ABOUT THE AREA
Our personal favourite places to eat, visit and spend our time.
Local shops and amenities:
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The nearest shops and post office are in Coldingham just one mile away.
Peter Walker is the local butchers in Coldingham and if you travel a little further to the beautiful village of Norham with its stunning castle there is the award winning craft butchers R G Foreman & Son.
Eyemouth hosts the excellent ‘Lough’s Home Bakery’ with a fine range of breads. Find out more on their Facebook page ‘Lough’s Home Bakery’.
There is a small Spar in Coldingham for essentials and larger supermarkets, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco and Aldi in Berwick upon Tweed. (13 miles) or Dunbar (19 miles) has a Asda and Coop. Tesco, Morrisons and Asda all offer a delivery service which could be arranged to arrive when you do.
There is a local market on a Friday in the Ebbs Centre, St. Abbs with stalls from local artists, crafters and producers.
A little further afield, 28 miles is Haddington Farmer’s’ Market. On the last Saturday of the month from 9am-1pm on Court Street EH41 3NP. One of the most atmospheric markets in Scotland with cooking demonstrations, free tastings and live music. Up to 25 Artisan producers concentrate on quality, tradition and flavour.
Information about local produce and where to purchase it can be found on the following sites:
https://scotlandstartshere.com/food-and-drink/local-produce-specialty-food-and-drink-shops/
https://www.livingnorth.com/northeast/food-drink/north-easts-leading-farm-shops-and-producers
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Eating Out:
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Below is a list of recommended eating places in the area:
A short walk from the apartment is Ebbcarrs Café on the harbour at St Abbs, offers delicious local seafood and lunches and incredible scones, cakes and traybakes (10-4 Tue- Sun) Their fresh lobster salad is delicious, and we visit every time we are in Coldingham sands. 01890 771 302
Giacopazzi’s is a local Eyemouth restaurant, recognised nationally for its excellent ice cream. It also makes take away pizza and has a sit in restaurant. Their mango yoghurt and passion fruit ice cream is amazing! 01890 750 317
Coldingham have two pubs, an enjoyable evening stroll up to ‘The New Inn’ (01890 771315) and ‘The Anchor’ (01890 771243) both serve pub food.
The ‘Sands Takeaway’ at Coldingham Leisure Park that you pass on the way out of Coldingham Sands serves super fresh fish and chips (4pm -8pm), to pre order phone 01890 771008
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In Ayton (5 miles away) there is ‘Hemelvaart Bier Café Ayton’, a Continental Style Bier Café, recommended in the Telegraph, that serves food, a wide selection of beer and has live music. Check out their Facebook Page.
A new business ‘Joes Catch Eyemouth’ offers a take-away lunch service in Eyemouth, try their fish boxes, crammed with the freshest seafood. They offer a fish board service for any budget bursting with freshly caught cooked shellfish that can be refrigerated and enjoyed with a glass of wine in the evening with crusty bread, dips and salad. Find them on Facebook to see the latest catch.
A little further in Berwick upon Tweed there are restaurants ‘Audela’ serving contemporary British Cuisine (to book 01289 308827). ‘Gasparro’s’ offers casual Italian dishes (to book 01289 309533) and ‘Foxtons Wine Bar’ is a modern stylish wine bar with a lively atmosphere and delicious locally supplied food. (to book 01289 303939) There are also a variety of other restaurants along the historic Bridge Street including the fine ‘Magna Tandoori’ offering South Asian Cuisine in their restaurant or as a take-away.
Contact ‘Baked Borders’ for buttercream cakes and afternoon teas delivered to the apartment. Find Julie Miller at Baked – Borders on Facebook.
'Barbarella Beets' is a local catering company providing delicious breakfasts, lunches and suppers to you in the apartment. The Dunbar based company can also provide picnics and BBQ's, find them online and on Facbook.
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Local Attractions and Activities
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The Award Winning beach at Coldingham Sands is just a minutes’ walk from the apartment. Supported by lifeguards at peak times, it is overlooked by a row of pretty beach huts. The beautiful sandy beach and clear waters offer opportunities for swimming, surfing and of course, castle building. Equipment and lessons are available at St Vedas Surf Shop. (01890 771679) There is the ‘Beach café’ offering snacks and ice cream. There is also a service to make the beach accessible to all with the ‘Sea the change’ charity which has a beach wheelchair available to book.
