Archive
The second in our exhibition series about the Home family; David Milne Home is the Great Great Grandfather of John Home Robertson, the last private owner of Paxton House.
A gift of a box of rock samples as a young boy sparked an early interest in the geological sciences and this would lead him at the age of only 23 to a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Following a career in the Law, he married Jean Foreman Home in 1832, and the inheritance of his father’s house at Milne Graden in 1845 and Paxton House via his wife’s family in 1852, gave him the freedom to change career to become one of the eminent scientific thinkers of the time. He went on to become the longest serving President of Edinburgh Geological Society and correspond with the likes of Charles Darwin.
Our exhibition will look at his early days as the son of an admiral, through a legal career and to explore the life of a prominent Victorian gentleman scientist.
The exhibition is free to enter daily with the purchase of a Grounds & Gardens Pass – check website for opening times.
📚⭐️GET READY FOR SOME ELF DETECTIVE ADVENTURE!⭐️📚
❤️Here’s a sneak peek of our brand new trail, launching on Saturday 11 July and running everyday until the end of August 2026
A few FAQS
💚The trail runs everyday 10am-4pm
💚Pre booking not required, just pop into our gift shop for the low down
💚£4 per sheet (can be shared)
💚Please remember to bring your own pen/pencil to fill in the clues
💚Trail route suitable for most sturdy outdoors buggies but not wheelchairs unfortunately, our woodland paths can be uneven in places
💚Dogs welcome but must be kept on leads
💚Can be enjoyed by all the family but most suitable for ages 4+
💚Accompanying Adults need to purchase and Grounds & Gardens Pass
Join us in our brand new ballroom for our monthly summer craft fair and browse a selection of local stalls. Free entry to the event on the day.
Access via our gift shop, lift available
Join us in our brand new Ballroom for a showcase of this space.
The Tin Shed proudly invites you to their monthly Artisan Pop Ups in the beautiful ballroom at Paxton House.
Here you will find the most exceptional crafts and art made by local crafters and artists.
You won’t want to miss this.
Join us for a lovely afternoon tea in our cosy Stables Tearoom. A selection of homemade sweet and savoury treats to tempt the taste buds all served on vintage crockery. Follow the booking link to choose your date, time and dietary requirements.
All day admission. Our extensive grounds at Paxton House can lead to different adventures every time you visit, we have seasonal children’s trail running throughout the year, 80 acres of woodland, riverside scenery, herbaceous borders around the house, beautiful walks and woodland trails, with great views of The Union Chain Bridge and varied art or historic exhibitions in our Hayloft gallery. Your dog is welcome as well we just ask that you keep it on a lead and clean up after them
Please display confirmation ticket in your car window, take proof of purchase into our gift shop to receive your pass.
We are working on being kinder to our environment so please download a copy of our map onto your device prior to arrival, there is also a large free standing map in our car park.
Members of Historic Houses and Artfund are advised to contact us directly so we are able to book for you.
Come and enjoy a tour of this exquisite 18th century country house led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides. The tour gives visitors an insight into the lives of those who have lived in Paxton House from the date it was built in 1763. Enjoy seeing the different rooms, including the dining room, drawing room, library and stunning picture gallery with beautiful decorative schemes designed by Robert Adam.
Rare and nationally important furniture including Scotland’s largest collection of Thomas Chippendale furniture and an outstanding collection by Scotland’s leading 19th century cabinet maker, William Trotter. – The collection of Chippendale and Trotter furniture, and their associated archives, have been recognised by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The impressive Picture Gallery displays over seventy Scottish related paintings dating from the 18th century to 1960 lent by our partner The National Galleries of Scotland including work by Sir David Wilkie, – – William McTaggart, the Scottish colourists and Anne Redpath.
Paintings by Scottish Masters including Allan Ramsay, Sir Henry Raeburn, Alexander Nasmyth and David Martin can be viewed in the house alongside European works by Francesco Fidanza, Rosalba Carriera, and Antonio del Massaro da Viterbo.
Our Paxton Ted Trail runs throughout the house, keeping kiddies busy trying to spot bears in each room!
House admission by guided tour only.
June 2026 – 10:15am|11:45am
July to September – 11:00am|12:45pm
Join us for some spooky good Halloween fun and games!
11am and 2pm, most suitable for ages 3 and over
Victorian toys and games and spooky music
Halloween arts & crafts and wand making in the hayloft gallery
Prizes for the best dressed; Autumnal pond dipping; Halloween Trail
Spooky Hot Chocolate in the Stables Tearoom
Face painting will be available at an extra cost
