Gordon

Gordon offers interesting contrasts for a trip that combines nature and history. In the surrounding area are Gordon Moss, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and Gordon Community Woodland with trails, a large pond and picnic areas. At the same time, Gordon is home to several historic buildings. This allows you to organise your days in different ways and, when choosing your accommodation, focus on the experiences that matter most to you.

Nature experiences around Gordon

Gordon Moss is located less than 1 km west of Gordon. Those interested in designated natural areas can include Gordon Moss in their travel plans. For a more active stay, Gordon Community Woodland in the surrounding area is a good option. The woodland lies 1 mile east of the village of Gordon on the A6105. Various deciduous trees grow there, and there is also a large pond, picnic areas and benches.

The accessible path in Gordon Community Woodland begins at the main car park on the A6105. This car park is marked by a large stone pillar. The path is suitable for wheelchair users with assistance and leads to a picnic area. Other paths with gentle gradients also run through the woodland. This means that when planning your day, you can choose between the accessible path to the picnic area and the additional paths with gentle gradients, without limiting the nature experience to just one option.

There is also an official core paths map for Gordon and Greenlaw. It provides useful guidance if you would like to familiarise yourself with the available paths in advance. The various path options, benches and picnic area create different opportunities for spending time outdoors – from a short break to a more extensive exploration of the woodland.

Historic places and buildings

Greenknowe Tower is designated as a Scheduled Monument. The grounds of Greenknowe Tower are open for exploration. The tower itself is currently closed while important conservation work is under way and can be viewed through a protective fence. This distinction is important for your planning: you can visit the grounds, but should not plan on accessing the tower's interior.

St Michaels Parish Church also offers several historical points of interest. The church was built in 1763 and received later additions in 1897. It is thought to stand on a church site dating from the 12th century. The churchyard contains gravestones from the 18th and 19th centuries. This means that the history of the place can be explored not only through the church building, but also through the surviving evidence in the churchyard.

Gordon Old East End Church dates from 1843 and has additions from 1893. It is a former Free Church, prominently located at the eastern entrance to Gordon on the A6105. The porch, tower, belfry and a library intended for the minister were donated by Mr Wood Brown in 1892. The different dates and stages of construction make the building a distinctive historical point of reference, without equating its former function with a present-day use.

Gordon as a base for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Gordon, you can first consider whether you want the nature trails, historic places or a combination of both to be the focus of your trip. There is a bus connection for travelling to the area: bus service 84 runs between Kelso and Gordon via Kelso Hospital and High Croft. This connection is just as useful for practical orientation as the location of the destinations you would like to visit during your stay. Therefore, choose your accommodation according to your preferred travel rhythm and consider which of the places mentioned you would like to include in your personal plans.

Discover more places

If you would like to consider destinations beyond Gordon for your travel plans, here is a concise selection: Eyemouth, Coldstream, Newcastleton, Kershopefoot, Swinton, Ettrickbridge, Melrose and Duns.

For the higher-level travel overview: The Scottish Borders.