spaceKirk Yetholm House

Book Right Here And Now!

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Kirk Yetholm Friends of Nature House,
Waukford, Kirk Yetholm, Kelso, Roxburghshire TD5 8PG

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Kirk Yetholm Friends of Nature House is now open and bookable on-line via the web link shown above.
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After purchase from the SYHA we are excited to continue the tradition of Kirk Yetholm as a Friends of Nature House, open to all . . . but especially serving walkers, cyclists, individuals, families and small groups who want to explore the wonderful Borders landscape. We have also rejoined the Scottish YH network as an SYHA Affiliate Hostel as both organisations have a common heritage and ethos.
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The local Community, Borders Council, walking and outdoors groups have all supported the continuation of Kirk Yetholm and we have some great plans for the coming years in terms of green initiatives for the building and supporting the local economy. Last September we celebrated 70 yrs of offering accommodation in the village in what was originally the village school.
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Kirk Yetholm is run by a mix of volunteer wardens and paid staff . . . so if anyone is interested in wardening (or work parties!!) please get in touch.
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Meanwhile, please read on . . . come and stay, and join Friends of Nature and help celebrate another 70 yrs in the village!!


KY Hostel

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The House:
Kirk Yetholm, nestling below the picturesque village green, is the former village school but has been offering hostel style accommodation for the last 70 years. Located at the start/end of the Pennine Way it is the classic stop for the PW walker; for those doing the St. Cuthbert's Way; for cyclists on the 250 mile "Borderloop" cycle route; as a base for local day hikes and for those interested in the countryside and local heritage. It is particularly suited to individuals, families and small groups. Recently upgraded, the house offers a friendly and peaceful retreat in which to stay after a day exploring the stunning local countryside.
 
Opening hours:
Reception is open from 8.00am to 10.00am and from 5.00pm to 10.30pm. Hot drinks are available on arrival and there is all day access to the drying room and seating for those arriving early
 
Open Season:
Open daily from 1 week before Easter until the beginning of November. During winter we are open for sole-use bookings by arrangement in advance. Check the website or e-mail for further details as we may well be open!!
 
Bedrooms:
22 beds in 2x2, 1x4 and 1x6 and 1x8 bed rooms. The 2 bed rooms have single beds, the other rooms have bunk beds. All bedding is provided. Some rooms have a wash basin. There are 2 showers and 4 toilets.
 
Meals:
Kirk Yetholm is a self-catering House so guests have the choice of either using our kitchen facilities or taking meals and breakfast in one of the local Pubs or Hotels in either Kirk Yetholm village or nearby Town Yetholm. The Border Hotel on the adjacent village green offers great food and is very popular with walkers.
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The guests' kitchen is very well equipped with 2 gas hobs, a domestic sized cooker with oven, large combi microwave, and under counter fridge. All cooking utensils are provided. There is room to comfortably seat 18 at one sitting in the dining area.
 
Drinks:
Tea and coffee are provided in return for a donation. Lounge:
We have a cosy lounge area with comfortable seating, an additional electric heater and a small library. There are board games and cards for the evenings. The adjacent dining area serves as an overspill and is a popular meeting area and place for board games, partly due to the glow of the adjacent stove which helps create a warm and cosy atmosphere.
 
Shopping:
There is a small shop in the House but it does not sell food items. The village shop in Town Yetholm (10 min walk) sells a complete range of foodstuffs, is open until 5 pm Monday - Saturday and until 4 pm on Sundays. We hope you will support the local eating and shopping facilities provided by our community.
Car parking:
We have a parking area suitable for 6 cars directly infront of the building. For the benefit of our neighbours, you are asked not to park in the street or block the access routes to houses beyond the building. Further parking is available by the main village green just 100m from the building.
 
Other facilities:
A drying room with electric heater. A lockable cycle shed.
 
Smoking:
For the comfort of all our guests smoking is not permitted anywhere in the House.
 
Additional information (and see further information below):
Kirk Yetholm is a pretty Borders village set around a large village green and bounded by several thatched cottages, the largest being The Border Hotel. A commemorative stone marks the end/start point of the 270 mile long Pennine Way - Britain's first and longest long distance path (National Trail). Buses to Kelso and further afield stop adjacent to the village green, just 100 m from our House. A short 10 min walk across the fields leads to Town Yetholm where there is a well stocked Village Shop selling all food items, newsprint, gifts etc. Across the road from the Village Shop is The Plough Hotel, another favourite eating place. A little further along the main street is the butchers, selling a variety of local produce, along with fresh bread and rolls.
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Just 7 miles away and served by buses every other hour is the market town and regional centre of Kelso, famous for its Abbey. It is a wonderfully atmospheric place to wander and explore the side streets. The cobbled square, Town Hall and Hotel are particularly attractive. The Tourist Information is located in the front of the Town Hall. Nearby is Floors Castle overlooking the massive Tweed River, open to the public it is still the home of the 10th Duke of Roxburghe.
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The walker and cyclist are spoilt for choice with miles of footpaths and quiet lanes to explore in the local Borders countryside and the adjacent Northumberland National Park. The Border with England is at the tiny hamlet of Yetholm Mains, just over a mile from Kirk Yetholm. Historic Melrose and Jedburgh with their famous Abbeys are easily accessible - the start of the 4 day St. Cuthberts Way walk starting at Melrose and stopping in Kirk Yetholm before heading over to Wooler and on to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) is very popular with pilgrims and leisure walkers alike. Berwick on Tweed with it's fortified ramparts and Lowry connections is well worth a visit, as are the coastal beaches and castles of Northumberland. To the north the relatively unknown Berwickshire Coastal Path runs for some 40 miles with cliffs up to 340ft high and offers the bird watcher and coastal lover spectacular scenery and wildlife, particularly approaching the National Nature Reserve at St. Abbs Head. Even Newcastle and Edinburgh with their profusion of art galleries, museums and theatres are only some 50 miles distant. Bus and train timetables are available at reception and we will be happy to help you plan your routes.

