40 Best Stops Between Sligo and Newcastle upon Tyne
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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
How long is the drive from Sligo to Newcastle upon Tyne?
The direct drive from Sligo to Newcastle upon Tyne is 343 mi (552 km), and should have a drive time of 8 hrs 33 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Sligo to Newcastle upon Tyne, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Belfast, Keswick, Derry, Hexham, Carlisle, Ayr, Ambleside, Dumfries, Enniskillen, and Newcastle, as well as top places to visit like Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and Dean Castle Country Park, or the ever-popular House of Manannan.
The top cities between Sligo and Newcastle upon Tyne are Belfast, Keswick, Derry, Hexham, Carlisle, Ayr, Ambleside, Dumfries, Enniskillen, and Newcastle. Belfast is the most popular city on the route. It's 3 hours from Sligo and 6 hours from Newcastle upon Tyne.
Enniskillen, situated in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, is the most populous town with a population of 13,823 as per the 2011 Census. Located between Lough Erne's Upper and Lower parts, it is centrally positioned in the county.
4% as popular as Belfast
0 minutes off the main route, 12% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Londonderry, also known as Derry, is a Northern Irish city situated on the River Foyle. The city is renowned for its well-preserved 17th-century walls, complete with seven gates. St. Columb's Cathedral within the walls exhibits artefacts from the Siege of Derry in 1688–9 while the neo-Gothic red sandstone Guildhall boasts huge stained-glass windows.
14% as popular as Belfast
16 minutes off the main route, 20% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
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Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is known for its association with RMS Titanic. The city has a revamped dockyard area called Titanic Quarter that comprises the Titanic Belfast museum, Harland & Wolff’s Drawing Offices and the Titanic Slipways. These locations now host open-air concerts and offer a glimpse into the legacy of one of history's most infamous ships. Visitors can explore Belfast as part of day tours that also include attractions like Giants Causeway and Dark Hedges on Northern Ireland Coast.
Most popular city on this route
3 minutes off the main route, 29% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Located in County Down, Northern Ireland, Newcastle is a charming coastal town that boasts a population of 7,672 inhabitants as per the 2011 Census. Positioned at the base of Slieve Donard - the tallest mountain among the Mourne Mountains - and abutting the Irish Sea, this scenic destination offers sandy beaches along with lush forests and awe-inspiring peaks. The town is celebrated for its picturesque surroundings and natural beauty.
3% as popular as Belfast
32 minutes off the main route, 29% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Ayr, a charming town on the southwest coast of Scotland, is known for its rich history as a former royal burgh. As the administrative center of South Ayrshire Council and the historic county town of Ayrshire, it boasts a population of 46,982, making it the 15th largest settlement in Scotland.
10% as popular as Belfast
26 minutes off the main route, 66% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
I'll never travel to Newcastle upon Tyne without this trip planner again
Dumfries, a market town and former royal burgh in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, is situated near the mouth of the River Nith on the Solway Firth. As the county town of Dumfriesshire, it boasts a rich history and is renowned for its connections with Robert Burns. The town features attractions such as the Theatre Royal, Dumfries Museum, and various parks.
7% as popular as Belfast
2 minutes off the main route, 78% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Ambleside, a charming town in Cumbria, England, is nestled within the Lake District National Park and offers easy access to Windermere, England's largest natural lake. The town boasts an array of shops, restaurants, and hotels for visitors to enjoy. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to scenic trails and rocky hills, including the impressive Stock Ghyll Force waterfall. Additionally, sailing opportunities abound with public ferry services and boat rentals available seasonally.
15% as popular as Belfast
46 minutes off the main route, 80% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Keswick, a charming market town nestled in the Lake District National Park of northwest England, offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Visitors can explore the Cumberland Pencil Museum and Keswick Museum & Art Gallery to delve into local heritage. The ancient Castlerigg Stone Circle and the picturesque Derwent Water lake provide opportunities for outdoor adventures and scenic boat tours. Additionally, golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Keswick Golf Club's course with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
27% as popular as Belfast
38 minutes off the main route, 81% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Carlisle, a city in Cumbria, England, is the county town and administrative hub of the City of Carlisle district. Situated 8 miles south of the Scottish border, it is often referred to as a "border city". The meeting point of rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril adds to its geographical significance.
