Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
Queens Head - 17.8 Miles (28.5 KM)
The Queens Head in Rothbury has a traditional bar and restaurant offering a choice of bar snacks or full restaurant menu. The village is surrounded by some of the finest scenery in Northumberland.
Serving fine fresh food seven days a week, from pensioners' lunches to traditional Sunday carvery. There's a fine selection of wines and beers, too.
Marmions Brasserie, located in the lovely town of Melrose, offers a warm and friendly welcome whether it be for breakfast, lunch or that romantic evening meal for two.
This welcoming country inn is well-known locally for its good food and warm hospitality. It is perfectly situated for walkers enjoying the ""St Cuthbert's Way"" national trail, which runs between Melrose and the magical island of Lindisfarne.
Fun Days Out
As well as being voted the country's most tranquil spot, this park is truly is a haven for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Whatever the weather, you can have a great day out at Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre. There's lots of events, children's activities, exhibitions and walks for all the family. And the biggest play park in the Borders!
This 15? gauge steam railway runs over 2 miles from Heatherslaw to Etal Village - a return journey of 50 minutes.
Beach
No recommended Beach found within 30 miles of this property.
Biking & Hiking
Whitton Hillhead Walk - 11.2 Miles (17.9 KM)
This is a nice gentle walk that climbs up to 212 metres at Whitton Hillhead where you can experience stunning views of the Simonside Hills.
Cragside Carriageway Walk - 11.2 Miles (17.9 KM)
A beautiful walk with impressive and dramatic views of Rothbury. The route takes the walker along the old carriageway of Cragside Estate.
A circular trail at the heart of the Scottish Borders passes by four 12th century abbeys and through several border towns. The 64.5 mile walk is split into 5 sections of roughly equal distances.
A long distance trek at 62.5 miles. The route takes you across the Scottish Borders all the way to the Northumberland coast. Begin at Melrose, where St. Cuthbert began his early work and finish at the holy site of Lindisfarne where he completed his later works and died. Lindisfarne is a fascinating destination as it is where the first Vikings first landed in 793AD and is steeped in history. Along the way there are links with the famous, Sir Walter Scott Way, the Roman Heritage Way and the Pennine Way.
This 268 mile walk runs from the Peak District National Park along the Pennine Ridge, through the Yorkshire Dales and into Northumberland to finish at Kirk Yetholm.
Rothbury Town Walk - 17.8 Miles (28.5 KM)
A short 2 mile walk around Rothbury, going past local points of interest and giving you a small amount of history about the town. Walk time of approximately 1 hour.
A great biking centre for families, novices and those who enjoy a challenge, it has a short red route, two blue routes and a skills loop to learn some of the basics. There's also a black graded ridge just for experts. One hour's drive from Glentress and Innerleithen.
Abernethy Glen - 21.5 Miles (34.4 KM)
A great walk from the heart of Abernethy. Start at one of the last remaining Irish celtic towers in Scotland. There is a fantastic view from the top and Abernethy Museum, down the road offers a vast collection of exhibits about the local history. Enjoy a cuppa at the tea room and then follow the circular route to Craigden and back.
A gentle 2 mile walk through some lovely farmland, past the beautiful St Mary?s Magdalene Church and the impressive 5-sided keep in Mitford Castle.
Golf & Sports
Clay pigeon shooting for all ages in a carefully controlled environment with fully qualified instructors, where safety is of the utmost importance.
This course is situated in the heart of the Scottish Borders amidst rolling hills and breathtaking scenery. It offers members and visitors of all abilities an enjoyable round of golf over a challenging layout.
This community 25m swimming pool offers a range of facilities including a steam room, fitness suite, café and soft play area for under 5'. There's also general fun sessions for all the family.
If you like a challenge or want to try something new, then archery is the sport for you. They cater for all ages and abilities and offer courses to suit your needs. All sessions are led by qualified instructors registered with the Grand National Archery Society.
You'll get an entirely different and exhilarating perspective of the glorious rolling hills of the Scottish Borders and limitless beauty of the Northumberland National Park and unspoilt coastline as you glide slowly through the sky.
A splendid 18-hole golf course set in undulating parkland with fine views over the Tyne Valley.
Shipley Lane has great facilities, and whether you are a child or adult, complete beginner of the most experienced rider, you'll find Shipley friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
Offering adrenaline fuelled outdoor adventure across the board, including abseiling, climbing, kayaking and canoeing.
