Cool Place of the Day: Aikwood Tower, Scottish Borders

Every day, a new place to discover or explore from coolplaces.co.uk

Stay in your very own castle in this 16th century tower

Just 40 miles south of Edinburgh, this Borders bolthole is laced with a rich heritage and a slew of modern luxuries.

A 16th century tower presiding on a hill amid some spectacular Borders scenery, it has five large very comfortable bedrooms kitted out with taste and contemporary style, several bathrooms (some with stand-alone baths), a fully-fitted kitchen with an Aga and a large, custom-made oak dining table (“Aikwood” means oak), free wi-fi and more.

It was formerly the home of the Liberal politician Lord Steel of Aikwood, who restored it in the 1990s and won a number of architectural awards. Now under the stewardship of his son Rory, it couldn’t be more peaceful and is the perfect place from which to explore the gorgeous Borders countryside. There’s lots to do nearby – walking in the nearby Ettrick Valley and Forest, mountain-biking at the Glentress Forest centre, half an hour away, or visiting the market town of Selkirk just minutes away. Or you may just want to gather around the open log fire in the glorious main hall, play ping pong in the lower hall, or curl up with a political biography in Lord Steel’s old library.

There is always someone around if you need them, and they will hire in a whole host of caterers to take care of you if that’s what you’re after. But if you’re just after peace and quiet, in a good-sized self-catering property with bags of character in the midst of some beautiful countryside, then Aikwood Tower is perfect even without these trimmings. And who could resist the chance to stay in your very own castle?

Cool Places is a website from the creators of Rough Guides and Cool Camping, suggesting the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop in Britain (coolplaces.co.uk)