Archive
Back for 2026, enjoy a truly magical festive experience for the whole family in our beautiful Georgian house, meet & greet Father Christmas and his Elf, receive a gift and get into the Christmas spirit!
Lots of wonderful photo opportunities.
Suitable for ages 12 and under (including babies)
Up to three children are permitted per time slot with an unlimited number of adults.
Price per child includes an age appropriate gift, personalised letter from Santa, making a packet of reindeer food and a kids hot chocolate in the Stables Tearoom!
This lecture examines the transformation of Grenada in the south-east Caribbean following its cession from France to Great Britain under the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The Ceded Islands were the largest territory gains for the British Empire in the eighteenth century and opened up the first opportunities for Scots after the Union of 1707 to settler-colonise in the West Indies. From this period until the abolition of plantation slavery in the British West Indies in 1834, Scots became disproportionately influential in the island’s development. They acquired plantations and invested capital, thus integrating the colony into Scotland’s mercantile networks based upon Atlantic commerce and chattel slavery.
This lecture draws upon research in plantation records, merchant correspondence, and colonial archives in Scotland, England and Grenada undertaken for the monograph The Glasgow Sugar Aristocracy: Scotland and Caribbean Slavery, 1775-1838 (2022). Examining the crucial role played by Scottish merchants, planters, and administrators in reshaping the island’s economy and society, particular attention will be paid to Ninian Home (1732 – 1795). The proprietor of Paxton House exemplified the early Scottish settler-colonisers who helped transform the island into a major sugar and cotton economy sustained by enslaved people.
Many other Scots also repatriated slavery-derived fortunes up to 1834 and beyond, which helped reshape the Scottish economy and society notably through philanthropic initiatives. Thus, Grenada will be considered as a case study of Scottish imperial engagement, demonstrating how a small Caribbean island underpinned Scotland’s transformation. Ultimately, the lecture reassesses Grenada’s place within both the history of Scotland’s global Empire and the making of the British Atlantic world.
Dr Stephen Mullen is Lecturer in History (Legacies of Atlantic Slavery) at the University of Glasgow
Join us for our festive extravaganza, two days of festive fun and Christmas spirit!
Sat 5th and Sun 6th December 2026
10:00am – 3:00pm daily
Adults £4, children under 16 FOC
See our beautiful Georgian house decorated for the season with two magnificent Christmas Trees, browse our huge selection of local stall holders selling a range of wonderful gifts, enjoy roaring fires and live music, visit the Pet Parlour in our Georgian Kitchen, enjoy a turkey roll and hot chocolate in our Tearoom and a walk around our 80 acres of lovely grounds!
Join us for a festive wreath making session in our magical picture gallery using foliage gathered from our 80 acre estate.
Local expert florist Jemma from Occasions of Eyemouth will be on hand to demonstrate and guide.
£36 per person, all materials included as well as unlimited tea and coffee and a festive treat table!
Suitable for ages 16 and over.
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.
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
