Floors Castle
Floors Castle, Kelso, Roxburghshire, TD5 7SF
The Duke of Roxburghe's home above the River Tweed at Kelso, with grounds listed in Scotland's Inventory of Gardens and a walled garden with a plant centre and café.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Floors Castle?
Floors Castle is the home of the Duke of Roxburghe and one of the grandest houses in the Scottish Borders, and its grounds give garden visitors plenty to enjoy. The castle stands on terraces above the River Tweed near Kelso, looking south to the Cheviot Hills, and the grounds are listed on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Scotland's national register of significant gardens.
For gardeners the main destination is the walled garden. It has long housed a plant centre selling trees, shrubs, perennials, alpines and fruit trees, with staff on hand for advice, and the Terrace Café, so it makes an easy stop even on a short visit. Beyond the walls, the parkland setting by the Tweed suits a gentle walk, with views back to William Playfair's turreted castle and across the river towards the site of medieval Roxburgh Castle.
Allow one to two hours for the castle itself if you plan to go inside, where the collections include tapestries and fine art brought by May Goelet, the American heiress who married the 8th Duke. Combine house, walled garden and grounds and it makes a full day out. The town of Kelso, with its abbey ruins, is close by for lunch or a stroll, and the wider Tweed valley is good touring country. The plant centre is a handy place to pick up something to take home as a reminder of the visit.
What to see
- The walled garden, with its plant centre and café.
- The setting on terraces above the River Tweed, with views to the Cheviot Hills.
- Grounds listed on Scotland's Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes.
- William Playfair's turreted castle, seen across the parkland.
- The view across the river to the site of medieval Roxburgh Castle.
Floors Castle through the year
- spring
- Spring brings fresh growth in the walled garden and new stock in the plant centre.
- summer
- Summer is the main season for visiting the castle and enjoying the walled garden and riverside grounds.
- autumn
- Autumn brings colour to the parkland trees along the Tweed.
- winter
- The castle closes for the winter season, though the walled garden area has traditionally stayed open; check the official site for current arrangements.
The story behind the garden
The lands of Floors were held by the monks of Kelso Abbey until the Reformation, when King James VI gave them to Robert Ker of Cessford, later the first Earl of Roxburghe. John Ker, created 1st Duke of Roxburghe for his part in the Union of 1707, commissioned William Adam to build a plain Georgian house between 1721 and 1726.
Between 1837 and 1847 the 6th Duke had William Henry Playfair remodel it into the romantic, turreted building seen today. In 1903 the 8th Duke married May Goelet, whose tapestries and art collection were displayed in rooms refitted in the 1930s. The castle remains a family home, is category A listed and opens to visitors.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Visitors combining a stately home with a plant centre stop, and anyone exploring Kelso and the Tweed valley.
- Getting there
- Floors Castle stands just outside Kelso in the Scottish Borders, on the bank of the River Tweed.
- Before you go
- Decide before you go whether you want the full castle visit or just the grounds and walled garden, as tickets differ. Check the Floors Castle website for current opening times and prices.
Source: Wikipedia: Floors Castle
Questions about visiting Floors Castle
Is Floors Castle a real castle?
Despite the name, Floors is a country house rather than a fortress. William Adam built it in the 1720s, and William Playfair added the turrets and battlements in the 19th century to give it its fairytale castle look.
Who lives at Floors Castle?
Floors Castle is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe and remains a family home. It has been home to the family since it was built for the 1st Duke in 1721, and parts are opened to visitors.
Is there a plant centre at Floors Castle?
Yes, the walled garden has long housed a plant centre selling trees, shrubs, perennials, alpines and fruit trees, alongside a café. Check the official site for what is currently open.
How long do you need at Floors Castle?
Allow one to two hours to tour the castle itself, plus extra time for the walled garden and the grounds by the River Tweed. A combined visit can easily fill most of a day.
Garden features
Location
Floors Castle, Kelso, Roxburghshire, TD5 7SF
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