The Railway Carriage

This rural home blends svelte Scandi style with homeliness, a hot tub, romantic countryside views and peace and quiet in spades.
Elevated above rolling Borders countryside, with a glorious outlook over fields, pockets of lush woodland and a cradle of low, green hills, this quirky getaway is all about the views. Set across one floor, with large sliding doors that frame the countryside vista, raised decking and a large wood-fired hot tub, The Railway Carriage has been designed to immerse you in beautiful nature.

Inside, The Railway Carriage has been ingeniously fashioned from, yes, a railway carriage. Not that you’d probably know: the kitchen area’s telltale, familiarly-curving roof represents a lone reference point. Otherwise, the old carriage has been reshaped and extended into a well-segregated, snug-yet-spacious bolthole.

And a chic one, too, with its pared-back interiors offering a fine example of on-trend Scandi minimalism. Alongside lots of crisp pine and glass come black or white hues and grey, buffed-concrete walls that feel faintly industrial. Those wide windows serve a secondary purpose of allowing in much natural light, mitigating the darker hues, while tactile finishes including plush velvet cushions, thick sheepskin throws and natural jute rugs, plus a chic log-burning stove, lend a cosy edge and increase the sense of homeliness.

Around that bright kitchen area, where an electric oven, induction hob, fridge, microwave and Nespresso coffee machine all await, cabinets are fashioned from a veneered plywood. Another alcove of the main, open-plan space contains a sofa and a sharp coffee table, while the room’s centre hosts a two-person dinner table, which is ideally positioned to take in the bucolic views through three enormous windows.

A clever pocket door divides this living space from the good-sized bedroom. Here slate grey walls are lifted with plenty of natural light, a rattan headboard and warming reading lights, which encourage lazy mornings spent reading paperbacks or the newspaper over a cup of coffee. Off to one side, in the en-suite bathroom, you’ll find an eye-catching oval-shaped, bamboo-clad tub — boasting yet more great views.

There’s a shower, too, located outside (in complete privacy) if you’d prefer to wash al-fresco while admiring those fine vistas. You might also glory at them while sipping champagne in the deck’s two-person, wood-fired hot tub — which doubles as a wonderful place for relishing this rural corner’s fine stargazing — or while sizzling local produce in the Kamado outdoor oven.
GROUND FLOOR
Access door leads directly into the open plan dining, kitchen and living space comprising:

Dining area with table and seating for two. Wood burning stove. Window seat.

Small kitchen with electric oven, induction hob, integrated microwave, fridge, Nespresso Bianco Leggero coffee machine (specific pod type).

Seating area with two-seater sofa and doors leading directly out to the decking area offering wonderful panoramic views.

Bedroom with pocket door divider. Super king bed with zip and link option which can be configured to 3’ twin beds, side tables, wall-mounted Smart TV.

This leads directly to the bathroom with free-standing bath and hand-held shower mixer, heated towel rail, basin.

Pocket door divider leads to a separate WC.

OUTSIDE
There is a decking area and lawned garden to the front and side of the property with garden furniture and far-reaching views across open Borders countryside. Japanese style Kamado outdoor oven, cedar wood-fired hot tub, separate outdoor shower with hot and cold function.

PARKING
There is ample private parking in the gravelled courtyard to the front of the property.

BABIES & CHILDREN
Babies up to six months are welcome but please note that a travel cot and highchair are not provided. Regrettably children cannot be accommodated due to the size of the property.

DOGS
One dog is welcome but must be clean before access into the property (outdoor tap available) and thereafter must be kept off the furniture and out of the bedroom.

Important - please note that the garden is not fully secure. There is a low boundary wall surrounding the property to take advantage of the views, but this drops directly onto farmland with barbed wire fencing. Guests who wish to bring their dog must supervise their dog very carefully for its own safety, and to ensure it does not present a hazard to livestock in the surrounding fields. Dogs must be on leads when walking in the wider area.

GUEST AMENITIES
High-quality bed linen and towels are provided for guests along with guest toiletries and bath robes. A hairdryer is provided.

WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi is provided. Mobile reception is best on the Vodafone and EE network but otherwise more limited in the immediate area.

HEATING
Central heating throughout the property. Wood burning stove in the sitting room with logs supplied.

GUEST PRIVACY
The Railway Carriage is detached, is surrounded by farmland and sits at the end of a no-through road. The garden and patio area is not overlooked and the property offers complete privacy, other than occasional farm traffic.

ACCESS ROAD
The property is accessed via a single lane road which is tarmacked to the farm, leading down to the property via a farm track for the last 250-300 metres. This is rutted and uneven in parts but is accessible by most standard vehicles during normal conditions. Please call if you have any concerns.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
If you are looking for a property in a similar style The Studio (sleeping 2), The Lodge (sleeping 2) and Mulberry Cottage (sleeping 4) sit under the same ownership.