Family Stay at Colania Dene Lodges Our Scottish Borders Guide
Hello from the Outdoor Exploring Family. That’s Mum, Dad and our two cheeky boys.
We’ve stayed at Colania Dene Lodges a few times now simply because we love it here. It’s peaceful, cosy, dog friendly and perfectly placed for exploring this beautiful stretch of the Scottish Borders coastline. Every visit feels like a proper reset from busy everyday life.
We don’t own the lodges and we’re not affiliated in any way. We’ve just had some genuinely lovely family holidays here and wanted to share the places we personally enjoy visiting nearby. Everything on this page comes from our own trips, small discoveries and days out that worked well for us as a family.
If you’re planning a stay in this part of Scotland, we hope our tried and tested favourites help you make the most of your time too.
Why We Love It Here
One of the first things we noticed about Colania Dene Lodges is how peaceful it feels. The lodges are well spaced out so you never feel overlooked or crowded, and there’s a genuine sense of calm as soon as you arrive.
Every lodge we’ve stayed in has been spotlessly clean and thoughtfully set up with everything you need for a comfortable family break. It feels easy from the moment you unpack, which makes a big difference when you are travelling with children.
After a day exploring the coastline or nearby towns, the hot tub is always a highlight. Sitting outside in the evening air while everything goes quiet around you is one of those simple holiday moments we really look forward to.
As you drive in, there’s a small bench looking out towards the sea. It might sound like a tiny detail, but it perfectly sums up this place. It invites you to slow down, take a breath, and just enjoy being there.
Places We Love to Explore Nearby
Here are some of our favourite family days out from Colania Dene Lodges. Every place below is somewhere we’ve visited ourselves and genuinely enjoyed, whether it was a beach day, a coastal walk, or a little adventure with the boys.
These are our tried and tested favourites for relaxed exploring, fresh air, and making simple family memories. We’ve included approximate driving times to help with planning, and each spot works well for a half day wander or a full day out, depending on how slow you want to take things.
We hope they help you discover a few lovely places of your own while you’re here.
Eyemouth
Harbour views, seaside fun and seals
TD14 5EU • approx 3.1 miles • around 7 minutes drive
Eyemouth is a traditional fishing town with everything you need for an easy family day out, from seaside cafés and takeaways to small shops and a lovely sandy beach. We always enjoy wandering around the harbour, watching the boats and keeping an eye out for seals popping up near the edge. Evening walks along the beach are a favourite of ours too, especially when the sun starts to set over the sea. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and one of those places that feels simple in the best possible way.
St Abbs
Wild beauty and warm cakes
TD14 5PL • approx 2.2 miles • around 7 minutes drive
St Abbs might be small, but it’s full of character and surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery. We discovered it on our first visit and now return every time we’re in the area. The clifftop views are stunning and the walking routes feel wonderfully wild, making it a great spot for fresh air and photography. We also love popping into the visitor centre, then finishing with breakfast or homemade cake at the Old School Café. It’s become one of our must visit stops.
Coldingham Bay
Beach days and rock pool adventures
TD14 5PL • approx 1.8 miles • around 6 minutes drive
Coldingham Bay is where we head for a proper beach day. It manages to feel peaceful and unspoilt while still having toilets, easy parking and lifeguards during the summer months. There’s a long sandy stretch for games and swimming, plus rocky areas that are perfect for exploring. Our boys love searching for tiny crabs and fish in the pools, while we enjoy how open and calm it feels. Pack a picnic and you can easily spend the whole day here.
Tantallon Castle
Epic ruins with sea views
EH39 5PN • approx 28 miles • around 39 minutes drive
Tantallon Castle gave us one of our most memorable days out. Sitting high on the cliffs above the sea, the ruins are full of towers, staircases and hidden corners that children love exploring. The views across to Bass Rock are breathtaking, especially on a clear day when seabirds circle overhead and waves crash below. It’s the kind of place that sparks imagination straight away and feels just as magical for grown ups as it does for kids.
Holy Island (Lindisfarne)
An adventure across the tides
TD15 2SE • approx 25 miles • around 36 minutes drive (plus tide crossing)
Holy Island feels like a real adventure because you reach it by a tidal causeway that disappears under the sea. Timing your crossing adds excitement and makes the whole visit feel special. Once you arrive, there’s Lindisfarne Castle, the Priory ruins, coastal walks and plenty of wildlife to spot. We always treat ourselves to gelato before heading back. Just remember to check safe crossing times before you go. It’s a unique day out that everyone remembers.
National Museum of Flight
Planes, play and picnics
EH39 5LF • approx 27 miles • around 40 minutes drive
This is a full day adventure and one of our family favourites. Spread across huge hangars and open airfield space, the museum lets you explore historic aircraft and even walk through Concorde. There’s lots to keep children interested, including interactive exhibits and space to picnic outside. We easily filled the whole day here, and watching the boys pretend to be pilots inside Concorde was a real highlight.
Dunbar
Sunshine, seals and seaside charm
EH42 1EU • approx 19 miles • around 32 minutes drive
Dunbar is often called one of Scotland’s sunniest towns, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a lovely place to visit. There are clifftop walks, sandy beaches, harbour views and the ruins of Dunbar Castle right by the sea. You might even spot seals near the harbour if you’re lucky. We enjoy wandering through town, collecting shells on the beach and soaking up the relaxed coastal atmosphere. It feels warm and welcoming, perfect for a gentle family day out.
Coldingham Priory
A peaceful hidden gem close to the lodges
TD14 5NG • approx 0.7 miles • around 3 minutes drive or a gentle walk
Just a short walk from Colania Dene Lodges, Coldingham Priory is one of those quiet places that’s easy to miss but always worth visiting. The historic ruins sit peacefully in the village and feel perfect for a gentle wander or a few calm moments taking it all in. We often pop down here when we fancy stretching our legs without driving anywhere. It’s a lovely little spot that adds a touch of history and tranquillity to your stay.
One Last Word from Us
Our stays at Colania Dene Lodges and exploring this beautiful corner of the Scottish Borders have given us some really special family memories, from beach days and seal spotting to castle climbs and quiet evenings soaking in the hot tub.
We don’t own the lodges and we’re not affiliated in any way. We simply love coming here and wanted to share the places that made our holidays feel relaxed, easy and memorable.
We’re not paid for anything we share. We do this because we truly believe in the power of getting outdoors for a healthier mindset and slowing down from everyday life. If this page encourages even a few people to step outside and explore somewhere new, then it’s been worth it to us.
If you’re planning a visit, we hope our favourite spots help you enjoy your own time away just as much as we have. We’ll definitely be back again soon.
If you’ve got a question about somewhere we’ve visited, feel free to email us at Info@OutdoorExploringFamily.com
. We’re always happy to help.
You can also follow our journey on Instagram at @OutdoorExploringFamily for more family travel ideas and gentle outdoor inspiration.
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