Harestanes Park Review For Families

If you are visiting the borders or live close to Jedburgh then we are a huge fan of Harestanes Park

We’ve been lucky enough to visit this gem twice—once in the summer of 2021 and again during the February half-term. The first time we went Matilda was 5 and Barney was 9 months old so it was an entirely different experience.

It’s become one of those places we wished we had on our doorstep. Unfortunately, it’s 4 hours away! Harestanes has it all—and it’s perfect for little adventurers of all ages.

Where is Harestanes Park Located?

Harestanes Park sits snugly in the Scottish Borders, just a hop from the lovely town of Jedburgh. You’ll find it at the junction of the A68 and B6400, which makes it easy to reach by car. For us, it’s about 4 hours from our home in Wakefield, West Yorkshire but we love the area so have visited twice now. The borders are a special place. Vast open space, and plenty of outdoor fun and is perfect for kids as a family holiday.

A Brief History of Harestanes Park

Harestanes has a cool backstory that gives it a bit of extra charm. It started life as a countryside visitor centre and has since been transformed into a family-friendly hotspot, now run by Live Borders—a local charity that puts its profits back into the community.

The visitor centre itself feels like it’s housed in converted stables, complete with a gorgeous courtyard that’s perfect for sitting having spent time in the park.

Over the years, it’s evolved into a proper family hub, with its standout feature being the huge play park that got a big revamp not too long ago. What I love about it is it’s set in a rural location so it feels like a real outdoor haven. At the time of visiting it was the February half term in the borders too so there was a kids club. It made the atmosphere even more fun.

What is There to Do for Families?

Harestanes is bursting with stuff to keep the whole family entertained. I’d argue it’s one of our favourite play parks purely due to how carefully it’s been thought through!

• The Play Park: This is the main event, hands down. It’s one of the biggest outdoor play areas in the Borders, with a design inspired by Jedburgh Abbey—think historical There’s a giant pyramid tower, whopping slides, trampolines, and even a sandpit in the courtyard for the smaller ones. There’s also a toddler play garden and an agility trail. We tried to capture the play area with all the pictures we took. 
  
  One of the bits we particularly liked was the Wheelchair accessible swings. The whole park is well thought out for all needs including accessible swings, sensory areas and much more. 
  
•  Woodland Walks: Fancy a breather from the play park? There are four waymarked trails to explore, from gentle strolls to proper hikes. We went for the ‘yellow’ walk around Folly Loch—short enough for Barney’s little legs but still fun for Matilda with plenty of wildlife to spot. If you’re feeling energetic, the trek up to Peniel Heugh and the Waterloo Monument promises amazing views, though it’s a bit steep for us with the kids in tow (maybe next time!).
  
• Indoor Fun: Scottish weather being what it is, the visitor centre’s got your back on rainy days. At the time of visiting, we were lucky with the weather so we didn’t venture inside the visitor centre but it seems as though there’s an active community with events held regularly.

Facilities for Families

Harestanes is kitted out with everything a family could need for a smooth day out:

• Parking: Loads of free parking, including disabled spaces. Some folks reckon the signs could be clearer, but we found a spot no bother.
• Café: The café in the courtyard looks fantastic and there’s also an ice cream shop which we had to sample. The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating but we walked along happily with our ice cream which both kids loved.
•  Toilets: Clean, accessible, and with disabled facilities. Just note they’re closed in winter, along with the café, so plan ahead if you’re visiting off-season.
•  Picnic Areas: Loads of spots to set up your own picnic, which we love since it’s nice to bring a packed lunch. That said, the café is also available should you want to indulge further.
• Dog-Friendly: Got a pup? They’re welcome on most walks (except Peniel Heugh), and we saw plenty of families with dogs enjoying the park.

Areas for Improvement

It’s tough to find anything to moan about with Harestanes—it’s an absolutely fantastic park and one of those you would love close to where you live. But if we had to nitpick:

• Signage: A few people have said the parking signs could be better. We didn’t struggle, but it’s worth a heads-up if it’s your first trip.
• Winter Facilities: The café and toilets shut down in the off-season, which is a shame if you’re visiting in quieter months. It didn’t affect us in February as there were portable toilets (perhaps these are closed in the dark winter months) but they were open at the time of our visit.

These are tiny gripes, though—Harestanes is a belter of a park!

Would you recommend it?

You bet we would! Harestanes Park is a top-notch pick for families with young kids. It’s got the lot: an incredible play park, gorgeous walks, and facilities that make life easy for parents. Whether you’re local or just passing through the Scottish Borders, it’s a no-brainer for a day out.

We’ve been twice already, and if we are in the area again we will return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed at Harestanes Park?

Yep, dogs are welcome on most walks (just not Peniel Heugh). It’s a fab spot for a family ramble with your furry pal.

Is there a picnic area?

Loads of picnic spots around the park—perfect for bringing your own grub. The café’s there too if you fancy a treat.

Is the park accessible for strollers or wheelchairs?

The play park and visitor centre are accessible, and shorter walks like Folly Loch work for strollers. Some paths are a bit bumpy, though, so check your route.

Do they have baby-changing facilities?

 Yes, there’s baby-changing in the toilets—handy for little ones!

Is there an entry fee?

 Nope, it’s free to get in, which makes it even better value.

Pros & Cons

Park enjoyment rating

Last Updated on March 3, 2025 by Ryan