Coldstream Holiday Park - Fun Days Out

Floors Castle is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe, near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Despite the name it is an estate house rather than a fortress, designed by William Adam in the 1720s and later given its turrets and battlements by William Playfair. It stands by the River Tweed with views over the Cheviot Hills, and the grounds are on Scotland's national inventory of gardens and designed landscapes.

Inside, you can see the castle's collections and learn about the Innes-Ker family, whose story runs from Border bandits to stewards of the land. Outside, the four-acre Walled Garden is an RHS Partner Garden, with herbaceous borders, glasshouses, a Victorian kitchen garden and a formal Millennium Garden with a French-style parterre. There are also woodland and riverside walks around the Roxburghe Estate, a play area, cafés and shops.

Tip: Different parts of the estate open at different times, so check the Floors Castle website for what is open and how to enter before you set off.

Bamburgh Castle is a Grade I listed fortress on the Northumberland coast, built on a crag of volcanic dolerite above the North Sea. It covers nine acres of rocky plateau and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. Anglo-Saxon kings of Northumbria made it their royal capital, the Normans built the keep that still forms its heart, and in the Wars of the Roses it became the first English castle to fall to gunpowder.

Inside, you can tour the State Rooms, including the King's Hall, and see industrialist William Armstrong's collection of artwork, ceramics and objets d'art. He bought and restored the castle in the late 19th century. There are plenty of ghost stories and legends, and it is believed to be the site of Sir Lancelot's fictitious castle, Joyous Garde. History fans will enjoy it most, but the sea views and outdoor spaces, plus a café for takeaway refreshments, suit families and couples too.

Tip: Prams and pushchairs aren't allowed in the State Rooms, so bring a baby carrier; there is a free shuttle buggy from the on-site car park up the hill.

Chillingham Castle is a 13th-century fortress in Northumberland, listed Grade I. It stands on what was once the border between England and Scotland, and was repeatedly attacked and besieged. Edward I stayed here in 1298, and James I in 1617. Inside you can see its grand rooms, including the great hall, and walk through the gardens and grounds. There are lakes and a tearoom too.

The castle markets itself as one of Britain's most haunted, and has been visited by the TV show Most Haunted. For a spookier visit, you can explore the Torture Chamber or join a ghost tour. The castle's grounds are home to the rare white Chillingham cattle. The castle describes itself as perfect for short breaks and family days out, and it is about 20 minutes from the coast.

Kelso Abbey was founded in the 1100s and was one of Scotland's largest and wealthiest religious houses. The monks moved here in 1128, close to King David I's new castle at Roxburgh. Next to nothing remains of the sprawling monastery precinct, but what survives of the church is one of the most spectacular architectural achievements in medieval Scotland. The standing remains are the west tower crossing and part of the infirmary, built in a massive Romanesque style.

The abbey sits on the edge of the historic burgh of Kelso, described by Historic Environment Scotland as one of Scotland's prettiest towns, and has been a favourite subject for artists since the late 1600s. It overlooks the meeting of the Tweed and Teviot rivers. Other Historic Environment Scotland sites nearby include Smailholm Tower, Dryburgh Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey and Melrose Abbey.

Tip: Smailholm Tower is about 6 miles away and Dryburgh Abbey about 9 miles, so both are easy to add to the day.

Lindisfarne Castle is a 16th-century fort on Holy Island, reached across a tidal causeway. In 1901 Sir Edwin Lutyens turned it into an Arts and Crafts home, and inside you can see the stone vaults of the old Tudor gun battery. Outside, upturned boats serve as sheds, and there's a walled garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll.

Head up to the Upper Battery, where volunteers have scopes for spotting seals on the rocks. Families can pick up a free I Spy trail, play hide and seek in the 19th-century limekilns, or walk the short circular route around the headland. There are picnic tables, deckchairs and a grassy bank with views towards the Farne Islands. It suits families, walkers and anyone who likes a castle with a bit of coast and nature around it.

Tip: Check the safe causeway crossing times before you travel, then park in the main island car park. The castle is a one-mile walk each way, and the approach is up steep cobbles, so wear sturdy footwear.

Smailholm Tower is a 15th-century tower house near Kelso, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland. It is a remarkably complete laird's residence that still stands roofed and floored, perched on a crag with wide views over the surrounding countryside. Around it you can see the foundations of the outer hall and kitchen, and the massive enclosure wall that shows how well defended these borderlands had to be.

Inside, the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border exhibition explores the link between Sir Walter Scott, the tower and the ballads that inspired him, with model figures illustrating local stories. Climb to the battlements for the views, which on a clear day may stretch to Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast. JMW Turner painted the tower, and it remains a favourite subject for artists. Dryburgh Abbey, Scott's resting place, is nearby if you want to extend the day.

Tip: Book your visit online in advance for a specific date and time, and consider pairing it with nearby Dryburgh Abbey.

Alnwick Castle is the seat of the Duke of Northumberland and has been home to the Percy family since 1307. It began as a Norman stronghold and grew into a major fortress on the Anglo-Scottish border. Inside the keep, the State Rooms include the Library, Drawing Room, Saloon, Dining Room and China Gallery. You can also walk the battlements and see the Victorian Great Kitchen.

Daily activities come with entry, from falconry and jesters to music and medieval crafts. There are talks and guided tours on the castle's history and its film connections. Broomstick Training runs in the grounds where Harry Potter had his first flying lesson, and it's free, though you need a time-slot ticket. It suits families, history fans and film fans. One visitor review says the castle took them an entire day to see.

Tip: Broomstick Training needs a time-slot ticket, and Alnwick Castle tickets don't include The Alnwick Garden, which has its own website.

Mellerstain House is a Borders country house, and one of the first buildings Robert Adam designed in his 'Castle' style. Guided tours take you through rooms with his delicate plasterwork ceilings and wall decoration. The library is the finest of them. On the top floor, the gallery displays costumes, fans, embroideries and documents.

Outside, the gardens and grounds are good for a wander. There is a woodland walk on the hillside above the water, with views towards the Cheviot Hills on a clear day. The path is steep in places and includes some old stone steps. A courtyard café is on site for refreshments. Dogs are welcome in the gardens, on a lead.

Tip: The house is open for tours only part of the year, while the gardens stay open year-round, so check the Mellerstain website before you set off.