Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
A wonderful restaurant in the centre of the beautiful Port William. Extremely popular with locals and tourists alike; booking is strongly recommended. Choose from their wide ranging menu, anything from haggis, steak and gammon to prawns, calamari and the catch of the day.
A cosy informal restaurant whose name aptly reflects the impressive castle views which it enjoys. The food is imaginative and personally prepared by the chef proprietor, and served by friendly staff in an unobtrusive manner.
The Smithy specialises in home cooked food using fresh local produce. Their home baking includes a variety of homemade cakes, tray bakes with fruit, plain and cheese scones made fresh daily, as well as homemade soups with a difference.
Fun Days Out
No recommended Fun Days Out found within 30 miles of this property.
Beach
No recommended Beach found within 30 miles of this property.
Biking & Hiking
No recommended Cycling & Hiking found within 30 miles of this property.
Golf & Sports
You can enjoy a great family activity day at GSC, a multi-activity outdoor centre located in south-west Scotland on the beautiful shores of Loch Ken. Activities might include sailing, windsurfing, power boating, kayaking, canoeing, archery, quad biking, mountain biking and climbing.
Nature Reserves
A fascinating wildlife park in a lovely setting of mixed woodland. Conservation of threatened and endangered species is the principle focus of this impressive park, protecting as they do nearly 150 animals. Spend some time in the remarkable enclosures and learn about their habitats.
Gardens & Woodlands
A beautiful park, in the heart of Galloway Forest. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around this beautiful area or simply sit with a good book and a picnic soaking up the stunning scenery. Alternatively spend some time at the excellent visitor centre and pop in for a warm beverage in the tea room.
Logan lies at the South-Western tip of Scotland, and it is unrivalled as the country's most exotic garden. This is a showcase for some truly remarkable flowers.
Local Attractions
The Cocoabean Company is a fun day for all, everyone is assured a fantastic time and will leave wanting to return again and again. At this interactive factory tour you will be given a guided tour and shown how chocolate is made, as well as getting to make your own chocolate and then eating it, you get to taste lots of yummy chocolate as you walk around, and keep your apron. The guides are friendly and informative and are very good at keeping the smaller ones entertained. You can easily pass a day here with the tour and other amenities There is a great outside area with fort and pirate ship that is complete with slides and a play area, or you can pan for gold. In addition there is an indoor soft play area which, is quite large covering many levels and with tunnels and slides for lots of enjoyment. The Cafe is lovely with a great selection of food and drink and all at reasonable prices and the service is very good. The facilities are very clean here and well maintained. You are also able to take a picnic here. There is a factory gift shop where you can buy some delicious treats before leaving. A visit to the Cocoabean Company will assure everyone a great time and you will be very popular with the all the children. A great attraction for all ages, there is something for everyone here. Prices are very reasonable and if visiting with children you only pay for them.
The Scottish Showcase Gallery is in a picturesque spot by the harbour in Kirkcudbright, or "Artist's Town" as it is also known owing to its position on Scotland's breathtaking south west coast. This characteristic building offers an exciting and stylish gallery you will find a find collection of works from artists from all over the country. They focus mainly on the four art schools, colourist artists, atmospheric artists, stylised artists and traditional artists. Throughout the year the gallery focuses on solo artists work and these change on the last Friday of each month, so there is always something new on display here. The atmosphere is relaxed and serene providing the perfect place to view and appreciate the art on display. A lovely gallery with some lovely works, well worth a visit, if just to see the high quality of work on show here.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway dates back to 1876 when it was started by Thomas Lightfoot to benefit from the increasing tourist trade to the Isle of Man, the tram cars are run on a 3ft gauge tramway and are pulled by horses. To this day they continue to be a popular tourist attraction and are a familiar scene on the promenade throughout the summer months, operating daily from mid-May through to mid-September. The majority of the cars are the original ones that are still in use to this day, you will find single decker, double decker and even open toped cars in operation. Not only is it a major tourist attraction but is of historic interest as well, being the oldest remaining Horse Tramway in Britain, in addition to being the only one that has constantly operated since it commenced more than 100 years ago. The trams run frequently and can be boarded at Derby Castle or Victoria Pier, they take you across Douglas Promenade. There are a number of horses that operate the trams, they are all gentle creatures and the tram conductors were really friendly and helpful. A trip on one of these trams takes you back in time and the journey is slow and relaxing and allows you to take in your surroundings and enjoy the ride. Douglas Bay Horse Tramways are an unusual, historic and delightful experience and will delight visitors of all ages, not to be missed if in the Isle of Man.