Nature Reserves
Working farm in beautiful countryside with a huge range of attractions including rare breeds of farm animals and deer herds, Ranger led activities and nature walks, indoor/outdoor play areas, Bird of prey demonstrations and tuition, and much, much more.
Discover Iron Age remains, 5000 year old cairns and the wonder of one of the largest forests in Britain. This beautiful place is perfect to explore however you choose, be it on horse back, on a mountain bike or on a leisurely stroll.
Watch salmon live via underwater cameras on the large plasma screen and see them leaping at the cauld on their migration journey, depending on river levels. Stop by The Waterwheel restaurant for some delicious home baking.
Take a stroll around this beautiful forest and perhaps enjoy the Waterfall Walk. Discover local Roman history and use the hide to spot red squirrels and a wide variety of birds.
Yair Forest - 27.4 Miles (43.8 KM)
Forestry Commission mixed conifer woodland with a variety of waymarked routes to help you enjoy your forests.
Gardens & Woodlands
Positioned as a series of terraces, these beautiful gardens are a tranquil place to visit and relax in. Stunning water features provide a mirror to the gardens and are set amongst Rodgersias, Rheums and Bamboo to name but a few.
Encompassing over 30 acres, these lovely gardens include immaculate lawns, woodland and meet the flood plain of the River Teviot at the far end of their reach. Many distinct gardens join together in the original section to ensure there is always something of interest in bloom all year round. A wonderful place to explore with all the family.
Take a stroll around one of the many tree lined walks, admire the beautiful formal gardens, visit the museum and sit near the waterfall soaking up the scenery. Keep your eyes peeled for narcissi and daffodils.
Some lovely glasshouse displays and herbaceous borders to admire, whilst you soak up the lovely atmosphere of these walled gardens. Located in Hawick, a multiple winner of 'Scotland in Bloom', these gardens have proved a hugely important factor in the award.
Hirsel Estate offers something for ornithologist, botanist, forester, zoologist, archaeologist and historian alike. Homestead museum shows the estate's past and present. There are craft units and a geogems display as well as a tearoom and children's playground.
At one time part of the Abbey grounds, these lovely gardens were a gift for the Kelso War Memorial from the Duke of Roxburgh in 1921. The gardens are now an enchanting place to visit in spring and summer. Take a seat and unwind and enjoy their splendour and the views of Kelso Abbey.
Encompassing 26 acres of garden, this varied garden is a great place to relax, unwind and while away the hours in. Admire the kitchen garden, feature specimen trees, azaleas and fascinating Arboretum.
Soak up the stunning scenery at Scott's View; so called after Sir Walter Scott as it was one of his favourite vistas. It was reported that he visited the spot so often that his horses stopped without command. Admire as he once did the peaks of Eildon Hill, the gently sloping countryside and the meandering River Tweed.
Bolam Lake - 23.2 Miles (37.1 KM)
Set at the very heart of the beautiful Northumberland countryside, this lake is surrounded on all sides by sites of historic importance and stunning views. Explore the woodland and grassed areas in the vicinity.
Set in the centre of Coldstream, these gardens attract visitors and locals to their viewpoint over the River Tweed, Cheviot Hills and the surrounding countryside. At the viewpoint stands a stone monument to the Coldstream Guard.
A delightfully tranquil walled garden comprising of lawns, herbaceous and mixed borders, vegetable and fruit areas, and a rich display of spring bulbs. The garden is set around an early 19th-century house which unfortunately is not open to the public.
Whalton Manor Gardens are private gardens that comprise of three acres and are located in the charming village of Whalton in the heart of Northumberland. The gardens date to the 17th century and have been lovingly restored, they are absolutely stunning and are brimming with colourful and aromas, it has some fantastic planting being designed by Lutyens with assistance from Gertrude Jekyll as well as having impressive architectural structures, like the Italianate summerhouse. Other areas of interest are the magnificent walled garden, a large stone paved courtyard, summerhouses, pergolas, a rose garden and stunning herbaceous borders. The gardens are open from April through to October, appointments must be made in advance as they are not open to the public, details are on the website. A tour will take about an hour to an hour and a half and they can be adapted to cater to your requirements, you will be advised on the creation and upkeep of these beautiful gardens, the tours are informative and interesting, the owner Penny is so passionate. Afterwards you can enjoy a delicious wholesome home-cooked lunch or cream tea in the lovely surroundings of the garden. You can purchase a selection of perennial plants, that are grown here. During the year they organise a number of events to showcase the beauty of the gardens with Open days and also productions of Shakespeare's plays are shown. Whalton Manor Gardens are a real treasure and a must if you are an ardent garden lover, or if you just enjoy the beauty of flowers and plants.
