reviewed by Steve5.0Apr 2024

  • "Gardens were big & enclosed and an excellent asset, especially if you have dogs."

    There was also a field next to the garden which belonged to the property. Perfect for walking the dogs. Lovely, spacious, period property with lots of original features. Very comfortable bed. Slept very well indeed. Loved the seclusion and the bird life. The only sounds were the streams & the curlews - fabulous. Would have preferred blinds/curtains in all the windows (upstairs toilet & kitchen didn’t have any). Couldn’t find any board games.

    Reviewed by Sandra5.0Mar 2024

  • "A third comfortable and enjoyable stay at St Agnes."

    The house is large and the sitting room is comfortably warm with the door closed and the fire on (don’t forget to bring some wood/coal and a means to start the fire!) despite -5c outside. Communication with the owner is excellent and appropriate arrangements had been made to mitigate the issue of not being able to drink the tap water without boiling first. If peace, tranquility and beautiful landscapes are what you are after, this is the place. Thanks again, and we’ll see you next time!

    Reviewed by Michael5.0Nov 2023

  • "We had a great week at St Agnes."

    The house is huge, surrounded by beautiful views. Our dog loved the enclosed garden, with plenty of pheasants to keep her bounding around. The kitchen is well equipped, and seemed very clean to us. There is a Nespresso machine in the kitchen - I didn't know this until we arrived. The piano was a great hit with all of us (even if it is, understandably, a bit out of tune!). Thanks to You Tube, we were all maestros by the end of the week! There are plenty of walks from the door, or a short drive away. There is lots of information in the folder. Following a negative review about the heating, I contacted Sykes Cottages for some reassurance. Twice I was told that someone would call me back, I still haven't received a call. I ended up speaking to the owner who couldn't have been more reassuring and helpful. St Agnes is a warm house, the heating warms it up quickly when returning from a day of walking. When the heating is on, there is a smell of oil but, hopefully, the owner will be getting the engineer out soon to fix the issue. It is also worth pointing out that the owner doesn't provide coal/wood for the fire - I was told by Sykes Cottages that all fuel was provided, and their website would also lead you to believe this is the case. All in all we enjoyed our stay.

    Reviewed by Rachel4.1Oct 2023

  • "The property is an imposing site but it is extremely cold inside, the heating is oil fired and the smell is horrendous especially up the stairs."

    We had to supply our own coal,wood just to keep the living room warm the bedrooms were icy cold. We left on the Tuesday as our 94 year old father had caught a chill and we did not want it to get any worse. The house may be warmer in the summer. Some of the kitchen items could do with either renewing or a good clean. ( the Kettle )

    I was very sorry to read this feedback. I knew that these guests left the house before the week was up because of concerns for their elderly and recently widowed father. I do not provide fuel for the fire as the central heating usually heats the house adequately. Guests are at liberty to provide their own. I do ask that my guests are careful not to have the heating on if it is not necessary but am very happy for them to use it as much as they want to heat the house for their own comfort. It is normally quite adequate in the fairly mild sort of weather we have had lately. I have asked my housekeeper to descale the kettle. We will be in the house ourselves in 2 weeks time and I will check on the smell from the boiler and call in the central heating engineer if necessary. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Philip1.9Oct 2023

  • "St Agnes was a wonderful place to stay."

    It was comfortable and had a relaxing atmosphere. Sitting in a beautiful setting it had something for all. The older members of our family who have difficulty walking could take beautiful short walks from the front door, whilst others could venture as far and wide and they wished. We'll be back (again).

    Thankyou for your feedback! We hope to see you again one day soon! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Ian5.0Oct 2023

  • "The house had incredible views, the garden was perfect for our dog as it was completely secure."

    The property itself was spacious and comfortable. It certainly makes a change to stay somewhere with comfortable beds and a powerful shower. We would love to stay again.

    Thankyou Julia! We were so pleased you enjoyed your stay! Do come again! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Julia4.1Sep 2023

  • "We had a wonderful stay at St Agnes and would absolutely love to return."

    It was so peaceful with only the sound of sheep bhaaaing. Our children loved being able to run around and not worry about neighbours. We had everthing we needed. The only thing that was a little uncomfortable was the heating which was on a timer came on for very long periods of time which was unessasary at this time of year. Other than that it was all perfect.

    Horrified to hear that the heating was coming on. I had turned the heating off and left the hot water to come on twice a day when I was there a few weeks earlier. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lorelle4.1Jul 2023

  • "A beautiful old house full of character in a fabulous location, equipped with everything one could need."

    Helen was very honest and did her very best to minimise the works being carried out by Scottish Power and a fault with the dishwasher (which was fixed before we arrived) The works did not adversely impact on our stay. We would love to return for the peace and tranquillity. Thankyou.

