Why Kippford?

Kippford is one of Scotland’s prettiest seaside villages on the shore of the estuary of the River Urr. Just a 15 minute stroll down the hill from the Park, Kippford Village is a charming waterside location. The unusually narrow village is picturesque with its granite and white-washed houses and two lovely pubs both of which are family and dog friendly.

There are numerous things to do in Kippford and the local area including beautiful coastal and forest walks, golf, cycling, fishing and sailing… to name just a few! 

Walking

Kippford & Rockcliffe has a forest and coastal walking area. The round trip takes around 1½ to 2 hours and offers wonderful views, including the ‘Muckle’ and ‘Mote of Mark’, a 5th century hill-fort with marvellous views of the ‘Rough Firth’!

Dalbeattie Forest is continually being upgraded by Forest Enterprise and has a large selection of walks with many fine views, commencing just 300 meters from the Park entrance.

The Sandyhills to Rockcliffe Coastal Path is described as one of the finest coastal paths in Britain, with views over the Solway to Cumbria and the Isle of Man.

For the best walking routes across Dumfries and Galloway check out Walkhighlands.

Golf

Craigieknowes, adjacent to the holiday park, is a scenic 9 hole par 3 course, suitable for golfers of all abilities. This is a surprisingly testing warm up course for experienced golfers, whilst remaining accessible and welcoming to beginners.

Just 3 miles away near Sandyhills beach is Colvend Golf Course, the nearest 18 hole golf course to Kippford.  This picturesque parkland course, with spectacular views over the Solway to the Lakeland Fells and even the Isle of Man, provides an interesting challenge for all abilities. Guests staying at Coastal Kippford can enjoy £5 off their golf round at Colvend Golf Club. Simply let them know when you arrive!

Dalbeattie has its own 9 hole course, and the Championship grade links course at Southerness is only 20 minutes away.

Cycling

Dumfries and Galloway is a cyclist’s paradise. You can Ride the Coast, Ride the Uplands, Ride the South Coast 200 or chose Day Rides.

Dalbeattie Forest, one of the 7stanes is accessed only 300 metres from the Park entrance. In all there are over 17km of cycling trails linking Dalbeattie to Colvend, Sandyhills and Kippford; these three villages being just a short ride outside the Forest itself. Gentle Family Routes are suitable for the whole family, with clearly marked trails.

Fishing

There is a wide variety of fishing available within easy reach of the Park.

  • Rivers, Lochs and Pools: Gorsebank, Barean Loch, Loch Arthur, Buittle Reservoir, Auchenreoch Loch, Mossdale & Woodhall Lochs, River Urr, Loch Rutton, River Fleet, and Loch Ken.
  • Sea: Kippford Beach, Castle Point, and Balcary Point.

Watersports

Kippford Village has a marina and slipway. The Solway Yacht Club has a temporary membership scheme for visiting dingy sailors and has excellent facilities.

If you want to try your hand at Kayaking, Canoeing, Sailing, Windsurfing or Powerboating, Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken is 45 minutes’ drive from the Park.

Driving

The Galloway Tourist Route is a 96 mile driving route that traces the footsteps of Robert Burns and stops by the romantic Gretna Green.

The South West Coastal 300 route is a stunning drive of just over 300 miles providing the opportunity to marvel at our hills, glens, forests and lochs.

Car Hire

Kippford Classic Car Hire allows you to enjoy the roads and scenery of Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland in style.  You can hire a Triumph Herald Convertible or a cute Morris Minor for a minimum of one day.  It’s a wonderful way to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary, or to just treat yourself!

