Mindrum Garden

Three miles south of Coldstream, Mindrum Garden sits on sloping ground overlooking the Tweed Valley, and it's genuinely worth the slight detour if you're staying at Coldstream Holiday Park. The main draw here is a series of deep ravines carved through woodland - proper dramatic stuff - with burns tumbling through them and footpaths that let you get down into the gorge itself. There's something brilliant about walking through native forest at valley level while the land rises steeply on both sides.

It's the kind of place that appeals most to keen walkers and anyone who gets a kick from raw Scottish landscape rather than manicured gardens. Don't expect flowerbeds - this is about geology, waterfalls, and the sheer power of water over time. You could easily spend an hour here if you're thorough, longer if you're trying to spot wildlife or just soaking up the quiet.

The woodland offers decent shelter on drizzly days, which matters in the Borders. Spring and summer are obviously better for exploring the ravines properly, though autumn light filtering through the trees is lovely too. If you're basing yourself at the holiday park, this makes a fine morning walk - close enough to nip back for lunch, remote enough to feel like you've actually escaped somewhere.

Bring proper footwear. Some sections are steep and can be slippery, especially after rain. It's free to access, and there's nowhere to buy anything nearby, so plan accordingly.