Our Favourite Family Escape: Colania Dene Lodges

Hello from the Outdoor Exploring Family! That’s us – Mum, Dad, our two cheeky boys, and our trusty adventure dog, Buster 🐾. We’re big believers in making memories outdoors, and one of our absolute favourite spots is Colania Dene Lodges in the beautiful Coldingham Scottish Borders.

We’ve stayed here three times already and already planning our next trip. Why? Because it’s peaceful, cosy, and just perfect for families (and four-legged friends too).

 

Since we've spent a few wonderful holidays at Colania Dene, we've gathered quite a list of favourite spots! We wanted to share some of the places we absolutely love to visit while we're in the area for your convenience, we've included the postcode for each location, along with an approximate driving time from Colania Dene Lodges.

We're really hoping our family's tried-and-tested recommendations will help you find some lovely gems and make your own adventures in the beautiful Scottish Borders truly special!

Just So You Know...

We just wanted to add a little note that we're not affiliated with Colania Dene Lodges, or any of the wonderful places we've mentioned in the area. We simply love our holidays here and genuinely wanted to share our honest experiences and top tips to help you discover the magic of the Scottish Borders too!

 

🏡 Why We Love It Here

The lodges are well spaced out, so you never feel crowded, and there's a real sense of calm. Each one we've stayed in has been immaculately clean and properly kitted out – everything you need for a relaxing break is already there.

Oh, and did we mention... HOT TUB! Yes, after a day of exploring, there's nothing better.

As you drive in, you’ll find a peaceful little bench with a view out to sea – the perfect place for a morning brew or to just sit and soak in the tranquillity. Simple and lovely.

🌊 Places We Love to Explore Nearby

Here’s our go-to list of family-friendly days out from Colania Dene. All tried and tested by us!

Eyemouth

Harbour Views, Seaside Fun & Seals (TD14 5EU – 3.1 miles / 7 mins)

A traditional fishing town with everything you need: seaside shops, cafés, takeaways, a Co-op, and a lovely sandy beach.

  • The harbour is great for a wander – and if you're lucky, you might spot and even feed the seals!

  • We love taking evening walks along the beach here. The sunsets over the sea are just something else.

St Abbs

Wild Beauty & Warm Cakes (TD14 5PL – 2.2 miles / 7 mins)

St Abbs is a small fishing village, but don’t let its size fool you  this place is full of character and surrounded by wild coastal beauty. We stumbled across it on our first visit and now it’s a must-do every time we’re in the area.

The coastal cliffs here are dramatic – great if you fancy a rugged walk with views that make your jaw drop. It's a popular spot with wildlife watchers and photographers, and it’s not hard to see why.

A favourite stop of ours is the St Abbs Visitor Centre. It’s a small but brilliant place that shares the history of the village, stories about the sea, and even has a telescope where you can spot birds nesting on the cliffs. The boys loved it – and there’s a wee gift shop for local goodies.

But the highlight? The Old School Café. Oh my days – their breakfasts are proper tasty (we recommend the full Scottish), and the homemade cakes are absolutely next level. We usually end up taking extra back to the lodge for later.

Coldingham Bay

Beach Bliss & Rockpool Hunts (TD14 5PL – 1.8 miles / 6 mins)

Coldingham Bay is where we go for a proper beach day. It's one of those rare places that feels untouched but still has all the essentials – toilets, lifeguards in summer, and easy parking.

There’s a long sandy stretch, great for swimming, sunbathing (when the Scottish weather plays nice!), and beach games. One side of the bay has adorable little beach huts, and the other has rocky outcrops perfect for exploring.

Our boys could spend hours here rock pooling, looking for tiny crabs, little fish. It’s proper old-school fun and feels like an adventure every time.

Bring a picnic, a bucket and spade, and you’ve got yourself a full day out!

Tantallon Castle

Epic Ruins with a Sea View (EH39 5PN – 28 miles / 39 mins)

One of our most memorable days was spent at Tantallon Castle, perched on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. It’s a 14th-century fortress, now in dramatic ruins and you can explore all of it.

The boys loved charging up the stone staircases and peering through the arrow slits, pretending to be knights defending the castle. There are loads of nooks and towers to explore, and the views out to Bass Rock are breathtaking.

On a clear day, you can see the lighthouse, gannets circling above, and waves crashing far below.

It’s one of those places that sparks the imagination – and perfect for photos.

Holy Island (Lindisfarne)

(TD15 2SE) 25 miles/36 minutes

An Adventure Across the Tides

Now this one is a proper adventure! Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, can only be reached by a road that disappears under the sea when the tide comes in.

We plan it so we cross just before the tide cuts you off – it’s like getting stuck on a secret island, and the boys think it's brilliant.

Once you're there, it's full of history and charm:

  • Explore Lindisfarne Castle (it’s like something from a storybook)

  • Wander the ruins of the Priory

  • Check out the old lifeboat station

  • Walk the coastline looking for seals and seabirds

And whatever you do, don’t miss the Pilgrims Gelateria. It’s a tiny ice cream shop with the friendliest staff and the most delicious gelato you’ll ever taste.

Just don’t forget to check the safe crossing times before you go.

National Museum of Flight

Planes, Play & Picnics (EH39 5LF – 27 miles / 40 mins)

This place is a full-day adventure and one of our absolute favourites. The National Museum of Flight is packed with aircraft of all kinds – inside massive hangars and out on the airfield.

We took a picnic and easily filled the day. There’s:

  • An outdoor play area

  • A huge hangar dedicated to WWII history

  • An interactive room with games, puzzles and quizzes

  • Loads of aircraft you can step inside – including a Concorde!

Honestly, seeing the boys walk down the aisle of Concorde pretending to be pilots was a highlight. You can go in as many times as you like, and they were obsessed.

Dunbar

Sunshine, Seals & Ruins (EH42 1EU – 19 miles / 32 mins)

Dunbar is known as one of Scotland’s sunniest towns, and it’s easy to see why it’s a family favourite.

You’ve got:

  • Stunning clifftop walks

  • A lovely harbour where you might spot Sammy the Seal (he’s a local legend!)

  • Ruins of Dunbar Castle perched right by the sea

The beaches here are great too – perfect for collecting shells or just having a lazy wander. There’s something really charming about the town – it feels like a sunny coastal hug.

And how could we forget Coldingham Priory?
Just a lovely short walk from the lodges, this peaceful spot is full of history and charm. The ancient ruins are perfect for a bit of exploring or simply soaking up the calm atmosphere. We always find it a hidden gem on our trips. Definitely worth the wander!

One Last Word from Us...

Colania Dene Lodges and the Scottish Borders have given us some of our most special family moments – from beach days and seal spotting to castle climbs and hot tub sunsets.

We’ll be back again soon – and we hope you’ll give it a try too!

Follow our journey over on Instagram at @OutdoorExploringFamily for more family travel tips, hidden gems, and dog-friendly adventures!

 

Just so you know…
We’re not paid for anything we share – we do it because we’re firm believers in the power of the outdoors to help with a healthier mindset and tackle poor mental health. Even if we encourage just a handful of people to step outside and explore, then it’s all been worth it to us.

Got a question about somewhere we’ve visited? Feel free to drop us an email at Info@OutdoorExploringFamily.com – we’re always happy to help!