The best pets off leash campsites near Melrose

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Melrose is a charming town in the Scottish Borders in the valley of the River Tweed. The triple peaks of the Eildon Hills dominate the surrounding area and reward climbers with excellent views from the top. At ground level, Melrose Abbey, which dates from 1136, has connections to Robert the Bruce and, nearby the Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre houses the Trimontium Museum, dedicated to Scotland’s Roman past. Melrose Abbey is the starting point for the St Cuthbert's Way 62-mile (100-kilometre) long-distance trail to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) off the coast of Northumberland, England.

88% (11)

Top-rated campgrounds near Melrose

1. King Garth

100%
(9)
77km from Melrose · 1 unit · Glamping
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night

5. Lake District Herdwick Huts

100%
(1)
129km from Melrose · 5 units · Glamping
You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. These beautiful huts are nestled underneath the Fairfield horseshoe mountain range and Nab scar, so there is no need to drive anywhere for the finest mountain hikes. With Rydal Lake, a wild swimmers hot spot, and waterfalls and plunge pools on site, it really is hard to beat! You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. Grasmere is on the doorstep, voted one of the top places to visit in the Lake District, with the famous '‘Coffin route’ walk offering a spectacular lake and mountain view stroll straight from your hut door. With low level to high level walks exploring the Lakes from Rydal caters for everyone. Ambleside and Grasmere are both walking distance for cafes, restaurants and cinemas and Rydal offers scenic off-road strolls to arrive by. Each with fresh linen, wood burning stove and cast iron gas hob, you are sure to be comfortable even in the thick of winter.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£110
 / night

Melrose is a charming town in the Scottish Borders in the valley of the River Tweed. The triple peaks of the Eildon Hills dominate the surrounding area and reward climbers with excellent views from the top. At ground level, Melrose Abbey, which dates from 1136, has connections to Robert the Bruce and, nearby the Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre houses the Trimontium Museum, dedicated to Scotland’s Roman past. Melrose Abbey is the starting point for the St Cuthbert's Way 62-mile (100-kilometre) long-distance trail to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) off the coast of Northumberland, England.

88% (11)

Top-rated campgrounds near Melrose

1. King Garth

100%
(9)
77km from Melrose · 1 unit · Glamping
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night

5. Lake District Herdwick Huts

100%
(1)
129km from Melrose · 5 units · Glamping
You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. These beautiful huts are nestled underneath the Fairfield horseshoe mountain range and Nab scar, so there is no need to drive anywhere for the finest mountain hikes. With Rydal Lake, a wild swimmers hot spot, and waterfalls and plunge pools on site, it really is hard to beat! You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. Grasmere is on the doorstep, voted one of the top places to visit in the Lake District, with the famous '‘Coffin route’ walk offering a spectacular lake and mountain view stroll straight from your hut door. With low level to high level walks exploring the Lakes from Rydal caters for everyone. Ambleside and Grasmere are both walking distance for cafes, restaurants and cinemas and Rydal offers scenic off-road strolls to arrive by. Each with fresh linen, wood burning stove and cast iron gas hob, you are sure to be comfortable even in the thick of winter.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£110
 / night

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The best pets off leash campsites near Melrose guide

Where to go

Around Town

Staying in the town centre puts you within easy reach of Melrose’s attractions, shops and the many miles of footpaths and cycle routes that run along the banks of the Tweed. In a peaceful setting, close to the heart of town, Melrose Gibson Park Club Site has hardstanding, tent and serviced pitches.

Jedburgh

Under a 20-minute drive south of Melrose, Jebdurgh’s colourful history encompasses cross-border raids, battles and Mary, Queen of Scots. Today, the town is a picturesque place for a riverside walk or browse around the colourfully painted buildings in the Market Place and Canongate. Nearby, Ale Water Valley offers outdoor activities such as cycling, horse riding and golf. Just outside town, the small Jedburgh Camping and Caravanning Club Site has pitches for tents and tourers.

Hawick

West of Jedburgh, Hawick is known for its textile production, particularly knitwear and cashmere. It’s also the site of the annual Common Ridings, a spectacle of horsemanship held in early summer. Between Hawick and Jedburgh, Wild Woods Camping Ruberslaw offers a variety of pitches for tent campers, including pitches inside the site’s walled garden.

When to go

As its southerly location means that it rarely experiences extreme weather, the Scottish Borders is a great region to visit all year-round. July and August, when Scottish schools are on holiday, is peak tourist season and also the warmest. For avoiding crowds while still enjoying warm weather, May/June and September are good times to travel. April is the driest month of the year and December the wettest.

Know before you go

  • Not all sites in the area open year-round: check opening dates before travelling.
  • If you choose to wild camp, be sure to adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Note that, due to different national laws, wild camping is permitted along the Scottish section of St Cuthbert’s Way but not the English section.
  • While you can get around by using public buses, having your own transport offers more flexibility. The closest train station is Tweedbank, which is 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) away and has direct links to Edinburgh.
  • There are a few small supermarkets in Melrose. For bigger purchases, head for Galashiels, five miles (eight kilometres) northwest.