Any suggestions for a place to meet South Scotland - 1 hr-ish from Carlisle

[catlikefi]

I need to pick the brains of the Scottish Mumsnet contingent please! My in-laws are driving up from Devon for a half term holiday in the Lake District. Normally we would have gone to stay with them or they might have come to us but obviously current restrictions prevent that.

I need to find somewhere we can meet for a walk/cafe stop somewhere roughly halfway, so about an hour north of Carlisle as that would be less than two hours drive for both of us.

Needs to be somewhere with a cafe as we'll have little kids with us (including our new 8 week old daughter - we would love them to meet her).

Can anyone suggest anywhere that might work? It's not an area I'm particularly familiar with and I am struggling to come up with ideas.

Many thanks in advance 😁👍🏻🙂

No idea where the grimacing face came from sorry!

Dumfries area?

Where are you driving from? Do you mean south of Carlisle?

Sorry I wasn't very clear. They're driving up from the Lakes, we're driving south from Perth & Kinross. So I'm trying to find somewhere with a cafe roughly halfway....

@Dollywood. Do you know the area well? Is there anywhere specific you can think of?

How about Biggar, got some nice shops 1h 30 from Penrith and perth

Scottish Borders? Abbotsford is an hour and a half from Carlisle. Walks round the estate are buggy friendly. Cafe with outside covered balcony. Need to book table in advance and historic house if you fancied it.

Harestanes, outside park and walks. Indoor cafe with picnic benches outside.

Wilton Park - Hawick. Large well kept park / grounds, kids playpark and cafe with outside picnic benches.

Moffat? Nice wee town, just off the M74. Plenty of cafes and tea rooms.

@Rubytinsleslippers Lots of great suggestions there, thank you so much!

@RaspberryCoulis I was just looking at Moffat actually. Green Frog garden centre looks like a possible option for a lunch stop and lots of walks nearby.

And don't forget a visit to the Moffat toffee shop...

@WaxOnFeckOff Wait...what? Runs off to google Moffat toffee shop

Good idea as it's difficult to choose when you are in there and I always panic and get the same thing every time :)

Be careful of motorbikes on the road down as its a popular route.

I'd also add that I would have just gone to the lakes. The rules there still allow for 2 households I think?

We are just back from a few days there, was just our household but student DS and his girlfriend would have been welcome to come if it hadn't been a bit far.

No suggestion to give, but the logical thing to me is to meet anywhere you like SOUTH of the border.
What is south of Gretna?

What is south of Gretna?

Carlisle and swiftly the North Lakes . That would be 3 plus hours from Perthshire I would think. Moffat is in the Borders so would be similar restriction to Perthshire.

@WaxOnFeckOff We normally would go down and spend a couple of days with them but we've only got a day this time and want to limit car time for the 8 week old. Moffat seems the best choice, almost exactly halfway. Thanks for your suggestions (esp. toffee shop )

There used to be swan boats down by the water, not sure if they are still there normally but guess they will be finished for the year anyway.

I was about to say that the last part of the journey takes you past the devils beef tub and the source of the tweed but think actually you'll be quicker coming down the M74 - a bit smoother for the wee ones too I guess - or was just my DS1 that puked anytime we ventured off the motorway?