Melrose (Scotland)

Founded in 1136 as a Cistercian abbey, it grew rich and renowned, and a tempting target for every army that passed through. It fell into ruin after the 16th-century Reformation. Several Scots kings and nobles are buried here, and a lead casket buried in the Chapter House contains a heart, believed to be that of King Robert the Bruce.

South flank of the Abbey in what was its walled garden, this has three sections: a garden cultivating herbs and flowers for dried-flower displays, an orchard (with over 70 heritage cultivars), and a woodland. It's run by NTS.

Opposite the abbey and also run by NTS, this is a more formal affair, with lawns, herbaceous borders, and a veg and herb garden. It surrounds a Georgian House, which can be rented, and the Borders Book Festival is held here in June.

Trimontium was a large fort occupied from 79 AD to 184 AD, where many Roman artefacts have been found.

The former home and gardens of the great late Georgian novelist Sir Walter Scott. (Gardens only half-price, dogs welcome.) He earned a fortune from writing, but spent an even bigger fortune extending and extending this place into a grand Baronial mansion, all mock-castellations. He was a huge collector of books, armour and other relics, even today they haven't finished cataloguing them all. His descendants lived here till 2004 but the house is now owned by a trust. The Chapel, added in 1855, has mementoes of the Oxford Anglican movement.

This was founded in 1150 by the Premonstratensians, a monastic order similar to the Cistercians. Built in Gothic style, it often struggled financially: its lands weren't as rich as other abbeys, its patrons had other priorities, and English armies found it burned ever so well. It ceased to function by the end of the 16th century and fell into ruin. Sir Walter Scott and Field Marshal Earl Haig are buried here.

Walled rose garden, a riot of colour and scent. The house is a grand Georgian mansion but has no tours.

Built from the 16th century but greatly extended in the 17th and 19th, this is a grand mansion set in parkland. You see the interior by guided tour. The scraps of its 13th century predecessor can be seen a mile away. It often stages events such as show-jumping, open air theatre and classic car rallies.