Thirlestane Caravan Park

Thirlestane Caravan Park combines a castle-estate setting with the convenience of Lauder a short walk away. Family-run and dog-friendly, it welcomes tents and campervans on grass and hardstanding touring pitches, with electric hook-up and non-electric options. Bushes separate the tent pitches, giving them a measure of privacy, while the camping areas accommodate individual visitors, families and larger groups. The town’s pubs, restaurants, shops and fish-and-chip takeaway make it straightforward to eat out or pick up provisions without driving.

Practical facilities include toilets and showers, laundry and drying facilities, a food preparation area and electric vehicle charging points. The park opens from April to October, with pitches booked directly by telephone or email rather than through online booking. Woodland walks around the site offer an option for stretching your legs, and Thirlestane Castle is just round the corner. The castle’s central section was completed in 1590, then remodelled in the 1670s; its elaborate plasterwork ceilings and extensive family portrait collection give a sense of the Maitland family’s long history here. Castle visits require separate planning around tour arrangements.

For exploring on foot beyond the estate, Lauder has a varied network of riverside, woodland and hill paths. Scottish Borders Council’s local walking guide covers ten routes ranging from one to thirteen miles. The Southern Upland Way also passes through Lauder, with sections linking the town to Melrose and Longformacus, offering longer outings distinct from the woodland walks around the park.