Next to each recommendation we have listed a journey time – please note this is approximate!
WALKING
Lake / Bonchester Hill / Farm (on our doorstep!) There are many amazing walks on the door step. Within each property we provide a map with the walks we recommend – suiting all abilities.
Ruberslaw - at 424m this iconic hill offers panoramic views into England, The Moffat Hills, The Eildons with Edinburgh in the distance. We recommend you take the 5 minute drive to the bottom of Ruberslaw before commencing your climb, it isn’t a tough walk but not suitable for the real littles.
Borders Abbey Way – a circular route taking in the main borders towns.
Fat Lips Castle (15mins)– Fatlips, a recently restored hunting lodge, sits high on the rocky crags, overlooking where the Teviot River merges with Rulewater, with panoramic views across to the Eildon hills, the English Border, and beyond. It’s a lovely realtively easy walk (my 3yo can just about walk up and down at a leisurely pace) Head to the Cream Puff for a hot chocolate and cake after your walk .
Walk Scottish Borders is a great website to browse and find walks to suit.
CYCLING
The Scottish Borders has become one of the most well known cycling destinations in the UK and now hosts the annual ‘Tour Of The Borders’ cycling event that takes place in September.
Here are a few areas / routes / websites popular with local and touring cyclists
Kielder (35mins) – An extensive network of off-road tracks just perfect for all family members. Kielder Bike Hire - Leisure, hybrid and full range of mtb’s to match your cycling desire and budget. For more info 01434 250 457 or www.thebikeplace.co.uk
Glentress (1hr) - Glentress Forest is a mountain biking Mecca deep in the heart of the stunning Tweed Valley. The biking experience here includes Green, Blue, Red or Black graded trails, as well as a magnificent multi-graded free-ride area. At Glentress you will find bike hire, guiding and tuition.
Cycle Scottish Borders
Just Cycle Tweedbank
Tweed Valley Guides offer full and half day guiding with an experienced team.
WILD SWIMMING
The lake at Gatehousecote is a great place to swim. Just ask Philippa / Katie for advice! This is all at your own risk and should not be done alone. There is a facebook group called ‘Wild Swimming Borders’ which is a great place to ask locals on the best wild swimming spot around.
FISHING SHOOTING/ HUNTING
Fly fishing on the famous River Tweed or the River Teviot.
Clerklands Loch (25mins) A fun trout fishing loch Clerklands.
Kielder Water (35mins) Kielder Water is Northumbrian Water’s boat fishery and with over 2,000 acres of water to explore, you can try a different spot every time you fish.
Fishing Lessons – Charles Brownlow, Denholm
Rule Valley Simulated Game (15mins) - A day at Rule Valley offers all the experience of a traditional driven game shoot, but substitutes the game birds for clays. You will have an actioned packed day with every gun having the chance to shoot at thousands of clays, with guaranteed smoking barrels!
Bisley at Braidwood – Clay Pidgeon Shooting.
Trail Hunting – The properties are located in the heart of the Jedforest Country, however within a 1hr15min drive you can reach the following packs - Duke of Buccleuch Foxhounds, Lauderdale, Border, College Valley North Northumberland, Liddlesdale, Tynedale, Hayden, Braes of Derwent, Berwickshire. We would be more than happy to help you organise a day’s Hunting. Lesley Douglas lives locally and provides the very best hirelings for all riding capabilities.
GOLF
Minto Golf Club (15mins)
Jedburgh Golf Club (15mins)
Hawick Golf Club (15mins)
Roxburghe (Championship course) (25mins)
Lilliardsedge Golf Course (25mins)
We are about 1hr30 from the famous links course of North Berwick, Archerfield and Muirfield.
FAMILY ACTIVITES
Harestanes (20mins) - play park, café and stunning walks throughout the Teviot Valley.
Kielder Water & Forest Park (35mins) has a huge offering for all family members. Walks, Fishing, Horse Riding, Water Activites, Kielder Observatiory, Birds of Prey, Swimming Pool, Crazy Golf, Go Karting and fantastic café and restaurant.
Beirhope Alpacas (25mins) – Meet and walk with Alpacas in the Cheviot Hills.
Born in the Borders (15mins), Grass Sledging, Brewery, Fishing, Walks, farm shop and lovely cafe.
Teviot Leisure Centre, Hawick (15mins) – Swimming Pool, Gym, Café and Indoor Soft Play area. Perfect for rainy days!
Laidlaw Memorial Swimming Pool, Jedburgh (15mins)
Jedburgh Castle, Jail and Mary Queens of Scots Visitor Centre (15mins)
Donkey Sanctuary, St Boswells, (25mins) Meet and the feed the over 100 donkey and other animal residents.
