Children will revel in the great open spaces and clean air that this pristine part of Scotland has to offer. There are unlimited opportunities to get back to nature and make those special childhood memories that great family holidays bring.
But sometimes parents just need a break or if the weather isn’t behaving itself you need to look for indoor activities to keep them entertained. Here we have tried to give you some local knowledge to help keep the kids amused whatever the weather.
BOWHILL HOUSE & COUNTRY PARK
Around 15 minutes drive from the holiday cottages this is a great place to take the children. There’s an indoor softplay, a huge outdoor adventure playground and a great little café for lunch all within the setting of a large stately house. http://www.bowhillhouse.co.uk/
HARESTANES – Great play park, scenic walks and cafe (amazing freshly cooked waffles!) https://www.liveborders.org.uk/play/harestanes/
CRAFTY WORKSHOPS, JEDBURGH – a crafty experience awaits all ages! http://craftsscotland.uk/
JACKSONS AT JEDBURGH – family run farm visitor attraction. https://www.jacksonsatjedburgh.co.uk/
BORDER BERRIES – the local pick your own berrys farm. There is also a cafe featuring delicious home baking! http://borderberries.co.uk/
THE HAINING, SELKIRK – a beautiful place to go for a walk or bike ride for adults, children and dogs. There’s a slightly dilapidated mansion house with a loch in front and surrounding it all are stunning mature woodlands with lots of wide paths to explore. Lots of these are bike and wheelchair friendly. One of our favourite places to go for a walk with our dogs and children.
CHEEKY PANDA’S SOFTPLAY, TD1 2HQ
In Galashiels around 10 minutes drive from the holiday cottages. Perfect if you just want to have a coffee and read the newspaper while the kids run riot in the softplay! https://www.cheekypandassoftplay.com/
PAVILION CINEMA, TD1 3AF
In Galashiels. Good for rainy days! http://pavilioncinema.co.uk/
OLD MELROSE TEA ROOM – 10 minutes drive away, just off the A68 heading south towards Newtown St Boswells. This is a delightful little café serving delicious light lunches. The great attraction for young children is that they can bring their favourite teddy and have a teddybear’s picnic which is served in a small picnic basket. There are also wonderful riverside walks from here http://oldmelrosefurniturestudio.co.uk/
GLENTRESS FOREST MOUNTAIN BIKING, EH45 8NB
40 minutes drive from Eildon Melrose this is a mountain biking mecca, probably the best trail centre in the UK. Great for older children and adults. You can hire bikes and helmets at the centre and there’s a really good café where you’ll see lots of people plastered in mud! http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/glentress
GO APE TREETOP ADVENTURE, EH45 8NB – A fantastic day out at Glentress forest, high up in the tress above the mountain bike trails. There is a tree-top assault course. tarzan swings and zip wires. Features the highest zip wire in Scotland. Minimum age 10 and minimum height 1.4m. https://goape.co.uk/locations/glentress-forest
TWEEDBANK CHILDREN’S PLAY PARK
A favourite with our children! https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/directory_record/13956/public_park_tweedbank
GIBSON PARK IN MELROSE
opposite Melrose Rugby Club and next to the Tennis Courts
BORDERS BOOK FESTIVAL
In Melrose at Harmony Gardens, 14th-17th June 2018. If you are here in June when it’s on there’s always a great schedule of children’s events making this a great day out. http://www.bordersbookfestival.org/
WILD SWIMMING – Lindean loch and Cauldshiels loch are 10-15 minutes drive from Eildon Melrose and offer a great place to go wild swimming amongst beautiful scenery. During the summer months it is warm enough to swim with or without wetsuits. St Mary’s Loch and Loch of the Lowes are also great places to swim, around 35 minutes drive away in the remote and beautiful Yarrow Valley. Locations can be found by searching the names on Google maps.
PADDLEBOARDING and KAYAKING – paddleboard hire is available locally to use on Lindean loch, St Mary’s Loch and Loch of the Lowes. Search on Facebook for ‘Kayak and SUP Hire and Sales Scottish Borders’ and ‘Live, Love, Paddleboard – SUP Hire, Scottish Borders’. They also provide wetsuits and life jackets.
BIRD GARDENS SCOTLAND – Bird Gardens Scotland is home to many species of birds which are endangered or threatened in their native habitat including pink flamingoes and Emus. Oxton, TD2 6RA. https://www.birdgardensscotland.com/
SPEED BOATS TOURS – there are RIB speedboats running trips out of St Abbs and Eyemouth (1 hour drive from Eildon Melrose). They offer scenic or high speed trips around the beautiful St Abbs Marine Reserve. Great fun and if you are lucky you can spot dolphins, basking sharks, Orca or whales! https://www.eyemouthribtrips.co.uk/ https://www.ribridesstabbs.co.uk/