Plan A Visit
Educational Visits
Group Visits
The Scottish Borders
Bowhill House & Gardens
The Buccleuch Collection
History
Bowhill House Gardens
House Tours
Love & Respect Victorian Age Exhibition
The Adventure Playground
The Victorian Kitchen
Walking and Hiking
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Fishing
Ranger Service
Stay
Contact
Discover the Gardens and Grounds of Bowhill
Steeped in history, every aspect of the landscape at Bowhill is there for a reason. Its history and creation can be traced back to W.S Gilpin, the ‘picturesque improver’ with influence from Abbotsford’s, Sir Walter Scott too. From the formal terraces, to the two lochs and tree lined vistas.
Front of the House
A stroll on the formal southern terraces opens up stunning vistas across the Ettrick Valley and the upper loch, which was deliberately designed to complement the landscape. Here visitors to the House can also explore a rose garden, formal flower borders and a rock garden.
Unusually, the gardens to the front of the House are less formal. Rhododendrons and azaleas splash wild lines of colour and daffodils trumpet the arrival of spring on the lush lawns.
The Wider Designed Landscape
Walk to the east end of the House and you’ll come upon the Sunken Garden. We are creating a small arboretum here amid the familiar delights of the spring bulbs. These trees will put on a year-round show with their spring and autumn colours, flowers and berries.
Although not open to the public our walled garden and glasshouses are working to produce a variety of plants and flowers which are used in the House and many of which can be seen in the Gardens in front of the house.
Discover the Gardens and Landscape
Plan a Visit
The gardens at the front of the House are now used by the family but open for house tour visitors. The rest of the gardens can be explored when the Grounds are open. We have created a map with local artist Hannah Longmuir highlighting some points of interest. This can be viewed above or downloaded.