Alnwick Castle (1h15mins) one of Britains most iconic castles, also known as Hogwarts to Harry Potter Fans.
Hadrians Wall (1hr) – needs no introduction!
Go Ape, Glentress (1 hour)
Northumberland Coast. An abundance of stunning protected coastline (1hr15).
Wilton Lodge Playpark and PumpTrack, Hawick (15mins) A newly built play park suitable for all ages. In 2020 a Pump track was added – this is great for the advanced cyclists and those learning how to use a balance bike alike.
Floors Castle & Gardens (30 mins)– The Largest inhabited Castle in Scotland. Breathtaking gardens, adventure playground, walking and biking tracks around the estate. The Terrace Garden Café is a must for lunch!
Bowhill House (30mins). A majestic house steeped in history. Full house tours of history and art, adventure playground, walks and hikes – a great family day out. Plenty of events most weekends – check out the website for more info.
Abbotsford House (35mins), the home of Walter Scott Abbotsford is the extraordinary home of the 19th century novelist and ‘Great Scott’ who popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote and rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels.
Melrose (30mins) a picturesque town in the heart of the Borders. Lovely shops, cafes and a partically ruined abbey steeped in history.
Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Shop & Café, Hawick (15mins) The very best cashmere! Lovely café to grab a coffee after a shop / browse.
Ian Stark Equestrian Centre – Lessons and Treks for all abilities and ages.
Heart of Hawick – super little cinema, café and restaurant. Don’t forget to take your beer and wine, you are allowed to take them into the cinema!
Edinburgh – we highly recommend a day trip to Scotland’s capital. The easiest option travel wise is to hop of a train at Tweedbank, Galashiels (free parking) and enjoy the stunning 50 minutes train journey into Edinburgh Waverley, bang in the centre of the city. Once in the city there are so many things to do – explore Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, theatres, many shops / cafes and restaurants. During the month of August the Fringe festival Home | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com) is in full swing and if you are organised enough book tickets for the Military Tattoo The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (edintattoo.co.uk)
PLACES TO EAT
Horse and House Country Inn, Bonchester Bridge (5 mins). Great pub for traditional pub food.
The Auld Cross Keys, Denholm (15mins) a lovely friendly village pub Home.
Denholm Meet (15mins) Friendly small Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere and delicious food.
The Capon Tree, Jedburgh (15mins) Fine dining at its best, one for the grown ups!
Santa Marina, Hawick (15mins), a great family fun Italian restaurant.
Border Meringues Café, Jedburgh (15mins) Doesn’t impress from the outside, but the cake selection is out of this world! A great offering for a family lunch. In normal times has a soft play corner for the children so adults can have a coffee in piece!
Cream Puff, Hawick (15mins) Enjoy a coffee and cake overlooking the green. Ideal stop off on the way back from Minto Golf Club or a walk up fat lips castle.
The Buccleuch Arms, St Boswells (30mins) A brilliant pub / restaurant with a varity of different menus. Our personal favourites in the Blue Coo Burgers!
Main Street Trading, St Boswells (30mins) Not only is this a wonderful book shop it also has a lovely café and amazing deli / gift shop.
The Caddy Mann, Mount Hooley (20mins). A must visit for those that like something a little different – although there are always those safe bet options on the menu.
Hunter Stables, St Boswells. A fun family restaurant with a wood fired pizza oven.
Takeaways, due to our location most takeaways offer pick up only– Abbey View Fish and Chips, Jedburgh. The Bamboo Box, Hawick, Denholm Meet takeaway Pizzas, Denholm.
DISTILLERIES
Born In The Borders & Brewery - bornintheborders.com
The Borders Distillery® opened in March 2018 – the first Scotch Whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837. We’re dedicated to capturing the true spirit of the Borders, and bringing whisky-making back to the region. Offering tours and tasting. thebordersdistillery.com
LOCAL SHOPS / SUPERMARKETS
Hawick – Lidl, Aldi, Sainsburies, Morrisons. Robert Pringle Butchers on the High Street
Denholm Butchers
Jedburgh – Briggys - an excellent Butcher offering home delivery, Coop small supermarket
Online Deliveries – Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s all deliver to our properties. We advise securing a slot at least 10 days prior to arrival.
IN HOUSE CATERING
Jeannie Stevenson – Happy to provide catered meals within the house, will also arrange for prepared meals to be delivered ready for your arrival. Tel: 07799 168438
Pooee Pitman – Like Jeannie, happy to prepare meals in advance or catered in house. Tel: 07979 902891
Home baking / celebration cakes – contact Katie – 07817 284119