Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, Scottish Borders, is a gem for families seeking outdoor fun. In the February half term, we had a trip to the Scottish Borders and having previously visited (and loved) this park, we decided to venture back. It was June last time we visited (2021, hence the kids looking much smaller!). But fortunately, even though it was February, the weather played ball!
This 107-acre park, protected as a Fields in Trust green space since 2019, offers a blend of adventure, history, and natural beauty, making it a perfect stop for your family. It’s perhaps one of the most beautiful and well-kept parks we’ve been to, especially given its central location within the town.
Let’s dive into the details to help you plan your visit.
Where is Wilton Lodge Park Located?
Located at TD9 7JL, Wilton Lodge Park is upstream of Hawick along the banks of the River Teviot, making it easily reachable for a day trip. The park benefits from a large car parking facility, The Common Haugh Car Park, with over 400 free spaces, including 4 accessible spots for those with mobility needs.
Street parking is also readily available nearby. We actually parked on Wilton Lodge Road near some allotments and you drop down into the park. It’s a beautiful part of Hawick and a nice place to park.
The park is connected to a comprehensive road and path network, ideal for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.
History of Wilton Lodge Park
The park’s history is rooted in an 18th-century mansion now serving as Hawick Museum, which became home to local history in 1910 and is the oldest museum in the Scottish Borders. Recent restorations, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Scottish Government, have enhanced its facilities, including a £100k cycle path improvement project delivered by Sustrans Scotland through the Community Links Programme, and an additional £20k from the Smarter Choices, Smarter Placed fund to promote cycling.
These efforts reflect the park’s commitment to family-friendly outdoor activities. The park has everything you would want from a lovely day out: history, an eatery, and outdoor fun.
What is There to Do for Families?
Wilton Lodge Park is what I would call the ‘holy grail’ of parks. It has a little bit of everything! Excellent play area, beautifully maintained, the works.
Biking and Cycling: The park features brilliant park paths and a pump track, perfect for children of all ages. We enjoyed both and i really helped Barney with getting to grips with cycling.
Play Area: The modern adventure playpark, designed by Wicksteed Playgrounds, is a highlight, offering a pirate ship, a castle, swings, roundabouts, and trampolines. Id say it’s one of the best free parks we’ve ever visited. It’s vast and there are endless things to do. Both kids absolutely love it.
Sports Facilities: Tennis courts, croquet, and putting are available, providing options for older kids and adults to join in.
Museum Visits: Hawick Museum, open 11am-4pm daily, offers hands-on activities in the Old Schoolroom and Park Gallery, with changing exhibitions on local textiles, motorcycling history, and wartime memorabilia. We didn’t visit the museum as our focus was spending time outside but if we visit the region again we’d be sure to pop in.
Nature Walks: Tree-lined walks, a picturesque waterfall, and the River Teviot offer scenic routes for exploration, ideal for picnics and nature spotting, with the Violet Woods providing a 2000m riverside walk for a family adventure. Where we parked on Wilton Lodge Road you can find an entrance to the park and meander down a steep path, through the woods and into the main park area. Walled Garden and Events: The community-run walled garden, with a new glasshouse erected in Autumn 2022, is great for educational visits, and the Elliot Bandstand hosts Sunday performances, adding cultural flair to your visit.
Facilities for Families
Wilton Lodge Park is equipped with family-centric facilities:
- Parking: Free parking at The Common Haugh Car Park, with over 400 spaces, and street parking nearby on Wilton Lodge Road, ensuring you can easily park your car for a day out.
- Cafe: The Pavilion Cafe, located riverside, is pet-friendly and open 9:30am-4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-4pm weekends, offering hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light meals like takeaway sandwiches, perfect for a quick treat after biking. We ordered some food from the cafe and sat on the benches outside the play park. The food was good and the service was too.
- Picnic Areas: Picnic benches are situated next to the cafe and around the play park. We were travelling through on holiday, so didn’t have picnic facilities at the time, but there are an abundance of options, which is great to see.
- Toilets and Changing Facilities: Public toilets and baby changing facilities are adjacent to the cafe, which is just outside the play park. Again, everything just works well at Wilton Lodge Park.
- Accessibility: The park is wheelchair-friendly, with accessible parking spots, making it inclusive for all family members.
Areas for Improvement
It’s really difficult to find negatives to describe Wilton Lodge Park, It’s essentially a brilliant park. When reading reviews before visiting, however, I did notice some visitors have noted minor areas for enhancement, such as better signage to guide families to specific attractions like the waterfall or museum, but from our perspective, it’s hard to grumble.
Would you recommend it?
If you are lucky enough to live near Hawick and visit the Scottish Borders like we did, then we highly recommend this park. It has a little bit of everything. Quite possibly the best play area we’ve ever visited (for free), lovely walking routes, a pump track and a great cafe. It’s categorically worth a visit!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the park’s opening hours?
The park is open all year round, with informal recreational facilities available between March and October.
Is there parking available, and is it free?
Yes, The Common Haugh Car Park offers over 400 free spaces, with additional street parking nearby.
Are there any entry fees?
No, entry to the park is free, making it budget-friendly for family days out.
What activities are available for children?
A modern playpark, biking paths, a pump track, and sports facilities cater to children of all ages.
Is there a cafe or picnic area?
Yes, the Pavilion Cafe serves snacks and meals, and picnic benches are available throughout the park.
Is the park accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, it’s wheelchair-friendly with accessible parking spots, ensuring inclusivity.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful, well-maintained grounds with scenic walks and river views.
- Diverse activities for all ages, including biking and play areas.
- Historical attractions like Hawick Museum and cultural events.
- Free parking and no entry fees.
- Pet-friendly cafe and picnic areas.
Cons
- Minor need for better signage to guide visitors to all attractions.
Park enjoyment rating
Last Updated on April 28, 2025 by Ryan
Hello. I am Ryan and along with my wife Beth and our two children Matilda and Barney, we love all things cycling and exploring. We spend our weekends exploring fun places to cycle and discover and wanted to help other people do the same too. There’s no better way to travel than via bike and it’s an amazing activity for the whole family to enjoy.