An important feature of the town of Galashiels, the gardens were first planted after World War Two and have brought visitors to the area ever since.
Among its many delights, Alnwick Garden is home to one of the world's largest wooden tree houses, with walkways in the sky, rope bridges and a fantastic place to eat in the treetops.
Local Attractions
The finest quality knitwear is available at The Mill Shop, and at The Hawick Cashmere Visitor Centre you can watch Shima Whole garment machines at work and browse round the extensive range of knitwear.
Inside a stunning early 19th century seed merchants' warehouse, work previously exhibited only in Edinburgh or London hangs next to well known local artists such as Linda Hatrick and Tom Bromley. There's also a spectacular display of ceramics by John Marjoribanks Edgerton.
A specialist garden where plants gown are selected for their suitability for drying. The colourful and imaginative selection ensures variety for the dried flower arrangements made on the premises and provides material for courses held here on the ancient craft of drying flowers.
This small family owned museum is located in the last surviving genuine daylight photographic premises in the UK. Original photographic artefacts and equipment are on display and the building houses a vast archive of glass and film negatives dating from 1860.
Lochcarron specialise in cashmere, woven and knitted goods. The company is family owned and have been producing Scottish designs in Scotland since 1947. They are the world leader in tartan manufacturing, with over 700 in stock. Clients include Sean Connery and Shrek!
Come and see the production of a range of stunning stemware, vases and bowls at Scotland's leading studio glass workshop. Second shop and showroom open.
Whitehouse Farm Centre is located close to Morpeth and is a a family run Farm that extends to more than forty acres. It is a real hands on attraction, you get to see, hold and feed a diverse range of animals from domestic pets to more unusual and exotic species. There is always something happening to keep everyone entertained, from talks to feeding the animals. There are also indoor and outdoor play areas, with trampolines, bouncy castles and slides. You can also take a tractor ride, or have a go on the indoor racing cars. Nelsons Pig Trough cafe is warm and welcoming and serves a nice selection of home cooked breakfasts, lunches and light snacks that are tasty and well priced. There are also lots of picnic areas if you want to take along your own food. The Gift Shop has a large selection of gifts for all ages, they are not too expensive and there is something to suit every pocket. They are open daily from April through to August and at other times it is mainly just weekends, the website has full details. The staff are lovely, really friendly and helpful. The whole place is clean and well maintained and the facilities are excellent, the animals are well cared for and look very healthy. Whitehouse Farm Centre is a brilliant day out for all the family and has lots of activities to keep everyone entertained, it has great facilities and is excellent value for money too.
Historical & Heritage Sites
One of the border abbeys, founded by David I around 1138 for Augustinian canons. The church is built in the Romanesque and early Gothic styles and is remarkably complete. Finds from the excavations of the cloister buildings are on display. (Limited wheelchair access)
Built in 1820 Jedburgh Castle Jail is an important example of Howard Reform Prison architecture. Displays explore the development of the Jail and what it would have been like to be a prisoner and a guard.
Set in peaceful and scenic gardens, the house tells the story of the life of the tragic Queen, who herself visited Jedburgh in 1556, staying in this Bastille House. A good range of souvenirs and books are for sale and audio tours are available.
This great heritage centre is located on the former Waverley railway route at the half way point between Hawick and Newcastleton. Learn about the history of the railway and its local area. The centre is also part of the Waverley Walk, a great route for hikers or cyclists alike.
A vast and eerie ruin of the 14th and 15th centuries, associated with the de Soulis, the Douglases and Mary Queen of Scots, it was partly restored in the 19th century. Nearby is the 14th-century Hermitage Chapel.
A great little local museum with an excellent railway memorabilia collection and other interesting artefacts.
Built as a Peel Tower House and home of the Douglas family, and later the home of Anne, Duchess of Monmouth, and still later the Tower Hotel, the premises now house exhibits showing the history of Hawick and the Tower through the ages.
