Bonchester Bridge Riverside Park

Walking boots at the ready – guests here can take a woodland walk directly from the site or follow one of several trails from just outside the village. Or, if you’re feeling particularly energetic, how about the Borders Abbeys Way? This 68-mile route links the great ruins of Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh, and short sections of it are just as rewarding if you can’t manage the whole thing (or you could drive – they’re all within a half-hour journey). If the water’s more of your scene, head instead to St Mary’s Loch (45 minutes’ drive), where the active sailing club runs activities including windsurfing, kayaking and yacht training. Lindean Loch (half an hour) is a good place for a wild swim. Heading over the border into England you’ll quickly get to Northumberland National Park and Kielder Forest Park (half an hour). Both are excellent places for walking and other outdoor pursuits, and the two together form Europe’s second-largest dark sky area – head here for great stargazing and observatory events.