YHA Berwick

Stay the night in the Leaning Tower of Berwick! Following a devastating fire in the early 19th century, the town's riverside grain warehouse was never quite the same again and acquired a definite 'lean' – it's all part of the charm at the classy refurbished building that now serves as both hostel, cafe and art gallery.

Rooms are budget hotel in style and execution – keycard doors, wet-room shower and loo, coordinated beds and bedding – and there's a decent mix of smaller rooms for two or three people and larger ones for families and friends. They're all en-suite, which is a real bonus, and you get a peaceful night's sleep – the ever-present seagulls notwithstanding! Elsewhere, it's a spacious, open-plan feel throughout, from attic lounge and self-catering kitchen to ground-floor atrium with a cafe-bar, and there's a sheltered courtyard for an al fresco drink. Comedy and live-music nights add to the atmosphere, and it's great to be able to come back to the hostel for a nightcap after a night on the town.

Step outside and you're right on the River Tweed, perfectly sited for walks around Berwick's famous defensive walls and elegant mansions, with the excellent Maltings arts centre only a minute or two away too.