Places to Visit

Family Days Out

Gorsebank Bike Hire

Gorsebank Bike Hire

Bike hire, segway tours & more
Mabie Farm Park

Mabie Farm Park

Adventure & play for all ages
Dalscone Farm Fun

Dalscone Farm Fun

Farm Park & indoor soft play
Dino Park & Soft Play

Dino Park & Soft Play

Southern Scotland’s best dinosaur experience
Drummuir Farm

Drummuir Farm

Ice cream parlour & outdoor play area
Cocoabean Company

Cocoabean Company

Chocolate factory, cafe & play areas
Brighouse Bay Trekking

Brighouse Bay Trekking

Trekking, hacking & tuition
Galloway Activity Centre

Galloway Activity Centre

Family activities all year round
Forrest Estate Experiences

Forrest Estate Experiences

Clay pigeon shooting, deer stalking, fly fishing…

Lovely Small Towns

Castle Douglas

Castle Douglas

The Food Town
Kirkcudbright

Kirkcudbright

The Artists’ Town
Wigtown

Wigtown

The Book Town
Moffat

Moffat

Charming town & frequent winner of the Scotland in Bloom Award
Dumfries

Dumfries

The Market Town

Castles & Gardens

Threave Castle

Threave Castle

Castle Douglas
Threave Gardens

Threave Gardens

Castle Douglas
Drumlanrig Castle

Drumlanrig Castle

Thornhill
Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle

Dumfries
Cardoness Castle

Cardoness Castle

Gatehouse of Fleet
Lochinch Castle & Castle Kennedy Gardens

Lochinch Castle & Castle Kennedy Gardens

Castle Kennedy
MacLellan’s Castle

MacLellan’s Castle

Kirkcudbright
Logan Botanic Garden,

Logan Botanic Garden,

Port Logan
The Garden of Cosmic Speculation

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation

near Dumfries
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme

Gardens Open for Charity
Solway Tours

Solway Tours

Guided historic tours of Dumfries & Galloway

Wildlife Attractions

Kippford Community Nature Reserve

Kippford Community Nature Reserve

48 acres of open land
Mersehead RSPB

Mersehead RSPB

Nature trails, breathtaking scenery & wildlife
Bainloch Deer Park

Bainloch Deer Park

4×4 deer park tour & visitor centre cafe
Red Deer Range Galloway Forest Park

Red Deer Range Galloway Forest Park

Close encounters with the animals
Galloway Red Kite Trail

Galloway Red Kite Trail

Exciting nature watching opportunity
Bellymack Hill Farm

Bellymack Hill Farm

Red Kite Feeding Station
Wild Goat Park Galloway Forest Park

Wild Goat Park Galloway Forest Park

Get up close to friendly goats
Wild Seasons Dumfries & Galloway

Wild Seasons Dumfries & Galloway

Nature news & events
Rockcliffe Nature Reserve

Rockcliffe Nature Reserve

Visit the bird sanctuary on Rough Island
Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve

Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve

Both wetland & woodland to enjoy
Caerlaverock WWT Reserve

Caerlaverock WWT Reserve

A stunning wetland paradise

Places to Eat & Drink

The Mariner Hotel, Bar & Restaurant

The Mariner Hotel, Bar & Restaurant

Kippford
The Anchor Hotel, Bar & Restaurant

The Anchor Hotel, Bar & Restaurant

Kippford
The Ark Tea Room

The Ark Tea Room

Granite Kitchen

Granite Kitchen

Dalbeattie
King’s Arms Hotel

King’s Arms Hotel

Dalbeattie
Laurie Arms Hotel

Laurie Arms Hotel

Haugh of Urr
Cavens Country House

Cavens Country House

Kirkbean
The Steamboat Inn

The Steamboat Inn

Carsethorn
Loch Arthur Creamery, Farm Shop & Cafe

Loch Arthur Creamery, Farm Shop & Cafe

Beeswing
Kilnford Barns Farm Shop & Cafe

Kilnford Barns Farm Shop & Cafe

Dumfries
Sulwath Brewery

Sulwath Brewery

Castle Douglas
Annandale Distillery

Annandale Distillery

Annan

Garden Centres

Dalbeattie Garden Centre

Dalbeattie Garden Centre

Heathhall Garden Centre Dumfries

Heathhall Garden Centre Dumfries

Gardenwise Dumfries

Gardenwise Dumfries

Caulders Garden Centre Hetland Dumfries

Caulders Garden Centre Hetland Dumfries