Riverside camping near Melrose

Hillwallkers, long-distance hikers and history lovers will find plenty to do in this Border town.

99% (56 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Melrose

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Stories from the community

Lorna

2 weeks ago

With pets

4 nights at Organic Welltree

I loved my 4 night break in the Bramble Yurt. The yurt was clean and cosy. I did have the stove burner on due to the weather being so good. The bathroom shed was clean and fresh. The fridge was a god send considering the temperature reach a high of 27 degrees. I had a relaxing time sitting in the fresh air watching the wild life and the world go by. I would highly recommend Organic Welltree. I shall definitely go back. I wish to thanks them for my time at Kirkland.

1 night at Walkmill Campsite

Wunderschöner, naturnaher Campsite. Herrliche Landschaft, viel Platz rund um die blühende Wiese. Alles sehr gepflegt. Sofort wieder!

Weekend Trip to West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

A lovely wee site with various accommodation options, the staff are super helpful.

1 night at King Garth

This is a very special place. A chance to step back in time and live simply - supper by candlelight, games played beside a roaring fire, dips in the river. We visited when the elder was full in blossom and the willows whispered full-leafed in the wind. Walking along the river edge was like exploring the mangroves in tropical rainforest - a magical experience for kids, dogs and adults alike! We feel like we've just slipped back into history, sat in the window watching the river, we half expected to see boats carrying cargo past to Carlisle... Go prepared to step back in time and live simply. Everything you need is provided - candles, wood, crockery - there is a woodfired tub that you can heat yourselves, a beautifully simple kitchen set up with a water system that is carefully thought out, and a compost loo.

May 2025

Tent

4 nights at Walkmill Campsite

Definitely a 10/10 site. I wholehearted recommend staying at Walkmill Campsite Positives Extremely pretty area Peace and quiet Big pitches Proper toilets Proper shower Very friendly hosts Camp fires allowed Very tidy Reasonable pitch prices Negatives None

Weekend Trip to Walkmill Campsite

Excellent honesty shop, great facilities - felt like a home away from home! Lovely little villages by the sea nearby. As seen on the bbc television series "villages by the sea" hosted by Ben Robinson.

1 night at West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

It was amazing! The view of the surrounding fells and farms was so tranquil and peaceful. Andrew was a friendly and helpful host. The property was beautiful and there was a good community of campers there that socialized over breakfast. There were also trails on the property that we didn't get to. I would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone that is going to Scotland

Mandi

April 2025

1 night at West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

Very friendly staff. Easy to find. Great facilities. Lovely walks right at back of premises. Only downside for me was the noise off other campers. People turning up and setting stuff up after 10 pm. Also loud group of lads. But I’m use to wild camping so maybe noise would be acceptable for most.

Weekend Trip to Camping at Cardewlees

Really friendly greeting from the owner and the pitch was excellent.

1 night at Walkmill Campsite

Nothing but good things to say about Walkmill! Clean, well looked after, incredibly peaceful, and Claire was very helpful before and during our stay. Perfect for the first night of our trip in our van. Will definitely be back & would recommend to anyone. Thanks again!

Weekend Trip to Walkmill Campsite

Lovely campsite with excellent facilities. All very clean and in good condition. The hosts were very helpful and the little shop is stocked with some great stuff. Considering how remote the site is, it was very easy to find. The area it's in is great for peaceful walks.

6 top river, stream, or creek campsites near Melrose

98%

(110)

Walkmill Campsite

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Northumberland, North East England

Refreshingly understated private camping in the unspoiled Northumberland countryside

99%

(40)

Camping at Cardewlees

37 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Carlisle, England

A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

81%

(35)

West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

46 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Glasgow, Lanarkshire, South Scotland

A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way

100%

(2)

King Garth

1 unit · Glamping2 acres · Carlisle, England

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.

88%

(25)

Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

5 units · Glamping, Motorhomes17 acres · Perthshire , Scotland

Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle

100%

(25)

The Black Swan

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Kirkby Stephen, England

Our three, brand new wood and canvas yurts are nestled in our private, woodland hotel garden beside the beautiful conservation (SSSI) river of Scandal Beck. Just a short drive from The Lake District, The Yorkshire and Durham Dales as well as The Scottish Border, we are perfectly located for you to explore. The yurts themselves are individually decorated with full size furniture, electricity and double beds. The yurts are all located in the garden of The Black Swan Hotel, Ravenstonedale, a multi award-winning hotel, restaurant and bar; recipient of 2 AA Rosettes as well as AA pub of the year for England 2018/19. As part of your stay in our yurts you will receive a full cooked breakfast and buffet option included in the price for 2 people in our hotel restaurant. We like to think of ourselves as a cosy home from home with a relaxed dining atmosphere throughout. We are very dog friendly in the hotel, restaurant, bar and yurts so please bring your furry family members. Our beautiful woodland is also home to red squirrels (which are seen daily), protected, freshwater crayfish in the river, an otter (seen very infrequently but the nemesis of our ducks), 6 Indian runner ducks, free range chickens and our two cockerels! (Dogs are very welcome but are to be kept on a lead whilst in the woodland itself). We are very dog friendly and charge an additional fee of £15 for 1 dog/ £20 for 2 dogs for an additional cleaning fee and for some dog friendly goodies such as poop bags and treats. The price of this yurt is based on an occupancy of 2 people. Any other people who will be staying on the sofa bed will add a charge of £40 per person per night for breakfast and their stay. All yurts come with electrical battery pack, chargeable lanterns, tea/coffee, homemade biscuits, log burning stoves, towels, full breakfast included from the hotel, an outdoor seating area and access to our outdoor toasty warm woodland shower as well as our very cute, wooden toilet cabin. Hairdryers are available in the hotel for your use.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Riverside camping near Melrose guide

Overview

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.

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.