Join

Abbotsford

Extraordinary home of writer Sir Walter Scott sitting on the banks of the River Tweed in the glorious Scottish Borders.

Melrose, Roxburghshire

Abbotsford, Roxburghshire

Experience this house

Visit

Free admission to members of Historic Houses when you show a valid membership card.
Free admission to members of Historic Houses when you show a valid membership card.
Facilities
  • Accessible loos
  • Accessible parking
  • Cafe / restaurant
  • Charged parking
  • Easily accessible without car
  • Facilities for children
  • Mostly wheelchair accessible
  • Parkland / open spaces
  • Pet friendly
  • Picnic area
  • Shop
for the latest information.
Accessibility
  • Hearing loops
  • Guide dogs welcome
  • Accessible parking
  • Accessible toilets
  • Wheelchair ramps/routes
Does our information need updating?
Let us know here

Visit Abbotsford, a monument to the tastes, talents and achievements of its creator, one of Scotland’s most important national figures; a renowned nineteenth-century writer and ‘Great Scot’ who changed how the world saw Scotland and Scotland saw itself.

Located in the heart of the beautiful Borders countryside, Abbotsford was built by Sir Walter Scott in the nineteenth century as a family home, work space and private museum and his interests can be seen in the amazing gothic architecture and interiors jam-packed with fascinating curios, artefacts, books and stories galore.

Visitors can learn about Sir Walter Scott through visiting the historic house and free exhibition. Browse Abbotsford’s shop, enjoy seasonal food in Ochiltree’s café or simply relax in the beautiful Regency Walled Gardens and tranquil woodlands.

Opening Times

Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.

View website

Abbotsford’s historic house, chapel, gardens, Witch Corner sculpture trail and Visitor Centre including gift shop, café and free exhibition are open every day 10am-4pm (last entry to house and Witch Corner 3pm). Our estate walks are always open to the public.

https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/visit/plan-your-visit/tickets-and-opening-times

Admission

Historic Houses members visit for free

House and Gardens

Adult £14.00
Student £13.00
Child £6.50
Family Ticket £35.00

Gardens only

Adult £7.50
Student £7.00
Children (Under 17) £4.00
Family Ticket £21.00

https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/visit/plan-your-visit/tickets-and-opening-times

Group Visits

We warmly welcome groups and can help you plan all aspects of your visit to suit your interests and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable guides and bookings team are ready to help you plan a visit to suit your itinerary and make your experience at Abbotsford one to treasure.

Pre-book your tour and be assured of maximum benefits from your visit. If there are 10 or more in your group, pre-book a visit to Abbotsford and enjoy additional benefits.

Educational Visits

Our programme for schools takes pupils on a journey into the heart of Scott’s world with an exciting range of cross-curricular learning experiences for pupils of all ages.

Contact us to discuss a visit and discover Abbotsford and the world of Sir Walter Scott for yourself!

for the latest information.
Accessibility
  • Hearing loops
  • Guide dogs welcome
  • Accessible parking
  • Accessible toilets
  • Wheelchair ramps/routes
Does our information need updating?
Let us know here

Getting here

Melrose, Roxburghshire

Train services from Edinburgh operate 7 days a week and takes just under an hour.  Bus services including the ‘Border Weaver’, X62 and 72 stop a short stroll from Abbotsford.

A Hop On Hop Off Tour, complete with commentary, also stops also takes in Abbotsford.

What3words: main visitor car park entrance is at ///shops.chap.ranges

On Sir Walter Scott

Scott was a great and versatile writer, the author of splendidly long poems, of lyrics & short stories. Abbotsford reflects, almost like no other place, the mind, enthusiasms and preoccupations of the man who built it.

Abbotsford Sir Walter Scott Painting

Sign up for our newsletter

Read more of our stories, receive exclusive content, and find out what’s on.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our privacy policy.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Become a Historic Houses member

Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.

Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.

Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.

Join now
Abbotsford grounds and flowers

Visit houses nearby

Free
Thirlestane Castle in Berwickshire, Scotland

Thirlestane Castle

Lauder, Berwickshire, TD2 6RU

Free
Traquair House, Innerliethen

Traquair House

Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, EH44 6PW

Free
Bowhill House

Bowhill House & Grounds

Selkirk, TD7 5ET