Floors Castle, near Kelso in the Scottish Borders, is the family home of the Duke of Roxburghe and Scotland’s largest inhabited castle. The estate combines grand rooms and collections of art, porcelain and tapestries with a four-acre walled garden, glasshouses and walks beside the River Tweed. Look for the herbaceous borders, vegetable garden and apple trees in the Millennium Garden, then stop at the courtyard café for lunch. The castle’s exterior has been undergoing restoration, so check its current condition before you go.
A family home by the Tweed
Floors Castle stands near Kelso in the Scottish Borders and remains the home of the Duke of Roxburghe. Designed by Scottish architect William Adam for the 1st Duke, it was built in the 1720s. Later additions, including turrets and battlements, gave the house its castle-like outline. It is described as Scotland’s largest inhabited castle.
The house and estate tell a story shaped by successive generations of the Roxburghe family. Inside, rooms contain furniture, European art, porcelain, carpets and tapestries. The collection includes 15th-century tapestries. Visitors can see the interiors when the castle is open to the public; access to the house has not always been available throughout the year, so check before setting out.
Rooms and restoration
The scale of the house is part of the visit: grand rooms hold the collections, with views across the grounds and toward the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills. Restoration work has affected parts of the central and upper exterior, with scaffolding reported during recent visits. Work on old stonework can also give context to the building’s upkeep, but the appearance of the castle may be affected while work is in progress. Check the estate’s current information if seeing the exterior or touring the house is central to your plans.
The walled garden and estate walks
The four-acre walled garden has herbaceous borders, a vegetable garden and glasshouses used to grow fruit and vines. In spring and summer, the borders fill with flowers; the glasshouses include an original structure where peaches grow. A summerhouse in the garden was visited by Queen Victoria during her 1867 stay with the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe.
The Millennium Garden adds a different planting scheme, with numerous apple trees. Beyond the formal gardens, paths lead through woodland and along the River Tweed. The estate’s river route is clearly signed, and the grounds are described as accessible for walking. For a fuller visit, combine the garden with a walk and allow time to pause at the courtyard café, which sits beside the walled garden. A shop on the estate sells gifts and other goods.
FAQ
Where is Floors Castle?
Floors Castle is near Kelso in the Scottish Borders, on the River Tweed.
What can you see in the gardens?
The estate has a four-acre walled garden with flower borders, a vegetable garden and glasshouses, as well as the apple trees of the Millennium Garden.
Can you visit the inside of Floors Castle?
The castle’s rooms and collections are open to visitors at some times of year. Check current access before your visit, as the house has not always been open year-round.
Are there walks at Floors Castle?
Yes. Paths include a signed route beside the River Tweed and walks through woodland.
