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THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
A modern family home in a popular part of Three miles south of the abbey town of Melrose, Bowden is a village with a history that stretches back to the 12th Century - although its claim to fame was in 1531 when the village was granted the right to hold the first non-burghal market in Scotland, an event marked by the market cross that still stands to this day and now serves as the parish war memorial. There is also evidence that this area was inhabited far earlier, according to the many artifacts found in and around the village dating from the Iron Age. Once inhabited by farm workers and weavers, Bowden’s residents nowadays are more likely to be professionals and local government staff employed by the Scottish Borders Council, which has its headquarters in nearby Newtown St Boswells. Aside from being steeped in history, Bowden benefits from having a picturesque setting tucked in the shadow of the Eildon Hills.
And while the village has many listed buildings of varying importance – including the kirk with its ancient bell and stunning stained glass windows, former school house, market cross and well – it also has modern property options, one currently being Eildonlea, a traditionally built detached villa in Brunton Park with an attached single garage and beautiful enclosed child-safe garden grounds. Eildonlea’s current owners have upgraded the distinctively styled property in the last ten years, re-fitting the kitchen, bathroom, shower room and adding a sizeable all-year-round conservatory to provide a sunny additional sitting room accessed off the living room.
Considerable time and effort have also gone into landscaping the garden, which is one of this property’s key features and includes lawns, areas for sitting, a vegetable garden, greenhouse, and planting that provides year-round colour and interest. Attractively presented throughout, the split-level accommodation is over two main floors and includes an entrance hall, two reception rooms, conservatory, fitted kitchen and fully tiled shower room, with two double bedrooms and a bathroom on a mid-floor and two further double bedrooms and a small study on the upper floor.
THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
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the historic village of Bowden near Melrose The living room, as elsewhere, benefits from neutral decoration, which is further enhanced by light from the patio doors and conservatory beyond. The focal point, however, is the Fyfestone fire surround and slate hearth housing a wood-burning stove. Partially open-plan to the living room, the dining room has hardwood flooring and windows to the side and rear - and the kitchen, which has a back door to the garden, is fitted with attractive wood-finish wall and base units, laminate work surfaces and co-ordinated tiled splashbacks and includes a Range Master cooker with five-burner ceramic hob, integrated fridge freezer, and space/plumbing for other appliances. The two double bedrooms on the mid-level both have built-in wardrobes, while the re-fitted family bathroom has vanity storage, a corner bath and separate fully tiled shower enclosure with a power shower. And on the upper level, the two remaining bedrooms also have built-in wardrobes (storage throughout this house is well above average) – and a delightful additional feature is the small study off bedroom four, which has a sloping roof, Velux window, and fitted storage. Eildonlea is a particularly attractive family home in an idyllic village setting that is perfect for commuters, with easy access to Edinburgh – and more importantly, the new rail station at Tweedbank when the train service to Edinburgh Waverley commences next year.
Eildonlea, 51 Brunton Park, Bowden, TD6 0SZ Guide Price £275,000
Details on page 22