Discover Saint Boswells: Village Centre, Architecture and Golf

Saint Boswells combines a distinctive historic village centre with remarkable architecture, a long-standing traditional event and opportunities for an active day of travel. There are also local places offering books, a café and deli, as well as bus connections to several towns. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is therefore worth considering first whether your trip should focus primarily on local history, architectural heritage, golf, regional exploration or good connections to other destinations.

Historic village centre around the village green

The St Boswells Conservation Area covers most of the historic village centre. It is laid out around the village green, with its tree-lined approach to the centre. This combination of open space, tree-lined avenue and established village setting gives Saint Boswells a clearly recognisable character. Those interested in historic settlement patterns will find a good starting point here for experiencing the village not merely as a place to stay, but as a destination in its own right.

The Conservation Area includes six listed buildings, including the Category A-listed Lessudden House. The church of St Boswells also bears a historical trace: it was formerly known as Lessudden and dedicated to Saint Mary. This gives culturally interested travellers several different points of connection, without limiting the village’s history to a single building.

The architecture of Braehead House

Braehead House is particularly striking. Francis W. Deas designed the building in 1905–06 as a three-storey, asymmetrical small country house in the Scottish Renaissance Revival style. Braehead House is regarded as an outstanding example of an artistically designed small country house created by the leading architect of the early 20th century. It is also a listed building.

This gives Saint Boswells a specific architectural focus for your travel planning. If you appreciate historic buildings and village settings, you can pay particular attention when choosing your accommodation to ensure that Saint Boswells itself provides the cultural setting you are looking for.

The fair and golf as different travel highlights

The St Boswells Fair takes place annually on 18 July. The event is a long-standing tradition dating back to the 18th century. Anyone visiting the village on this date can plan their trip around this fixed event. At other times of year, the historic village centre remains an attraction in its own right, while the fair serves as a special annual date on the calendar.

St Boswells Golf Course is a 9-hole course. St Boswells Golf Club welcomes visitors—individuals, small groups and larger groups. This allows golf to be included as a separate focus in your travel plans, while other members of your party can get to know Saint Boswells through its architecture, local history or local amenities.

Local character and connections

The Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells combines books, a café, a deli and homeware offerings. The business also includes Mainstreet Deli & Home, located in a barn behind the main shop. This combination makes the local amenities interesting for a wide range of day plans: they cover everything from books and a café visit to deli and homeware offerings, without reducing the character of the village to a single attraction.

Local bus connections are important for planning your travel around the area. They run between Galashiels, Melrose, St Boswells, Jedburgh, Kelso, Hawick and Selkirk. If you would like to include places beyond Saint Boswells, these connections can provide practical guidance when choosing your accommodation and putting together your itinerary.

Other places for planning your trip

Further destinations for your research: Eyemouth, Clovenfords, Lauder, Kelso, Selkirk, Duns, Ettrickbridge and Carlops.

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