    Reviewed by Antony4.7Jun 2023

  • "Beautiful house in a beautiful setting."

    Very well equipped and lovely garden.

    Reviewed by Christina5.0May 2023

  • "Generally a lovely cottage and the owners were fantastic when we had an issue with the key."

    Some of the kitchen items are a bit dated but that does not distract from the overall lovely stay.

    Reviewed by Andrew4.4Apr 2023

  • "If you like peace and quiet this is definitely the place to go beautiful scenery all around and a lovely cosy house to relax in ,as well as a good secure garden if you have a dog."

    It is also within easy reach of places to visit, North Berwick, Dunbar and St Abbs are well worth having a trip to.The owner of the property is extremely helpful, hoping to return in the future many thanks

    Reviewed by Colin5.0Mar 2023

  • "If its peace and quiet your looking for the this property deserves 6 stars."

    The only very small problem was 2 lights in the main lounge did not work and there were no bulbs of the correct type in the draw.

    Thankyou - many apologies for lack of lightbulbs. We will check the lights before guests arrive in future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by John4.7Jan 2023

  • "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the cottage, loved the area and the house!"

    The oil started to run out while we were there but this was resolved as quickly as possible. We felt very comfortable here, my only negative would be that the bed is a bit creaky and woke me up during the night but thats more of a preference thing! We'll definitely be staying again!

    Thankyou Rebecca for your lovely comments. We will really look forward to seeing you again with lots of oil in the tank and the creaky bed sorted out! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Rebecca5.0Jan 2023

  • "Well what a fantastic property."

    The location is breath taking with rolling hills and woodland all around. Perfect for my children and dogs. The house was spotless with a traditional farmhouse feel. The hearing works superb and the water pressure is unreal. If you stay you will certainly not be disappointed

    Reviewed by James5.0Dec 2022

  • "Another warm and comfortable week at St Agnes with peace and tranquility in abundance."

    The fully enclosed garden is such a blessing for those with 4 legged friends, especially with dark mornings and dark nights, you can just let your dog out into the darkness and know they are safe and secure. The situation is especially magical in the snow, make sure to bring some fuel for the fire to make the sitting room extra toasty! Communication from the owner is excellent, see you again in November 2023!

    Thankyou for this kind feed back, Michael! We will look forward to seeing you again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Michael5.0Dec 2022

  • "Superb property and surroundings."

    Reviewed by Mark5.0Oct 2022

  • "Thank you ,we absolutely loved our stay at St Agnes."

    The property is so dog friendly which was our main priority,such a huge garden to explore and fantastic views. We had a great time walking all day and adventuring up lots of tiny roads and met no one. Loved the piano,but only chopsticks played,thank you to everyone involved on making our stay a wonderful one x

    Thankyou for your lovely comments. We are so lucky with so many of our guests and are just delighted that people enjoy the place we love so much! Come again! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Caroline5.0Oct 2022

  • "Had a fantastic week at St Agnes, our 2 dogs loved the garden, very safe for them to run around in."

    My daughter had an amazing time playing on a real piano. Had everything we could have asked for, we would definitely come again.

    Reviewed by Alison4.1Aug 2022

  • "Fabulous house, well equipped and fantastic location"

    Reviewed by Rebecca5.0Aug 2022

  • "Fabulous property, really enjoyed our stay."

    Really like a home away from home, all the kitchen utensils you need, nice comfortable living room and a little snug room where we set up kids colouring and reading. Lovely big kitchen table for family dinners. Bedrooms were perfect, 2 good sized double rooms and a big room with a single bed with a lid room and two bunkbeds. The beds were all super comfy. Fully enclosed garden which streches all around the house, lovely views. Lucky to watch all the nesting housemartins fledge.

    Reviewed by Tina5.0Jul 2022

  • "Lovely cottage in an area of outstanding beauty."

    We have travelled around this area now for the last twenty years staying in many cottages and this is without doubt the best. The only thing stopping us returning is, as stated earlier, is the fact the area is now fully explored and we will be heading to other areas which we have not yet explored. We were blessed with two weeks of sun and to any future residents sit out at night and listen to the noise of nature and look for the barn owls flying about and look up and look at the stars. The simple things in life are what we like at our time of life and you certainly achieve this at St Agnes. Many thanks Chris and Nicola Jackson and Harvey the Jack Russell

    Reviewed by Chris3.4Jul 2022

  • "Pro’s - “doggy heaven” - a massive garden, totally safe - even for a little terrier!"

    - property very isolated, lovely and quiet with good, local walks. - nice and warm. Con’s - the whole house needed a good “spring clean” . The carpets were all covered in dog hair; the cutlery was filthy; there was a thick layer of dust on most surfaces. - there were no logs for the fire - seemingly a long standing issue! - no decent outdoor furniture.

