Honey Cottage Caravan Park

It may be just an hour from both Edinburgh and Carlisle, lying between the two in the Scottish Borders, but once you've set up camp at Honey Cottage (Pooh Bear would be salivating at such a name) you'll feel well and truly away from it all. Set on the banks of Etrick Water in the beautiful Etrick Valley it's the perfect base for discovering this eye-pleasing area.

Arrive at the campsite and you'll receive a friendly and enthusiastic welcome from owner Alan Woof. As a keen camper and motor-homer himself, Mr Woof knows the ingredients needed to make for happy campers. And while the campsite might eschew the bells and whistles, the facilities cover all the essentials with electrical hook-ups, clean, modern shower blocks and toilets, a laundry, well-stocked shop and small children's play area. Alan's laid-back approach results in a relaxed atmosphere. All that's asked is that visitors respect other guests – and who can argue with that?  

Don't be put-off by the sight of the statics as you enter, as you'll discover the tranquil riverside camping area where you can pitch your tent, sit back and unwind as the river meanders lazily by. As the sun goes down you'll be treated to some spectacular star gazing – the lack of light pollution means you'll enjoy a rare chance to experience an unspoilt, glittering night sky.

Honey Cottage is a great base for exploring the diversity the Scottish Borders has to offer. From twitching to knitting to literary pilgrimages, there's something to discover for everyone. Pack some sturdy walking boots as the best way to explore the area is on foot, along one of the many trails and paths that run through the Ettrick Valley, Eildon Hills and the nearby Bowhill Estate. Not to be missed is a walk along the Captain's Road which offers views of St Mary's Loch and the impressive – and excellently named – Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall (the fifth largest in the UK) which cascades from a hanging valley and whose crags are home to nesting peregrine falcons. Birdwatchers will also delight in the sight of osprey, goshawk and oyster catchers. 

For the bookish, this is Sir Walter Scott country whose romantic depictions of a bygone Scotland were inspired by the area. His home at Abbotsford House, Melrose, is open to visitors while Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom in Selkirk is a museum devoted to the writer. Enjoy a pint at the Tibbie Shiels Inn on the banks of St Mary's Loch, where Scott would while away his evenings with fellow Caledonian writer James Hogg.  

The Borders are, of course, famous for their textile history. Nearby town Hawick is central to this, with knitwear company Pringle still based there, while and the Borders Textile Townhouse in the town showcases the history of the industry going back to the 13th century.

We could go on, and on.... The opportunities for exploring this fascinating part of the UK are countless, but safe to say, there really is something for everyone. At Honey Cottage that includes the ultimate luxury, being able to sit back and do nothing other than enjoy the peace and quiet.