We like to think we have an interesting and unusual home and would like to take this opportunity to invite you to come and share it for a comfortable and enjoyable break in the village of Lilliesleaf which is situated in the delightful Scottish Border country. We are 40 miles south of Edinburgh and only a little more from Carlisle and Newcastle, easily accessible from the main A7 & A68 trunk roads. As you travel round the area Lilliesleaf seems to be signposted from all directions. We are ideally centrally situated for visiting so many of the small Border towns, each of which have their own particular charm as well as interesting shops, good eating places, traditional crafts and artists of seemingly endless creativity. The area is steeped in history with a myriad of stately homes, keeps and castles to visit, many attractive and interesting gardens and a huge number of outdoor activities suiting a wide range of interests and energy levels. After a days activity you can relax in our spacious rooms or weather permitting enjoy a peaceful retreat to our garden. Your evening meal can be taken in the local pub or in one of the many excellent restaurants only a short distance away. We keep sample menus to assist you with your choice. For breakfast we have a varied menu featuring freshly cooked locally sourced ingredients. By prior arrangement we are happy to cater for special dietary requirements, vegetarian, wheat, dairy or gluten free.
For such a small village, Lilliesleaf is woven through history in curious ways. A Bronze Age settlement has been found near the church, and a church has been on that site since the 11th century. The village has always been a favourite with artists and writers and a local 19th century poet, William Knox was a favourite of the Tsar and President Lincoln. The ancient lands of Riddell are hereabouts. The lands were first granted by King David to layman, and remains to this day with the Riddell family. Riddell house was sadly destroyed by fire when in use by the Women's Land Army during the war but was reputed to have interiors made from wood salvaged from the Spanish Armada, the house was described by Sir Walter Scott as "ancient Riddles fair domain". The oak for HMS Discovery was felled from the Riddell Estate. Perhaps intriguingly, an unknown resident of the village resettled in South Africa, and named his new arm "Lilliesleaf"it was on this farm that Nelson Mandela had his last ANC meeting before his arrest.
