At the end of a long and taxing walk - maybe the 268-mile Pennine Way or the slightly lighter 62-mile St Cuthbert's Way - there's no more welcome sight than a warm and friendly establishment serving delicious, top-quality food. And even if you don't stumble across this delightful family-run hotel as a walker, there's plenty to merit a special visit. The four-star Border Hotel has been voted CAMRA pub of the year for the Scottish Borders in both 2009 and 2010, and boasts listings both in The Good Pub Guide and the Good Beer Guide. This is not surprising when you consider the delicious standard of food and drink on offer, set in the stunning context of the Scottish Borders.

The menu changes throughout the year according to what's in season, reflecting a desire for both freshness and creativity and making use of their large selection of local suppliers. The chef proprietor has a team of local chefs and 25 years' experience of running successful pubs in the Lake District behind him, continuing a family legacy. Even the lengthy wine list is carefully and regularly rotated to match the season's flavours. If wine is not your thing, try something from the wide range of local real ales. The long summer evenings come with generous servings of farmhouse cider and jugs of Pimms in the beer garden; keep off the winter chill with mulled wine by the roaring log fire in the bar.

The Border Hotel is family-friendly, with toys and a playhouse for children, has a function room available for weddings and birthdays and is a perfect base for shooting and fishing. This is a highly popular venue offering exquisite cuisine, so booking is essential to avoid disappointment.