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Local Attractions and Activities

Walking and Cycling:
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* Kirk Yetholm FoN House is a popular start or end point on the Pennine Way National Trail, the oldest and longest (268 miles/425km) of our long distance paths and which follows the rugged backbone of England, from the Peak District through the Yorkshire Dales and over Hadrian's Wall to Scotland. Amongst the finest upland walking in England and Scotland with miles of empty spaces, quiet villages and panoramic views. True "BIG SKY COUNTRY"! Details and guidebooks at: Pennine Way.
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* The St. Cuthberts Way starting in Melrose and passing through Kirk Yetholm on it's way to Holy Island is a very popular 4 day/62 mile/100km walk with both pilgrims and leisure walkers alike. More details at:
www.stcuthbertsway.info and
www.stcuthbertsway.net
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* For cyclists, the 250 mile "Borderloop" passes through Kirk Yetholm. We are also within 7 miles of the "Tweed Cycleway" which runs from Biggar to Berwick. For full details see the excellent cyclescottishborders site, or for details of other cycle routes in Scotland (and England) see the Sustrans site here.
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* Kirk Yetholm is an ideal base for exploring the countryside and attractions on foot, by bicycle or public transport.
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Some local attractions and places of interest
to whet your appetite:

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* Floors Castle and Gardens, Kelso (7 miles). The largest inhabited castle in Scotland. Click here.
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* Jedburgh Abbey, Jedburgh (14 miles). Extremely well preserved abbey ruins on south side of Jedburgh.
Click here
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* Smailholm Tower. Well-preserved 15th century rectangular tower on a rocky outcrop. Home to the Pringles and Scotts, Smailholm is a prominent landmark that proved inspirational to Sir Walter Scott who is buried at nearby Dryburgh Abbey. Click here.
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* Dryburgh Abbey. Beautifully sited abbey on the banks of the River Tweed, this remarkably complete medieval ruin makes it easy to appreciate the attractions of monastic life. Burial place of Sir Walter Scott. Click here.
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* Jedforest Deer and Farm Park and Falconry Centre, Jedburgh (14 miles). One for the families and children - with hills, streams and woods to explore, animals of all shapes and sizes to discover, and places to play, relax and refuel, Jedforest Deer & Farm Park makes a great day out for the whole family. At the Falconry Centre their are opportunities for handling falcons, hawks, owls and eagles which may well be more of interest to the adults.
More details at:
http://www.jedforestdeerpark.co.uk and
http://www.falconryscotland.co.uk.
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* Lindisfarne (Holy Island) 25 miles. A short hop into England to see The Holy Island of Lindisfarne where in 635AD St. Aidan came from Iona and chose to found his monastery on Lindisfarne. The web site has details and links for the Castle, Churches and related sites open to the public.
See: www.lindisfarne.org.uk.
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* Scottish National Trail. This 864km route runs from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath and has become known as the Scottish End-to-End. Officially opened autumn 2012 the route has become popular with walkers undertaking "bite sized" chunks and made easier by the dedicated web site, route description and mapping at:
www.scottishnationaltrail.org.uk
and
www.walkhighlands.co.uk/scottish-national-trail.shtml
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* Borders Walks. Walkhighlands who researched the mapping and route guide for the Scottish National Trail above also have an excellent web site with many other walks in the Scottish Borders (and all other parts of Scotland). See:
www.walkhighlands.co.uk/borders/
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Activities and Events:
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The best guide to what's happening is the village's own web site, Yetholm Online. Here you will find details of such events as the annual walking festival in May; the Yetholm Summer Festival (June); Kelso Civic Week in July, and regulars such as bonfire night, Hogmanay and the village pantomime (usually February). There is also a special Visitor Guide page on the site.

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How to find us:
OS Grid Ref: NT 826 282 - Geo-Coordinates:  55.533378  -2.277233
OS 1:25,000 Explorer Map 339 - Kelso, Coldstream and the Lower Tweed Valley
OS 1:25,000 Outdoor Leisure Map OL16 - The Cheviot Hills
OS 1:50,000 Landranger Map 74 - Kelso and Coldstream
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Reservations and Enquiries:
To make a booking or check availability please e-mail us at: kirkyetholm@thefriendsofnature.org.uk
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Telephone/FAX: +44 (0)1573 420639 (answerphone during closed periods)
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2016 Prices:
Adult  . . . . . . . £18
Under 18 . . . . £15
2 bed room . .£40
4 bed room . .£74 (adult room rate)
4 bed room . . £64 (family room rate, minimum of 1 adult and 1 under 18)
Non-members - add £3 per person/night for each adult, payable on arrival.
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Debit and Credit cards are accepted.
Cheques payable: "Kirk Yetholm Friends of Nature House".
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Our address is: Friends of Nature House, Waukford, Kirk Yetholm, Kelso, Roxburghshire TD5 8PG

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PLEASE NOTE:
Friends of Nature UK and IFN members, SYHA and HI members will pay the reduced member rate for accommodation (as shown on the web site above) and will not have to pay the supplement on arrival providing their membership card is shown at the time of check-in.

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Updated - Friday, 25 March 2016


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