Coldstream lies on the north bank of the River Tweed in Berwickshire, while Northumberland in England lies to the south bank. This stretch of the Tweed has formed the border between England and Scotland for almost a thousand years, and for the first half of that period, the two nations were often at war. Once a rival to Gretna for runaway marriages, the town is well-known as the birthplace of the Coldstream Guards, a regiment in the British Army. Notable buildings in the town include the Toll House where marriages were conducted, and The Hirsel, which is the family seat of the Earls of Home.
The High Street has some very attractive buildings. Coldstream has a splendid museum in the Market Square. The museum hosts the Coldstream Guards exhibition, local history and other special exhibitions. Henderson Park provides magnificent views over a loop in the river, which extends to Coldstream Bridge to the east. From here, it is possible to descend to the Nuns Walk, a path along the bank of the Tweed. Each year, during the first week of August, Coldstream hosts a traditional Civic Week. For visitors wanting to see what border life is like, then this event is well worth a visit.
