The House

Come and explore Paxton House, with our superb expert guides. Where grand architecture, remarkable craftsmanship and extraordinary stories unfold in every room.

Children Go Free in August

Our magnificent Georgian House is family friendly, fun, and full of treasures including a nationally significant collection of Chippendale and Trotter furniture and masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland. Everyone is welcome and there is something for all ages.

This August we are featuring the Magic Faraway Tree Museum Adventure brought to you from Kids in Museums and Blyton Books

The book has recently inspired a hit family film, which sees children embarking on an adventure to a variety of magical lands.

This family friendly tour allows more time to dwell. Each stop on the trail invites children and their families to explore some of the different worlds of the Magic Faraway Tree – from the Land of Topsy Turvy to the Land of Presents! Expect fun drawing and writing activities, plus prompts designed to spark conversations about what you’ve encountered in the museum. Complete the activity sheet to receive your Magic Faraway Tree Museum Adventure sticker!

Step Inside Another World

Built in 1758 for the ambitious and well-travelled Patrick Home of Billie, Paxton remains one of Scotland’s most complete 18th-century houses. Designed by the celebrated architects James Adam and John Adam and furnished by master cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, the interiors are a breathtaking showcase of neo-classical elegance.

Patrick chose a new site high above the river Tweed for his Palladian home, this beautiful spot and design of the house, were certainly chosen to hopefully persuade Sophie, his Prussian sweetheart to marry him. Alas, their love was doomed and Patrick never fully recovered but the house remains as a testament to hope and first love. Patrick then inherited Wedderburn Castle and now thwarted romantically he turned his attention to this property. He eventually sold Paxton to his cousin Ninian Home, who had established himself as a prominent sugar planter in Grenada.

After Ninian’s death in 1795, the house passed to his younger brother George. George commissioned Edinburgh architect, Robert Reid and in 1812 -18-14 a new Library and magnificent Picture Gallery were added to the East Pavillion. This new wing was furnished by renowned Scottish cabinetmaker William Trotter, bringing a rich Regency character to the house.

Over the centuries, remarkably little has changed, meaning what you see today is astonishingly close to what guests experienced more than 250 years ago.

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Eagle holding landing chandelier at Paxton House

Red coat sleeve close up highlighting gold detailing on the cuffs. Costume collection Paxton House

Stables Tea Room – Afternoon Tea

OMG what a lovely surprise, more than your usual afternoon tea and I’ve had a few. We sat down and were immediately given a wee china tea cup full of hot soup – delicious, then came the Afternoon tea, we could not believe it, turkey, stuffing and gravy sandwiches, egg mayo, ham and pickle, cheese and pickle, home made sausage rolls, home made quiche, cheese scones, then the desert tower, all manner of goodies as well as scones, jam and clotted cream. Unlimited tea and coffee. We were royally stuffed , the best value for money ever by sheer amount. Anything left we were given take away boxes for so we could enjoy later at home.
Bravo to the cook/ staff unbelievable quality, amount and great service. Book in advance but well worth it. £26 per person and thoroughly worth every penny.

Kirsty N
The pupils were fully engaged in the activities and clearly enjoyed their day whilst meeting the learning objectives. Excellent value for money.

Mr Tong, Glendale Middle School
We stayed in one of Paxton House’s new glamping pods this autumn and were utterly enchanted. Nestled beside the stately home, forest walks, and the gentle River Tweed, the setting is delightful. The pod itself radiated hygge. Warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed for comfort. Crisp mornings, golden leaves, and birdsong made it feel like a storybook escape. The staff were exceptional, going above and beyond to make our stay special. From the immaculate interiors to the peaceful surroundings, everything was perfect. A truly restorative retreat that blends nature, history, and hospitality with effortless charm. We can’t wait to return.

Charles D

Grandeur, Craftsmanship and Colour

Your journey begins in the perfectly symmetrical Entrance Hall both light-filled and playful, with lively Rococo plasterwork by George Morrison setting the tone for what lies beyond.

Moving on through the house you will discover:

The Dining Room

The grand entertaining space, with its ceiling designed by Robert Adam and elegant furnishings by Chippendale. Flooded with light and enjoying sweeping views across the River Tweed to England, you can almost hear the echo of Georgian dinner parties.

The Drawing Room

Soft pinks and greens, delicate classical motifs and some of the finest Chippendale furniture in the house. Paxton proudly holds the third largest collection of Chippendale furniture in the world. In here you will discover a stunning Robert Adam ceiling and Frech hand painted wallpaper from 1791.

The Library

Home to over 4,000 books, many gathered during Patrick Home’s European adventures. With its distinctly Edinburgh architectural styl and furnishings by William Trotter, the atmosphere here feels richer, darker and more intimate.

Upstairs

The bedrooms reveal differently themed and styled spaces, with elegant Chippendale furnishings and intriguing details such as early ensuite bathrooms -a rare luxury in their day.

The main staircase

With its intricate wrought-iron balustrade and flowing Rococo plasterwork, this feature was designed to impress family and guests alike. (The servants, of course, used a much simpler spiral stair tucked discreetly away.)

A spectacular Picture Gallery

At the end of your tour, you’ll discover the most unexpected space of all — the purpose-built Regency Picture Gallery. Created circa 1812 to display Patrick Home’s art collection, this dramatic, top-lit gallery is breathtaking in scale and atmosphere. With both family portraits and some of the paintings Patrick collected from his travels across Europe and exceptional Regency furniture by William Trotter. Designed to impress, this remarkable space continues to dazzle today — now serving as Paxton’s very own ballroom.

Patrick never fully recovered but the house remains as a testament to hope and first love. Patrick then inherited Wedderburn Castle and now thwarted romantically he turned his attention to this property. He eventually sold Paxton to his cousin Ninian Home, who had established himself as a prominent sugar planter in Grenada.

After Ninian’s death in 1795, the house passed to his younger brother George. George commissioned Edinburgh architect, Robert Reid and in 1812 -18-14 a new Library and magnificent Picture Gallery were added to the East Pavillion. This new wing was furnished by renowned Scottish cabinetmaker William Trotter, bringing a rich Regency character to the house. Over the centuries, remarkably little has changed, meaning what you see today is astonishingly close to what guests experienced more than 250 years ago.