    I have been very concerned and very sorry to read this report of the house not being cleaned properly. I have contacted my housekeeper regarding the points raised. We do not supply firewood, we take on your point on the outdoor furniture this is something that will come in time. Thank you again for your feedback Property Owner

    Reviewed by John2.5May 2022

  • "St Agnes is a lovely big house in the beautiful Scottish Borders."

    It is both very well equipped and comfortable and has a large enclosed garden which is just perfect for dog owners. Will definitely book again.

    Reviewed by Anne5.0Apr 2022

  • "As you opened the door a welcoming warmth, leading into a much bigger house than expected ."

    The very happy 4paws had already discovered the freedom of the very secure garden.So many places to visit,local produce to enjoy. Read the welcome information as soon as possible!Thouroghly enjoyed our stay ,would highly recommend .Excellent thankyou.

    Reviewed by Scott5.0Mar 2022

  • "A spacious and comfortable house plonked in the middle of nowhere with beautiful countryside all around."

    You can tell this is a much loved family holiday home. We arrived to no electricity after storm Malik downed power poles in the valley and were without for over 24 hours. The Owners communication is excellent and their concern for our safety and comfort whilst we were without electricity was appreciated, as were here offers of putting us in touch with friends further down the valley to help us out. However we treated the experience as part of the overall adventure with bacon and eggs cooked over the fire and a camp out on the settees that night in front of the fire to stay warm (no electricity also means no heating and limited running water). The previous mouse issue appears to now be resolved as I found no evidence of them in the house. Overall a very comfortable and relaxing week, highly recommended.

    Reviewed by Michael5.0Jan 2022

  • "Had a lovely stay here."

    Nice a peaceful beautiful surroundings, lovely walks. Would stay here again.

    Reviewed by Rod4.7Jan 2022

  • "Lovely location, and the garden is secure and big."

    The house is lovely but there were mice in the house.There was evidence of this as we found mouse droppings on the kitchen worktops, the bathroom floors and the chairs in the back room. You could even hear them in the walls in the back double bedroom and the front bedroom. We did have a problem with the boiler but Helen managed to get this sorted quickly. Helens communication is great and we would look at staying again if the mice were dealt with.

    Reviewed by Nathan4.1Jan 2022

  • "We have just enjoyed a fantastic week walking and relaxing in this fit for purpose and well equipped cottage."

    Our primary focus when booking, was for a dog friendly and safe garden which this property absolutely has and the local walks virtually straight from the house are amazing.

    Reviewed by Heidi4.7Nov 2021

  • "Lovely house in beautiful settings, warm and cosy on a November night."

    Miles from anywhere but that’s what we wanted. Well equipped kitchen and good wifi, Smart TV meant we could access movies etc by signing into our accounts. Secure garden and adjacent field for our dogs. Peaceful place to recharge batteries. We stayed in November to get dogs away from city fireworks and the loudest thing we heard was pheasants clattering about. Highly recommended.

    Reviewed by Elizabeth5.0Oct 2021

  • "The farm house is situated in a lovely peaceful location, there are many special upland breeding birds in the air around you, Curlew, Oyster catchers etc."

    The interior is very spacious and would easily accommodate more guests, facilities are very good within and a view to die for can be had from every window. The garden is large perfect for children and dogs to run around and play safely for hours. Very important point for dog owners looking for accommodation, many claim secure gardens and are not, rest assured this is well thought out and dog secure. We had a wonderful week in and around the area, swimming in Bothwell plunge pool, walking in picturesque scenery and drinking in nature, accompanied with startling sunny weather. Thanks to the owners for letting us stay in their house.

    Reviewed by Mark4.7Jul 2021

  • "We had such a wonderful stay."

    The cottage was very beautiful in this picturesque, rural retreat. There was beautiful wildlife around and we really didn't want to leave. It felt very comfortable, home from home. Our favourite beach was Coldingham Bay and there were local walks too. Four of us stayed with a dog, the garden was very secure. We all loved our holiday and are definitely looking forward to returning.

    Reviewed by Antonia5.0May 2021

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Summary

  • Three bedrooms: 2 x double, 1 x children's room with child's bunks and a single bed
  • Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Cloakroom with basin and WC
  • First-floor cloakroom with basin and WC
  • Kitchen/diner
  • Lounge
  • Study
  • Oil-fired central heating (Fuel and power inc. in rent) and open fire (Wood or Coal not included)
  • Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, TV, WiFi and a selection of books and games
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Ample off-road parking
  • Enclosed garden with lawned area
  • Two well-behaved pets welcome (dog bed, bowl and leash available)
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop and pub within 10.9 miles
  • Note: This property can sleep a maximum of five guests
  • Note: Guests do not have access to the second floor
  • Note: Please always remember to shut the gates and keep dogs under control as there are often sheep and cattle roaming
  • Please note dogs are not allowed upstairs at this property

The property

Duns 11 miles.