The historic village of Coldingham is just a mile inland with charming village pubs, interesting shops, fish and chips, post office and a useful general store along with the 7th Century Coldingham Priory.
St Abbs is either a short ten minute walk along the coast or a short drive. It has some exciting cafes offering delicious coffee and homemade cake or fresh seafood lunches on the harbour. Diving and boat trips can be organised in St Abbs and it is worth enjoying exploring the picturesque lanes that weave around the harbour. You may even recognise it as 'New Asgard' in the latest Avengers film. Highly recommended is the exhilarating RIB ride along the coastline and can be booked at the harbour in St. Abbs.
A short drive or three mile walk along the coastal path is Eyemouth with a larger selection of shops, restaurants and bars. If you find yourself at the harbour look out for the friendly seals who enjoy relaxing on the harbour walls.
Close by is ‘Hillfield Alpacas’ book a one hour experience and feed the 26 Alpacas and get some unique photo opportunities! Phone Kerry on 07702 152 254 to book an appointment.
Namaste! ‘Yoga with Jamie’ classes run on the beach, where he teaches beginner Hatha Yoga and Meditation Classes. Book your place in a group-sessions on the beach at Coldingham Sands, they run on a Saturday and Sunday mornings or contact him for private lessons on (07449181515) or message him on Facebook.
For adrenalin seekers Fox Lake at Dunbar offers wakeboarding, low ropes course over water and high ropes course in the trees with zip lines, plenty of fun for all the family can be booked by calling 01620860657 or check their website www.foxlake.co.uk
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The Scottish Borders have so many hidden gems to discover, along the coast from Berwick upon Tweed to Bamburgh with its incredible white sandy beaches and islands to visit. Or head inland to the traditional borders market town of Kelso and close by, Floors Castle where the deep waters of the River Tweed meet the Teviot, famous for its salmon fishing. Nearby, ‘Roxburghe Clay Pigeon Shooting’ based at Roxburghe Hotel offers an exciting distraction or you may prefer to try a slightly more relaxing trip to the ‘Heatherslaw Light Railway’ near the beautiful village of Etal.
Golfers have the extraordinary 18 hole ‘Eyemouth Golf Club’ on their doorstep. Boasting the No.1 most extraordinary golf hole the 6th ‘A Still No Kin’ is worth a visit. The club also boasts Scotland’s longest hole at 656 yards, ‘The Hawkness Monster’ is worthy challenge. Further afield you have Duns, Kelso and Dunbar Golf Clubs, all welcoming visitors. A special mention goes to ‘The Hirsel Golf Club’ which is set in the stunning grounds of the Hirsel Estate famous for its beautiful Rhododendron display. A small parking fee will allow you access to the homestead, tranquil marked walks, art and craft centre with shop and the delicious Tea-room offering light lunches and afternoon tea.
Explore the historic Norham Castle, which was the site of many battles between the Scots and the English, besieged at least 13 times and once for nearly a year by Robert Bruce. or find out about the rich history of the Georgian Mansion of Paxton House with adventure play park, 80 acres of grounds to walk or float down the Tweed on one of their scenic boat trips. The Union Chain Bridge is nearby at Horncliffe, the oldest suspension bridge in the world still taking vehicular traffic is close by ‘Robson’s bee farm and café’ with fascinating visitors centre and unique gift shop.
South of Berwick is historic Holy Island, reached by a causeway exposed at low tide, explore the beaches, historic Castle, Priory and Lindisfarne Meade to taste.
There are opportunities to walk locally along the Berwickshire Coastal Path giving miles of beautiful coastal views north through picturesque St Abbs or south through the fishing town of Eyemouth. There is a safe footpath to walk or cycle on that takes you from Coldingham Sands to the village of Coldingham shops and pubs.
For those who like a faster pace of life, in Duns there is the ‘Jim Clark Museum’, in North Berwick the ‘National museum of Flight’, for those who enjoy pedal power, the local roads offer excellent cycling routes with beautiful views of the Cheviot Hills.
If you want a day trip both Berwick and Dunbar have train stations to take you in under an hour to Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh or south to bustling Newcastle.
The area is bursting with experiences to make your stay memorable and special with friendly folk to welcome you to ‘The Borders’ for a magical stay.