Location: Duns
Top Things to do in Duns
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The 7 Best Things to Do in Duns, United Kingdom (UK)
Duns in United Kingdom (UK), from Europe region, is best know for Specialty Museums. Discover best things to do in Duns with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Duns
1. Jim Clark Room
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By scotworldtraveller - Scotland
Although this is a very small museum it is packed with information about Jim Clark and his life. There are several informative videos of his races.
2. Manderston
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By vickiebypass - Stamford, Connecticut
"Manderston is the supreme country house of Edwardian Scotland; the swan-song of its era. A house on which no expense was spared with opulent staterooms, the only silver-staircase in the world and extensive "downstairs" domestic quarters. It stands in 56 acres of formal Gardens, with magnificent stables and stunning marble dairy.” Since the house isn’t open until 1:30, I started with the outbuildings and Gardens. Car park is near the stables and tea room. Wow – mahogany stalls w/brass columns and porcelain trough; thick, thick carpet of hay in each stall. Whole tack room with mahogany cabinets.
The Marble Dairy was impressive in concept, but very small so a bit ho-hum. I noticed the head gardener’s house on the way to the dairy – very nice indeed. Enjoyed the Woodland Garden most: on the other side of the lake, there are paths wending through shrubs, trees & rhododendrons; surprise nooks w/statues; each path leads to another path. Most of the rhodos were past their prime but enough still had blooms to give a sense of what it must be like in prime blooming season! Walls of blooms and not just the lavender colors that we see a lot here – scarlet, pink, apricot, white, cream. I liked all the greens and the surprise of paths & nooks (plus, it was cool in here).
Crossed the bridge to the formal Gardens on the terraced area behind the house. As their name indicates, these aren’t fluffy, shaggy Gardens, but instead well-proportioned, geometric designs with rose bushes embedded within designs; topiary shrubs; box hedges and gigantic hostas. Croquet & tennis lawns too.
The house is spectacular and what is even more amazing is that this is a private home and the family still live here. The house is free flow, so you wander at your own pace; there are laminated info sheets in each room and guides. Guide said their money came from trading hemp & herring w/Russia way back; plus, there’s a biscuit connection (bought by Nabisco) and various other sources.
Everyone makes a big deal about the silver staircase, which is impressive, but I was more struck by the grand rooms, which are made human-stature with comfy furniture, worn oriental rugs, books and many family photos. There are a lot of rooms to see – ground floor ballroom, sitting rooms, dining room, library and second floor bedrooms, baths; plus the downstairs. Truly an “Upstairs/Downstairs” sense – white tiled main hall & rooms; 56 bells connected to all the rooms; kitchens; storage rooms; larder; game room; curing room, etc. The housekeeper’s room was large and nicely furnished – Mrs. Bridges never had it so good!
House was used for filming the PBS/BBC series "Edwardian House" so I'll have to re-watch that now that I've been to the house. This was the highlight of all the stately homes I visited.
3. Duns Castle Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By susan h - Duns, United Kingdom
The lake is wonderful it has seats around the lake where you can sit and watch the world going by or sit and watch all the different kinds of birds that come and go
4. Hurly Burly
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By StephLor - Scottish Borders, United Kingdom
We take our grandchildren here regularly, they love to burn off some energy. Snacks, drinks and small meals are served. Plentiful parking good facilities. Reasonable price around £10 for 2 kids.
5. Duns Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Outstanding 18-hole parkland golf course, widely admired and praised. The setting is spectacular, with wide fairways and true greens in the rolling, open countryside of the Scottish Borders. This is a superb golfing experience - a star of southern Scotland. The clubhouse offers excellent food and service, a relaxed atmosphere, free WiFi and a warm Scottish welcome.
Reviewed By Philip S - Pakenham, United Kingdom
Fridays are TGIF days at this Scottish golf course, set in the scenic border region with a round of golf just £10. At this price and having read the course only used to have just nine holes I did have my doubts but it was well worth the drive there.
The course was in great condition considering it was only mid April and the greens were faster than expected. The only other surprise was that the course played longer than the lengths recorded on the scorecard; two other golfers I spoke to felt the same. The uphill par 3 12th into the wind may be the longest 196 yards in golf.
Apart from the 12th there are also short hilly climbs at the 7th, 8th and 16th. The course also feature a couple of blind shots but generally no real trouble off the tee as there are virtually no fairway bunkers.
Very warm welcome and popular with touring golf parties; however, as the standard rate for a round is £30, I couldn't give the course 5 Stars.
6. The Stone Wall Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Contemporary art gallery and sculpture garden with a 5 star Visitor Attraction Award from Visit Scotland. A high standard of art is exhibited within a beautifully converted steading including three very different, light filled gallery spaces, a walled sculpture garden and sculpture courtyard. The gallery is set within 44 acres of private grounds with ample dedicated parking and complimentary refreshments. The website showcases all work on display in a crisp, modern and user-friendly way, with special pages on featured artists and printmakers and lots of background and info on the gallery, including directions and future events and Exhibitions. The gallery has OPEN dates but out with these dates, visits are encouraged by appointment. Work is also available to buy online all year round using the secure World Pay service.
Reviewed By Ahowell2014
I loved the sculpture garden and the variety of artwork on exhibit. The jewellery was clever and very attractive and I enjoyed the work of the artist who paints with her fingers rather than brushes - textures and colours were amazing. Friendly welcome and well worth a visit
7. Whiteadder Water Sports Centre
The Outdoor Education managed centre offers a safe sailing area with fresh, constant winds, and is the ideal place both to learn to sail as well as for enthusiasts to enjoy.
