I was raised in the nearby town of Duns, although now live overseas in the beautiful British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. I bought Old Templars as I wanted to have a bolthole to return to. I have always loved this area, and I can honestly say that the beaches in this area rival those in the BVI even if the temperature is a little cooler. As I live away, my parents, John and Christine do the hard work of managing the property for me. They live a few miles away and have a number of other holiday cottages in the area. They've been owning and managing hotels, pubs and now holiday cottages for over 30 years. They're real professionals in this field and really understand how to make sure our guests have an amazing trip. So many of our guests return year after year, as testament to that.

Old Templars is a converted Masonic hall, it is a characterful stone-built building which has been sympathetically converted into apartments. Inside the property has been furnished to a high standard with all the touches from home you'd expect: WiFi, smart TV, dishwasher, washing machine, pillow top bed, power shower, central heating, double-glazing etc. For those less able, Old Templars is a good choice being on the ground floor with one small step for entry and the beach itself has a modern promenade for gentle stroll. There's a lovely little private garden to enjoy and plenty of secure storage for those travelling with bicycles. The immediate vicinity is quiet and residential and extremely safe. There's plenty of free on-street parking immediately outside. Within a couple of minutes walks there are traditional and friendly pubs to enjoy as well as a small local shop for buying essential items. A car is useful to explore but really not essential as there is an excellent local bus service for getting around and local taxis are very cheap. Berwick enjoys a fantastic rail service and we do our best to collect guests from the station where possible, free of charge.

Old Templars is just a few short steps from the wonderful beach at Spittal. Those in search of an old fashioned bucket and spade holiday, fish and chips and beach combing will love it. Our furry friends love it too: this is a dog-friendly beach with plenty of space for your pooch to run around and chase sticks. Spittal / Berwick upon Tweed is a real hidden gem: with lots of winding lanes and hidden alleyways to explore. The beautiful Elizabethan era town walls afford spectacular views across the Tweed estuary and beyond. Berwick has retained its character and there are plenty of unique shops, cafes and restaurants to enjoy. With a bustling arts scene, centred around The Maltings, so there is plenty to see and do. A little further afield is the wonderful north Northumberland coast: Seahouses, the Farne Islands, Bamburgh Castle and of course Holy Island/Lindisfarne. To the south, the Berwickshire coast is stunning and offers the opportunity to surf and scuba dive in some of the best conditions the UK can offer. Edinburgh and Newcastle are easily accessible by road, or let the train take the strain: both are well under an hour from Berwick direct.