Fenton Tower

Fenton Tower is a fortified 16th-century tower, sitting in beautiful North Berwick countryside, just 20 miles east of Edinburgh.

To those not in the know, this hardy, staunch tower’s sole purpose would appear to be to hold a small militia to guard the ancient hills on which it sits.

In centuries gone by, this would’ve been a fair assessment. Today, however, the luxury interior is Fenton Tower’s best-kept secret, where behind its dense wooden doors is the perfect combination of beautiful historic features and five-star facilities.

Fenton Tower is available for exclusive use, with the experienced management team on hand to tailor your stay to meet your exact requirements.

Inside

Fenton Tower can sleep a total of 12 guests in 7 rooms, with a further 4 rooms sleeping up to 8 in the 2 adjacent cottages. All bedrooms are individually styled, adding to that “home-from-home” feel that Fenton just oozes.

The Great Hall, Library and Grand Dining Room

Fenton’s Great Hall is perfect for anything from cosy family nights in, to grand clan meetings. The large roaring fireplace and plush sofas create an enchanting contrast to the towering ceilings and suits of armour. The adjoining library offers a secluded, quiet spot for relaxing with a book or a game of chess.

The Grand Dining Room is a deep, vaulted chamber on the ground floor. The sturdy walnut table is surrounded by seats draped in tartan and makes an ideal setting for everything from a celebratory feast to an intimate dinner with friends.

Carmichael

From this nest you can survey the North, East and South, all from the comfort of an Italian silver-gilt double frame bed. Your free-standing bath and walk-in shower only serve to increase the comfort of your stay.

Seton

A cosy twin room tucked away at the top of its own spiral staircase.

Ruthven

This suite plays host to one of the tower's most popular castle beds; an unusual provincial half-tester king size bed. Ample dressing room storage, a writing table and an original Doulton of Paisley canopy bath make this room a tough one to leave.

Erskine

The luxury continues as you climb the stairs, as a plush double bed, double redassier seat and a TV discreetly hidden in an 18th-century linen press make this suite a truly delightful room to occupy. However, the favourite feature has to be the antique French copper bath. As pleasing to look at as it is to bathe in, when you see this bath in person, you’ll have to stop yourself from jumping straight in!

Stewart

This is another room that enjoys brilliant views to the North, East and South. Like the rest of the castle, this room's chief quality is comfort. Antique furniture and the original French double basin emphasise that home-from-home feel.

Garret

The final room atop the tower is a cosy suite that can be configured as a double or a twin. The private sitting area and en-suite bathroom are beautifully appointed, but this room’s best feature is its access to the battlements. Whenever we find ourselves in Fenton Tower, a highlight is always taking time to relax on the battlements and take in the commanding views over the Lammermuir Hills.

Sydserff

Sydserff is situated on a mezzanine level between the Great Hall and Ruthven Suite, offering a bright, comfortable and quiet single room with triple aspect views.

Fenton Tower photography by Simon Hird

Fenton Lodge

Alongside the tower is Fenton Lodge. A recent addition, this lodge can sleep a further four guests to the main tower in two rooms. Available for individual booking or in conjunction with the rest of the tower, taking the total number of guests to 16.

1/5

Fenton Lodge 1

PrevNext

Hillside Cottage

Hillside Cottage blends seamlessly into the hillside north of Fenton Tower with stunning views south toward the Lammermuir Hills. Inside, the spacious living area includes a well-equipped kitchen, dining table, and seating with terrace and lawn views. Two en-suite super-king bedrooms, both with flexible zip-and-link beds, offer countryside views from comfortable window seats. The East bedroom has an en-suite bath with an over-bath shower, while the West features a large walk-in shower.

1/6

Hillside Cottage 1

PrevNext

Dining

Like the rest of your Fenton experience, dining can be tailored entirely to suit you. When hired for exclusive use, you can arrange to have as many or as few meals as you like. All meals are made using fresh local produce, and some examples of dishes would be; smoked trout with an avocado and tomato compote; fillet of Scottish beef glazed with mushrooms and burgundy sauce; rolled berry and rosewater pavlova. All dietary requirements can be accommodated.

History

When you get there, you’ll see why the site of Fenton Tower was chosen for a fortification. It affords views in every direction to provide early warning of an attack. There has been a fortified tower on this site since the 11th century.

In 1591, James VI (later James I of England), after escaping from a rebel army in Fife, sheltered within the very walls that you now sit behind with your slippers on.

Years later in 1650, forces under the command of Oliver Cromwell sacked the castle, leaving it in a ruinous state until restoration work began in the 1990s, creating the castle that is yours to stay in today.

Leisure

Golf

If golf is your sport of choice, you’ll struggle to find a better-placed castle than Fenton Tower. Known as Scotland’s “golf coast”, the tower is a stone's throw from many famous golf courses; Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane to name a few. The management has lots of local contacts and can work with you to arrange bespoke golf tours in the area.

Edinburgh

Fenton Tower sits 45 minutes away from Edinburgh by car, making it the perfect retreat after a hectic day taking in the city’s culture and buzz, especially during the Edinburgh Festival in August.

Shooting

Upon request, shooting parties can be organised for up to eight guns on the nearby Fenton Brunt Estate (20 minutes away). Excellent pheasant and partridge on offer.

Fishing

Fly-fishing can be organised on local rivers and lochs, including excellent salmon fishing on the River Tweed.

Walking

The John Muir Way, which runs from West Coast to East Coast, passes close by Fenton Tower, while the East Lothian Coast itself provides stunning views.

Other nearby locations of interest include:

Bird watcher's heaven at the Bass Rock Seabird Centre.

Horse racing at Musselburgh.

Boat and fishing trips from North Berwick.

The Museum of Flight at East Fortune holds an annual Festival of Flight.

Myreton Motor Museum.

Prices