Pictures of Coldstream

About Coldstream

This is a small town where centuries ago warring Scottish and English armies forded the River Tweed. The town, with its lovely multi-arched bridge spanning the river forms a natural break in the landscapes between the two countries.

The town is best known as the birthplace of the Coldstream Guards, and their history is depicted in the local museum which also charts the history of Coldstream from 1750. General Monk raised the Coldstream Guards for Cromwell's Army in 1650, this is commemorated by a plaque close to the market place.

Coldstream, amidst the cool green pastures of the Scottish Borderlands is a lovely riverside tourist destination, it is rich in blood curdling history, and the Tweed, its river offers some of the finest salmon and trout fishing in the region. In the gentle, surrounding hills graze the sheep from whose wool is made the tweed for which many Border towns are famous throughout the world.

The town offers plenty to see, it also hosts annual events. Chief of these is Coldstream Civic Week in August when a procession from the town visits Flodden, 3 miles east of the border in England, where the Scot's were defeated in the slaughter of 1513. Also to the east, close to Berwick, is historic Paxton House, renowned for its flowing Palladian lines, magnificent Chippendale furniture and for its Regency picture gallery full of priceless paintings and other beautiful objects. For anyone seeking sporting activities there is golf as well as fishing, tennis, bowling, and riding.

For picturesque walks try the lovely Hirsel Estate, here you can wander at will amongst a vast variety of glorious plantation including stunning banks of late spring and early summer Rhododendrons and Azaleas, lawns spread with lofty trees, and a lake which is a haven for wildlife. The estate has an interesting museum and a craft workshop for gifts and souvenirs.

Coldstream offers many old buildings and places of interest, these include 19th century Heatherslaw Corn Mill and Heatherslaw Light Railway, Lady Waterford Hall and Apple Tree Herb Nursery. Visitors will find plenty of places for refreshment, the town has hotels, inns, restaurants, tea-rooms and shops.

The town is approximately equidistance from the picturesque Northumberland National Park and the hauntingly beautiful Northumberland coast with Lindisfarne and Holy Island. Thus, Coldstream offers the holidaymaker a wealth of opportunities for a visit full of interest amongst historic and beautiful surroundings.