Guests say
North Cottage offers a peaceful and relaxing retreat surrounded by beautiful countryside, perfect for those seeking tranquillity and nature. Guests consistently praise the spotless cleanliness, comfortable beds, and well-equipped kitchen. The remote location is ideal for escaping everyday life, though it is a drive to the nearest town, so planning ahead is recommended. The host is frequently described as welcoming and attentive, ensuring guests have everything they need for a memorable stay. Many visitors return multiple times, highlighting the cottage’s charm and the area’s excellent walking opportunities.
Multiple reviews describe the cottage as spotless and maintained to a very high standard, with no negative comments regarding cleanliness.
The remote and peaceful setting is highly valued by guests seeking to get away from it all, though some note the distance to the nearest town requires preparation.
Guests repeatedly mention the cottage’s comfort, especially the beds and cosy atmosphere, making it ideal for relaxation.
The cottage is described as well-equipped, with a good kitchen, log burner, smart TV, board games, and reliable Wi-Fi. Maintenance is praised, with no significant issues reported.
The host is frequently commended for being welcoming and attentive, offering to help with shopping and providing complimentary logs on arrival. Please note that such gestures are not guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
For the perfect, peaceful and relaxing retreat right in the heart of the Scottish Borders, this property can be booked with South Cottage (UK35715) to sleep eight people altogether..
Ground Floor:
Living room: Smart TV, DVD Player, DVDs, Woodburner
Kitchen/dining room: Electric Oven, Electric Hob, Microwave, Fridge/Freezer, Washing Machine
Bathroom: Bath With Shower Over, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 1: Kingsize (5ft) Bed
Bedroom 2: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds.
Oil central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Initial logs for wood burner included.. Garden with sitting-out area and garden furniture. Bike store. Private parking for 2 cars. No smoking. Please note: There is a fenced river in the grounds, 50 metres from the property.. Situated at the head of the Borthwick Water valley, North Cottage at Howpasley Farm Cottages offers a rural retreat for those wishing to step back from the bustle of modern life. Here, the pace of life is slow, and the predominant sounds are those of birdsong, the wind in the trees and water tumbling over rocks in Howpasley Burn.
North Cottage is most likely to appeal to naturalists, birdwatchers, walkers and cyclists and those wishing to explore the wild, open and unpopulated landscapes of the western regions of the Scottish Borders. There is direct access from Howpasley Farm to marked walking trails in Craik Forest, and for cyclists, to many miles of forest roads through the surrounding plantations.
The nearest shops and facilities are in the town of Hawick, some 12 miles from Howpasley; the nearest cities are Carlisle, 1 hour drive south, and Edinburgh is under 2 hours’ drive north.
North Cottage has the traditional layout of farmworkers’ cottages in this region: two decent-sized bedrooms on the first floor and bathroom, kitchen/dining room and living room on the ground floor. The cottage has recently been upgraded and redecorated in 2021 and offers simple but comfortable accommodation for up to four people. For those wanting to relax, it has a TV and DVD player and a small selection of books, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles and board games. An oil-fired boiler provides heating and hot water, and the living room has a wood burner. North Cottage offers a more spacious kitchen/dining room and slightly larger second bedroom than South Cottage.
North Cottage has its own garden with a picnic table and there is ample, dedicated car parking; storage space for bikes is available in an adjoining shed. High-speed internet access via fibre broadband is provided and there is a reasonable 4G mobile phone signal.
Once a sizeable sheep farm, Howpasley Farm steadily reduced in size during the 20th century as more and more of its hill grazing was sold off for commercial forestry; farming activities are now focused on grazing the fields at lower levels and on the creation and management of conservation woodland. Visitors are welcome to walk the farm tracks alongside Howpasley Burn and explore those fields where sheep are not currently grazing.
North Cottage can be booked together with South Cottage (ref UK35715) to accommodate up to 8 guests.
Free WiFi
The property is located on a working farm.
Children must be supervised on site due to possible safety hazards.
EPC Rating = E
Scottish Letting Licence No: SB00059F
Scotting Letting Licence No: SB00060F
Reviews (11)
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Neil
Outstanding. We were genuinely upset at leaving. Such a wonderful cottage in a beautiful area. The cottage had everything you need. Some days we just decided to stay in as it was such a fantastic place to stay rest and enjoy the natural beauty of the cottage and the area. Tim was such a kind and welcoming person which added to our wonderful holiday experience. We would highly recommend this stunning location and cottage. Thankyou Tim We very much hope to be able to come back very soon.
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Abi Satchell
We have stayed at this cottage on 4 other occasions, the host is a lovely man that comes down to welcome you then leaves you to enjoy your stay, logs are supplied to get you started and if you need more the host can supply for a small charge.The kitchen is well equipped, the beds are very comfy and has gorgeous wallpaper of birds that you may see come to the bird table that you can see from the bedroom or lounge.A little way away there is the Craik forest and roaming sheep and pheasants by the streams, we went late February/early march and saw two oyster catchers.This is a slice of heaven.
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Peter Turner
Another great stay in North Cottage, 2nd visit. Cottage warm and comfortable, well equipped and Tim is an attentive host.