South Watchlaw Farm

The Borders is a region justly known for its many castles. The photogenic ruins of Norham Castle (15 minutes’ drive) are free to wander, and offer amazing views over the Borders countryside, while ginormous Floors Castle (35 minutes) is open for tours of its lavish 18th-century interiors, spectacular formal gardens and wooded parkland. If you turn south, Northumberland has its own share of historic landmarks. Alnwick Castle (50 minutes) has a poison garden, kids’ adventure playground and Harry Potter filming locations. Head for Lindisfarne (35 minutes) to explore its castle and the ancient priory, or stroll along the expanse of sandy beach to Bamburgh Castle (40 minutes). To learn about local wildlife, head to Seashouses (45 minutes) and take a boat cruise to the Farne Islands to see the seabird and grey seal colonies. Back in Scotland, there’s another seabird colony on the plunging cliffs at St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve (half an hour). You can sometimes spot seals in the fishing harbour at picture-perfect Eyemouth (15 minutes), where you can also book RIB trips out into the North Sea to (possibly) catch dolphins frolicking in the waves.