Sir Walter Scott's 1800s baronial mansion, with his study & landscaped gardens.
Abbotsford is the extraordinary home of the 19th century novelist and ‘Great Scott’ who popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote and rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels.
Discover a treasure trove of intriguing objects which inspired his greatest poems and novels. Learn about Scott’s life, browse the gift shop, enjoy seasonal food in our café or simply relax in the beautiful formal gardens and tranquil woodlands.
Our Visitor Centre, café, play trail and estate paths are open seven days a week all year round and are free to access. The House and Gardens are open March to November with a range of options and events to make the most of your visit.
ACCESSIBILITY
Abbotsford is largely accessible and we welcome visitors with different access requirements.
Visitor Centre and car park
Dedicated disabled parking is available within the Visitor Centre car park. A paved path on an incline runs from the car park to the entrance to the Visitor Centre at a distance of approximately 109 yards / 100 metres.
The reception desk, shop, exhibition and toilets are located on the ground floor of the Visitor Centre. Ochiltree’s restaurant is on the first floor of the building and an access lift is available. Please note that the lift is for the use of two people only, up to a maximum of 400kg. The lift measures 148cm in depth by 100cm in width.
Alternative level access to Ochiltree’s restaurant is also possible. Please contact us on 01896 752 043 to arrange drop-off at the rear of the building and an escort to the restaurant. Disabled toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the Visitor Centre and on the first floor at Ochiltree’s restaurant.
Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge from the Visitor Centre for the duration of a visit.
Historic house and gardens
The House is accessible via a paved path which runs from the Visitor Centre to the Gardens at a distance of approximately 330 yards / 300 metres.
Alternative access to the front door of the historic house is also possible. Please contact us on 01896 752 043 to arrange drop-off/pick up.
Inside the house, the visitor route is located on one floor within the house and all rooms are fully accessible (please note there is one step at the door to the Chapel). Floor surfaces are a combination of stone, varnished wood and carpet. Respite seating is available throughout the house and benches are available outside the Visitor Centre and within the gardens in the South Court.
The majority of the paths within the Gardens are wheelchair accessible (combination of chipped gravel and smooth resin-bound gravel path surface). As Abbotsford is a historic site, floors and surfaces may be uneven and visitors should take care.
Mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs are welcome within all areas of the Visitor Centre, House and Gardens.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the Visitor Centre, House, Gardens and wider estate and water is available on request.
Dogs Welcome
At Abbotsford, we absolutely love dogs, of all shapes and sizes and they are welcome on a leash throughout the grounds and gardens with access restricted only to the Visitor Centre and the Historic House.
