Paxton House to Whiteadder Water

A circular route from the elegant Paxton House crossing the Anglo-Scots border on the banks of the River Tweed.

Paxton House was built in 1758 for Patrick Home of Billie; the building is one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in Britain.

From Paxton House, follow signs to the Boat House. Turn left and follow the mown grass path downstream under poplar trees.

Cross Linn Burn by the timber bridge. Turn right, pass the stone wall, and rejoin the riverbank. Pass the Fishing Shiel.

At a vehicle gate, continue over a stile to another Shiel. Cross another stile opposite an island in the river.

Follow the fence line leading away from the river. Go through two field gates and over a stile. Follow the path to a field gate, turn immediately left onto a farm track through mature woodland.

At the end of the woodland, you reach the Whiteadder Water. Turn left upstream to Whiteadder Bridge (Canty’s Bridge). The original 1868 bridge was swept away in 1947 and replaced by a Bailey Bridge, then the current 1973 bridge.

Cross the bridge, turn left, and follow signs for Low Cocklaw. Cross an old stone bridge and head up into the woods, exiting onto an open field at Low Cocklaw.

At the minor road, turn left. After 400m, take the farm track for 500m past the remains of Edrington Castle, an important site in the Border wars.

At the farmhouses, turn left and cross the footbridge. Follow the steep incline, veering right at the top. Follow the path back into Paxton, keeping the fence on your left.

Pass ‘The Cross’ public house, continue 150m, turn left, and head down the road. Follow signs for Berwick/Paxton House to return to the car park.