My cousin and his fiancée live near Edinburgh, just a couple of hours North East of our home in Cumbria. We love to meet up, and discovered Wilton Lodge Park by accident, when looking for somewhere halfway between our homes to get together. Read on to discover all Wilton Lodge Park has to offer, and why it's a fabulous day out for all the family.

The Hassan family are stood posing for a photo with Naomi's cousin and his fiancée. Behind them are two large trees and an open field beyond.

About Wilton Lodge Park

Upstream of Hawick and situated on 107-acres of land along the banks of the River Teviot is the beautiful Wilton Lodge Park. One of the largest urban parks in the Scottish Borders area, it became a protected Fields in Trust green space in 2019.

A green sign with the title Wilton Lodge Park and a map of the Park is stood with grass and trees behind and between the trees you can see parts of the Wilton Lodge building.

The park is free to visit and offers a range of atttactions and places to explore and enjoy. From tree lines public pathways to walled gardens, and memorial statues to a children’s playground you will find something for every member of the family to love at Wilton Lodge Park. Don't forget to wander up and find the waterfall too.

Naomi's cousin is stood facing the bottom of a rocky cliff face with a small waterfall to his left, and Munchkin part way up the cliff face. His fiancée and squidgy are stood on a rocky surface behind him.

Where can I park?

There is limited accessible parking and drop off points on site near the museum.

To find the car park, use this post code: TD9 7JL

A small number of free standard spaces on the opposite side of the park.

To find the car park, use this post code: TD9 0EH

Please note: This postcode takes you to Borders College. Further along Buccleuch Road on the opposite side from the college is the entrance to the Volunteer Park and Wilton Lodge car park.

Alternatively, the Common Haugh car park is close by and offer a huge amount of parking.

There is over 400 spaces available.
There are 4 accessible parking spots.
Coach and campervan parking is also available.
Common Haugh car park is also free.
To find the car park, use this post code: TD9 7AH

Pickle and Munchkin are on the right of the image walking up stone steps to a blue water fountain with grass and trees behind them.

What is available at Wilton Lodge Park?

Outdoor play area

Designed by Wicksteed Playgrounds, this playground is one of the best we have ever experienced with our children. There are areas for children of all ages to enjoy and explore. Here you can enjoy everything from a toddler pirate ship to older children's castle, swings, roundabouts, trampolines, and more.

Hawick Museum

This 18th century mansion located in the heart of Wilton Lodge park is now a sizeable and free to visit museum and art gallery. It first became home to the history of Hawick in 1910 and is the oldest museum in the Scottish Borders. Inside you can discover the history of the local area including local textiles and other trades, local champion motorcyclists, and local wildlife. Additional exhibitions on world history and wartime history are also inside.

Hawick Museum at Wilton Lodge Park is open 11am - 4pm everyday.

There are three rusted rectangle metals with soldier silhouette cutouts, surrounded by flower beds. Behind to the right is a stone and brick building.in the back are a lot of different trees.

Cala Burn and the waterfall

If you follow the path up behind Hawick Museum, you will find a waterfall. It's a picturesque spot, hidden beneath the canopy of trees, where the Cala Burn flows over the rock face and down into Wilton Lodge Park. Depending on when you visit, the waterfall may be a small flow (like when we saw it in the summer) or more dramatic.

When Wilton Lodge was rebuilt, some of the stone here was taken away and used. The quarrying is partly responsible for the waterfall flowing the way it does today.

Woodland walks

There are plenty of public paths to wander through the woodland areas of Wilton Lodge Park. There is plenty to do as well as walk:

Cross bridges and discover memorial statues and more.
Keep an eye out for woodland creatures.
The woodland areas are home to variety of trees, seasonal flowers, and other foliage to spot, the perfect area for bark rubbings or an outdoor scavenger hunt.
The Hawick Town Trail follows through Wilton Lodge Park (if that's your thing!)

John is walking along a woodland pathway with Squidgy, Munchkin, and Naomi's cousin and his fiancé. Ahead of them is a woodland area, with grassy verges to either side of the path.

Formal gardens, water fountains and more

From a walled garden where the local community grow fruit, vegetables, herbs, and of course flowers, to cycle routes, and even sport pitches you can book to use, Wilton Lodge Park really has everything you could possibly want for a day outside.

Squidgy is facing away from the camera leaning on a metal bridge looking down at a small, shallow river with rocks in. On either side is foliage and trees.

As well as offering year round walks, statues, fountains, and other items to discover and enjoy, Wilton Lodge Park hosts several events from March to October including:

Fireworks display
Easter Egg Hunts
Science Festival Family Day
Summer Band Stand Programme
Summer Fun Sessions

Pickle is facing away from the camera looking at a large water fountain which is blue and gold.

FAQs about our family days out

Is it suitable for children and / or dogs?

With plenty of walks and open spaces to enjoy, in addition to the play area, Wilton Lodge Park is the perfect place to enjoy with every member of your family - fur babies and human babies included. It is a pet friendly area, and even the Pavilion Café allows dogs on leads to come inside.

Munchkin is in the middle of the image holding out a green leaf. He is shouting with a smile. He is wearing a blue shacked, green shorts and walking boots and is running on grass.

Are there facilities available?

Adjacent to the entrance of the Pavilion Café are public toilets and changing facilities. You can also find facilities at the nearby Volunteer Park.

Squidgy and Munchkin are peaking out to the right of a huge tree trunk in the centre of the image. They are shouting boo at the camera.

Is there anywhere to eat nearby?

The Pavilion Café is a small but lovely café that offers hot and cold drinks, snacks, and a menu of light meals too.

The café is open 9:30am - 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 4pm on weekends.

You will also find picnic benches outside if you prefer to bring your own food. They are situated next to the café and around the outside of the play park.

The photo is taken from a grass verge with a concrete path across the front of a wooden building with a tile roof. Steps lead up to the building. You can see flower baskets on the wooden fence around the building.

So, now you know everything you need to visit this amazing day out in the Scottish Borders. I can't wait to head back to Wilton Lodge Park with my little family, and I hope you are able to enjoy it as much as we did.

For more blog posts about exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces along Hadrian's Wall, check out the other blogs in my days out and travel blog. Have you found somewhere amazing to visit in the Northumberland? We love to explore new spots, so feel free to share in the comments below.