Historical & Heritage Sites
A fascinating priory to visit, with an extremely long and complex history. Built, re-built, restored, converted and added to over almost sixteen centuries, this age old site has seen its share of worship and war and is well worth a visit. The excellent visitor centre provides information on the architecture, history and religion of the priory over the years.
The Stewartry Museum was first established in 1879 but as it grew it was necessary to move it to new premises in 1893, to hold the growing collections, a special building was constructed for this purpose and it is here that the museum remains to this day. It has undergone improvements and enhancements over the years but still contains its genuine Victorian charm. It is an intimate museum and within you will find a collection that predominantly relates to the social and natural history of the Stewartry or Kirkcudbrightshire as it is also referred to, you will get to learn about the growth and development of the town during your time here. In the permanent collection there is the "Siller Gun", Britain earliest surviving sporting trophy. Also on display are works by local artists. Other items on display include, weapons and tools, rocks and fossils, preserved animals as well as a video relating to the local area. The cases are well laid out and have lots of information relating to the displays and exhibits. It is an interesting and varied museum with lots to see that will entertain all ages. There are activity sheets to occupy the children. The Stewartry Museum is free of charge and open throughout the year, it is located on the first floor and can be accessed by stairs so may not be suitable for all visitors. The Stewartry Museum has an eclectic and varied collection and is certainly worth a visit, has lots to see but won't take a full day, so if in the area stop by and see what is on show.
Broughton House is a lovely 18th century Georgian house that can be found in the centre of Kirkcudbright, it is a true cultural treasure. It was the former home of Scottish painter E A Hornel and the property has been lovingly restored and recreated to how it would have been during his time here. It is a living museum dedicated to the life and works of this talented painter, it shows the alterations he made to the property, and is full of his paintings and those of his colleagues. In addition there is his extensive library that houses one of the world's largest compilations of works by Robert Burns. The house is very interesting from the displays, furniture and art. Downstairs is his studio as well as the heart of the house where the cook and servants ran the house from. However, the big surprise in this house is outside, the stunning gardens back on to the River Dee and are largely inspired by Hornel's fondness of Japan, the garden is full of colour and is a delightful blend of Eastern and Western horticulture, and provide a lovely haven to explore and pretty views of the sea estuary. The guides are friendly and informative and will let you know all about the property and its past owner. Broughton House is highly recommended and you should certainly take the time to see this stunning living museum if visiting the area.
Milntown House and Gardens is situated in 15 acres of formal gardens and woodland, with parts of this beautiful house dating to the 16th century, major renovations and additions were made in the 17th century and the current house is as it was then. The house is of the Gothic Revival style and has many lovely features, the interior is full of character and charm with many original features remaining to this day, it is one of the island's most historic houses. Some of the rooms of interest in the house are the hall, library, dining room, Lady Edward's Apartment, the green bedroom and drawing room. The house and gardens are open from April through to the end of September, with tours of the house taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, booking is advisable as the tours are kept small. The gardens are beautiful and peaceful with many species of plant, trees and shrubs and when they are in full bloom are stunning and the floral aromas are delicious. The pond is a place of peace and tranquillity and it is lovely to just sit here and watch the ducks. They have extended the gardens to include a kitchen garden with much of the produce harvested being used in the restaurant. The Mill is a beautiful stone building with a working wheel it is currently used as a workshop. Tours for the gardens take place monthly. Milntown House is also home to a collection of impressive and beautiful vintage motor cars and motor cycles, with one car dating to 1900, they give a real insight into how much cars have evolved over the years. The Restaurant is open very day except Tuesdays throughout the year and is located in a conservatory that enjoys glorious views of the gardens. The menu is interesting and diverse and uses where possible what is in season and locally sourced products, the result is dishes that are fresh, enticing and delectable. It offers great value for money and the service is excellent. Milntown House and Garden is a lovely setting and if you get the opportunity to do the house and garden tour do, it is a delightful house with a rich and interesting history.