Craigside House and Gardens are unique in that it was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. It enjoys an enviable elevated location close to the village of Morpeth in the stunning countryside of Northumberland. This beautiful historic house was renovated by Lord Armstrong a Victorian inventor and landscape genius, it was a phenomenon of its time having a number of creative and innovative gadgets with many of them still working today. The interior is luxurious and has many original features, stunning intricate plaster work furnishings and furniture, the craftsmanship is superb. The gardens are equally amazing, they are home to one of the biggest rock gardens in Europe that takes you down to the Iron Bridge, this then takes you to the formal garden, there are also woodlands, a river and lake. For children there is an adventure play area and also Nelly's Labyrinth to explore. There are a number of paths and tunnels carved out of a large expanse of rhododendron forest. You can either walk around the grounds or drive your car around the six mile estate drive, or take the shuttle bus. The house and gardens are open from February through November and are open everyday except Mondays, there is a charge for entry and this depends on the time of year you visit. The tea rooms are welcoming and comfortable and offer a nice selection of lunches and snacks sourced from local suppliers. Throughout the year a number of events and activities take place that are entertaining and will appeal to everyone. Craigside House is a truly fabulous house in a fantastic location with stunning grounds, beautiful views and loads of history, there is something to appeal to everyone, a must see if you are in Northumberland.
Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland, is home to the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe and their family. Overlooking the River Tweed and Cheviot Hills, it was designed in 1721 by William Adam, who was both master-builder and architect for the first Duke.(Dogs on leads welcome in the grounds)
Although now ruined, Dryburgh is still a remarkable Border Abbey. This lovely setting is also the final resting place of Field Marshall Douglas Haig and Sir Walter Scott.
Sited high on a rocky outcrop, Smailholm is a small rectangular tower set within a stone barmkin wall. Inside the tower is a charming collection of costume figures and tapestries relating to Sir Walter Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders.
A local history museum with a section on the Coldstream Guards, a temporary exhibitions gallery, children's corner and courtyard with fountain and picnic area.
Probably the most famous ruin in Scotland, the abbey was founded by David I in 1136 and largely destroyed by Richard II's English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are largely of the early 15th century, and are of an elegance unsurpassed in Scotland.
A superb Georgian house designed by William and Robert Adam with exquisite plaster ceilings, fine period furniture and marvellous art collection including work by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Ramsay, Aitken and Nasmyth. Courtyard tea-room and gift shop; extensive grounds.
Heatherslaw Mill is a 19th century water-powered corn mill situated on the Ford and Etal Estate. Still producing wholemeal flour from locally grown wheat, the water wheel, mill stones and gearing are all on show, giving a fascinating insight into days gone by. The freshly milled flour can be purchased from the gift shop along with other country fare.
Hume Castle - 24.7 Miles (39.5 KM)
A 13th century castle with superb views. Once one of the most formidable castle fortresses on the eastern Borders, it played a significant role in British history. The last battle it faced was during the Civil War, when Cromwell's well equipped army destroyed the castle with explosives.
Displays recreate the building's former role as a home and ironmonger's shop while the story of the Royal Burgh of Selkirk is told in the upstairs galleries. The Robson Gallery hosts an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.
Dating from 1803, this former Town House and Sheriff Court is where Sir Walter Scott sat as Sheriff of Selkirkshire until 1832. Visitor centre, audio visual and small sales point.
Abbotsford - 25.7 Miles (41.1 KM)
The home of Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist and poet, author of Waverley, Ivanhoe and Lady of the Lake to name a few. When Scott purchased Cartleyhole Farmhouse and Steading on the banks of the River Tweed near Melrose he renamed it Abbotsford and built the house you can see today.
There is so much to see and do at this early 19th century house in beautiful countryside: outstanding collection of paintings, superb silverware, porcelain and French furniture, restored Victorian kitchen, and children's and family activities, to name but a few.
This beautiful castle will never fail to take your breath away. Packed full of history and used as a location for many favourite films such as Harry Potter and Elizabeth you will be sure of a fabulous time. Take a guided tour and learn about medieval life and keep your eyes out for the brilliant events always on offer.
Dating from 1583, the former home of the Lairds of Galashiels is now an interpretive centre with displays and changing exhibitions, family history, tearoom and a garden. Audio tours are also available and their are children's activities during school holidays.