A beautifully presented holiday home resting in a remote position in rural Scotland, St Agnes offers families a welcoming base from which to explore this wonderful area.

Hosting a traditional interior amidst all you could need for a self-catered stay, this Cranshaws house is a true delight at any time of the year.

Venture through the front door to find the sitting room to your left, emanating the traditional character of the property with its rustic open fire and quaint decor, it makes a lovely spot to spend quality time with your loved ones when you're not out exploring.

The kitchen/diner also makes for a wonderful social space, where the whole group can gather around the table for an evening of board games, the surrounding kitchen units host all the essential utensils and appliances, as well as a dishwasher and washing machine!

Make your way into the study where you can delve into a good book for a quiet moment to yourself, with the countryside views outside providing a beautiful backdrop, or get together outside on the lawn for a picnic on the grass, with plenty of space for your canine companions to stretch their legs.

Up on the first floor, passing the original Georgian window, you will find the three wonderful bedrooms, made up of two doubles and a child's room with both bunk beds and a single bed, this property offers a flexible sleeping arrangement for a variety of group needs, as well as a family bathroom on this floor where you can prepare for your day amidst bright and airy settings.

Follow the farm road from the rear of the house for a good distance through a lovely valley, to walk along the River Bothwell where you can swim in a deep river pool; or you can follow the farm roads for a round walk of about 7 miles to and from the house, with the Southern Upland Way also easily accessible about 5 miles down the road towards Duns, and a new Cranshaw Community walk which follows the Whiteadder for part of the way.

Explore the natural beauty of the area by foot, the nearby flowing river making the perfect place for a leisurely stroll or a picnic, leading all the way to the Whiteadder Reservoir, the Priestlaw Hill circular walk from here being a firm favourite taking you past the beauty of the Lammermuirs Hills, a lovely way to begin your days of adventure.

For all of your local amenities, spend a day in the nearby border town of Duns, home to a wide range of shops to explore, pubs, restaurants, a delicatessen and an award-winning butchers, it caters to all your cuisine needs, as well as being home to the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in honour of the famous racing driver, Duns Castle Estate with its imposing 14th Century castle 1,900 acres of land to explore, as well as wonderful golfing opportunities.

Spend a day across the border in the charming town of Berwick-upon-Tweed to find a whole host of attractions perfect for the whole family, its Elizabethan walls being the perfect way to begin your exploration of the historic town, with Berwick Castle, Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard and the Town Hall with its old courtroom, jail lockups and ‘drunks’ cells' all being well-worth exploring too!

Enjoy a family day at the dog-friendly beach of Coldingham, with opportunities for surfing here too, or visit the bustling city of Edinburgh for an experience like no other.

In an idyllic location in easy reach of the many wonders of Scotland and beyond, St Agnes is a truly exceptional holiday base.

EPC Rating: Band F

EPC Rating: Band F

Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: SB-01125-F

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About the location

DUNS

Berwick-upon-Tweed 15 miles.

The small border town of Duns is set in a wide valley known as The Merse and was once the capital of the Scottish Borders, when the current capital, Berwick-upon-Tweed, was under English rule. The town offers a good range of shops, including an award-winning butchers and quality delicatessen, pubs and restaurants, whilst the Jim Clark Museum is open to the public in honour of the famous racing driver who lived in the area. Duns Castle sits within a nature reserve with well-marked woodland lakeside walks through the castle estate. There are many castles and historic houses scattered throughout the surrounding area, including Manderston House (home of Lord Palmer), Floors Castle and Gardens, the largest inhabited house in Scotland, Norham Castle situated on the River Tweed, Mellerstain House and Paxton House and Country Park. A short drive to the east coast offers the opportunity to explore the dog friendly beaches at Coldingham or for the more adventurous why not learn to surf at the local surf school. Widely acclaimed golfing is available at Duns and nearby Dunbar whilst fishing for trout and salmon on the Tweed and Whiteadder River is also available with permits available locally. The nearby walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is well worth a visit with weekly markets, town trails and a cinema. A short hop to Eyemouth to feed the resident harbour seals, enjoy award-winning fish and chips or take a boat trip for some coastal exploration. The sights and excitement of Edinburgh are just 45 miles away and numerous other destinations are within a short driving distance of this fantastic location providing a great base at any time of the year for exploring the beautiful Scottish Border region and the picturesque, exhilarating North Northumberland regions.

Please note dogs are not allowed upstairs at this property

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas