I am travelling from N Irleand at the end of June, docking at Stranraer in Scotland. Wondering where in Scotland or North West/North East England would be good for 4 or 5 days camping(tent) with two kids who are 3 and 6. Have had a brief look and the likes of Park Foot in Cumbria has caught my eye. Any advice greatly appreciated
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The Dumfries and Galloway area is terrific - beautiful and with some nice family attractions. You pass through this area as you drive east from Stranraer. Once you hit the motorway you could head north to Loch Lomond area, south for Cumbria or further east for the Borders region.
Depends how far you want to drive, really. I'd suggest staying in D&G. It's an area people often drive through on the way to somewhere else, but it's really worth exploring. Fuel's not cheap, so why spend cash and time going too far?
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now you've got me thinking!!! My original thought was to head for the lake district. I'm happy to drive 100 - 150 miles but then again mightnt need to if theres plenty to see and do in D & G. Definitely food for thought
Viggo, I agree with you, we live at Carlisle and we go for weekends to Hoddom castle in D & G rather than the lakes. You get ripped off parking in the lakes, as well as food, shops etc. D & G has so much to offer, lovely beach at Powfoot near Annan, as well as coves all the way up the coast. Kirkkudbright is lovely as is Dumfries, just outside Dumfries is Maybee Farm Park, idea for a day out, animals, tractor rides, go carts, hill slides, picnic area or cafe. ENJOY
I live in Dumfries and i would reccommend D&G loads of things for you and your kids to see and do.
I could reccommend a few sites for you but if you give me more info such as beach forest loads todo or a quiets site. Here are a few to get you started have a look at brighouse bay cracking big site has loads to do like swimming £6 for a family of 4 loads of nature walks and not far from cream of galloway (ice cream farm/factory) which the kids would love as it has a big adventure park.
You could try Hoddam lovely site has everything you need but bit quieter.
Powfoot again a lovely site bit quieter but right on the beach.
If you opt for D&G let me know and i will give you loads of info on days out for the kids that wont cost the earth.
folks, that all sounds great and could save me a bit of a drive. Really just looking for a site with a playground and enough to keep me(and more importantly the Kids) entertained for a few days - both indoor and out depending on the weather. Somewhere with bike hire would be good, and would be nice if swimming, cinema, adventure park near by. Brighouse bay sounds spot on
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I would recommend Brighouse Bay as well - great place to stay and the surrounding area has lots to do and see.
The pool is lovely and the childrens playground really good. The shwes and toilet blocks are very nice. there's also horse riding and golf. It's right a the end of the road (so no traffic) and sits right on it's own bay - rock pooling and sand. Kirkcubright is a nice little town too and the wild animal park is a nice day out.
We live in Cumbria too and would stay in D&G over the Lakes anytime - manily because as already said you don't get the crowds and the traffic and the rip of tourist prices everywhere.
Gerry was a great help to us when we visited D&G - had some nice days out that didn't break the bank on his suggestions.
Gerry I had a look at Brighouse Bay and it seems to tick all the right boxes. Also had a look at Maybie Farm and Cream o Galloway which both look good. Any other suggestions welcome but looks like I'll be camping at my Celtic cousins!!! (and it saves me 120 mile round trip to the Lake District )
Both mabie park farm and cream of galloway great days out prefer cream of galloway as you can get awesome ice cream.
If you go into Kirkcudbright about 5 miles from Brighouse they have a wildlife park/zoo only a small one but ideal for your kids ages and kids get to feed the animals if there at feeding time.
If you want to come to Dumfries for the day try Dalscone farm right on the A75 and if you drive about 7 miles south of Dumfries you have Dalton pottery this is a great place kids can pick a pot or other item they then paint it and gets put in the oven kids love it and pots/tiles start from a few £ also has a cafe and small play area but for a great lunch try the garden centre before the pottery great.
Dumfries also has a museum and camara obscurer all museums in D&G are free but pay for cam obscurer. There is also DG1 pool complex in Dumfries kids go free on a sat morning.
The best activity of all acording to my daughter when she was about 8 now 12 is going down to the beach at brighouse collecting stones and bringing them back to paint while dad watches with a cold magners so take some paints with you you will be amazed at the time the kids spend doing this.
Any more info or if you see something you want to know about just ask.
Gerry
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Another vote for Brighouse Bay.......I'm heading there on Friday my daughter loves the play area and visiting Cream of Galloway.....and I love the fantastic Polarbites fish and chips in Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright has a whole summer long festival (scottish school hols) and there is always lots to do for free. Having had a gran living there I spent every summer there for a few weeks when groing up, your children will love it. Brighouse Bay is a mice campsite, though a little expensive if you don't want to spend too much but there are others available locally too.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camps in Scotland/ NW or NE England?
my daughter loves the play area and visiting Cream of Galloway.....and I love the fantastic Polarbites fish and chips in Kirkcudbright 
