Hawick has won the "Beautiful Scotland in Bloom Contest" 16 times, and sits in picturesque Teviotdale. It is the largest town in the Borders, and is famous for the quality of its knitwear, with names like Pringle and Lyle and Scott being known worldwide.

The Hawick Common Riding takes place in June each year, and commemorates yet another skirmish between the English and the Scots. This occurred in 1514, when some Hawick men beat off English soldiers camped near the town and captured their banner.

A disagreement of a different kind took place in the mid 1990s, when two women riders tried to join what had traditionally been an all-male occasion. Their participation provoked hostile opposition, even from some women. It took a court case to establish that women had the right to join in, though even today some people still tolerate their presence rather than welcome it.

St Mary's Parish Church was built in 1763, and replaced an earlier, 13th century church.

The town's oldest building is the 16th century Drumlanrig's Tower. In 1570 it survived a raid by English troops which destroyed the rest of Hawick, and was once a typical moated L-shaped Borders tower house before the area between the two "legs" was filled in. At one time it belonged to the Douglases of Drumlanrig, in Dumfriesshire, and it was here that Anna, Duchess of Buccleuch, and wife of the executed Duke of Monmouth, once stayed. The basement was later used as a prison, and finally a wine cellar when it became a hotel. Now the tower has been restored and houses an exhibition gallery.

The award-winning Wilton Lodge Park sits by the banks of the Teviot, and has 107 acres of riverside walks, gardens, a tropical glasshouse and recreational facilities. Within it is the Hawick Museum and Scott Art Gallery, which explains the history of the town and its industries. The gallery has a collection of 18th and 19th century Scottish paintings, and regularly hosts exhibitions of works by local and national artists.

Many of the mills in the town, such as Peter Scott and Company in Buccleuch Street and Wrights of Trowmill have visitor centres and guided tours.

The Hawick Cashmere Company, based in Mills in Duke Street, has a viewing gallery and shop.

The town is also famous for rugby, and has the benefit of a range of good sporting and Leisure Center facilities including, swimming pool, squash, a modern gym, etc there are many fine golf courses throughout the area, and abundant salmon, trout and course fishing.

Many events are held in the town during the year, including the annual Common Riding in June and the Reivers Festival at Easter.

Kielder Water is a 30-minute ride away with its sailing, water sports, walking, cycling and bird watching.