
Henderson Park.
Like everything from my childhood, I remember Henderson Park being bigger. Coldstream was a regular family holiday destination and stopping off point on our way further North to Edinburgh and the Highlands, because I have a family connection to this Scottish Boarder town, but due to changes in circumstance I had more than a ten year break between this visit and the one before. My sister and I walked from our Aunties’ house at the end of the Town and we walked down the High Street subconsciously heading towards Henderson Park.

Coldstream Guards monument.
The Scottish Boarders Council website informs me that the park was formally the tennis court of a Dr. Henderson, which I didn’t know until today, so that should give you an idea of the size of it. Much like most gardens in the UK it has its well tended lawn in the centre with flower beds around it and monumental stone on end as a focal point. The thing that indicates is a public park is the path that allows you to walk around without ruining the precious turf (I’m not sure if you’re allowed to walk on the grass, but we never have).
The stone monument at the far end of the park celebrates Coldstreams connection with the Coldstream Guards, one of the finest regiments in the British Army (although I am incredibly biased; Her Majesty The Queen does have four other Foot Guard regiments whose member might have something to say about that). It was from Coldstream that General George Monck marched the first Coldstreamers across the boarder into England in 1660 in order to restore the Stuart monarchy.
But the highlight of Henderson Park is the view from behind the monument:



That isthe River Tweed and Northumberland on the far bank. Beautiful isn’t it?