10% as popular as Belfast
5 minutes off the main route, 85% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Hexham, a charming market town in Northumberland, England, sits on the picturesque south bank of the River Tyne. It serves as a bustling hub for hikers and cyclists exploring the surrounding rolling hills, woodlands, and riverside paths. The town's proximity to Hadrian's Wall makes it an ideal base for delving into Roman history. Visitors can explore Hexham Abbey with its impressive 12th-century Early English Gothic architecture and delve into the crypt adorned with ancient Roman inscriptions.
13% as popular as Belfast
3 minutes off the main route, 94% of way to Newcastle upon Tyne
Best stops along Sligo to Newcastle upon Tyne drive
The top stops along the way from Sligo to Newcastle upon Tyne (with short detours) are Windermere, National Trust - Cragside, and Derwentwater. Other popular stops include Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre, Vindolanda, and The Bowes Museum.
The House of Manannan is an interactive museum that delves into the local Celtic, Viking, and maritime heritage. The museum features films, articles, models, and a replica long ship that showcases all ages of the Isle of Man's history. It covers local industry and famous people but lacks information on TT racing. The museum has a great coffee shop and gift shop with quality items available for purchase. Visitors can access all three floors via lifts if needed.
Great museum, with not just stuff on walls but actual themed rooms with videos spread out and interactive bits for kids. You could easy spend at least half a day here
Jarrod Hunt — Google review
First visit since 2007; looking a bit tired in places now but still a good visit.
Love the early Manx history particularly and the immersive Peel experience.
The story of Odin’s raven is worth learning about if nothing else.
Lovely little coffee shop inside too with bonnag and other treats!
Laura — Google review
The House of Manannan is a museum in Peel in the Isle of Man. It is named after the "great mythological sea god" Manannan and covers the island's Celtic, Viking, and Maritime history.
There is a lot to see here and there are many audio visual displays. Some were not good. I was a bit underwhelmed by the number of viking dummies there were. Young children might enjoy this but it was very old fashioned. Technology moves on so fast. I needed a tea break around half way but couldn't find an escape route around the half way mark. OK on a rainy day.
Tea shop was very nice and staff were lovely. There is a large car park with over flow at the rear of the Museum.
It is free to National Trust and English Heritage members
Christopher Watkins — Google review
The House of Manannan is an awesome Isle of Man museum. We have been few times over the years when visiting. Great overview of the islands history from the vikings to today. the layout, artifacts, displays, and videos are all great and walk you through the timeline. We love it!
Marcus O'Reilly — Google review
If you like history, want to learn about the IOM and don't mind sitting through lots of video footage then this is the place for you. It's very well done with films, articles models and a great replica long ship. Covers all the ages, local industry and famous folk. Bit lacking in on TT info but then there are plenty of other sources for that. Good coffee shop and nice quality gift shop. Three floors but served by lifts for less able. Takes around two hours if you take time to read and watch the films.
Leigh Harrison — Google review
As a visitor to the island for the first time, the interactive tour gave me a great overview of the islands history. Take your time. Only £12 entry, but if you also visit Peel Castle get the tourist pack for £25. Better value as it saves money.
Adrian Davies — Google review
Took my daughter to the house of mannanam..been here before with my other kids .it's brilliant well worth a visit to learn about the history of our island and how the vikings made this place there home and left their mark...Lots to see and do ..the cafe is great lots of choice ...
Mary Theresa McGeown — Google review
The House of Manannan is a beautiful trip into the past when viking culture was predominant in this part of the world. Visiting this museum is a must-see for anyone visiting Isle of Man.
Andre Baya — Google review
Pretty well done. Great historical information. Only downside is some location’s are difficult to hear recording because recordings overlap from one location to the other.
Brenda Dailey — Google review
A brilliant introduction to the history of the Isle of Man in such an engaging way. Lively and interactive. Plus such welcoming staff.
Michael Smith — Google review
We had a wonderful day looking around the House of Manannan. The story of the island from the vikings to present day with the ferries was very interesting and was nicely presented with characters and audio’s . Cafe and toilets on site. We would definitely return.
Teresa Halliday — Google review
An absolute gem of a museum in peel. Most of the exhibits are walk through recreations taking you back in time, from pre-history, the Vikings and later. Some of the areas are interactive allowing you to choose the next item to talk about. A lift is available to all 3 floors with plenty of toilets around. Would suit all ages and great for a family afternoon out (all inside if typical British weather). Ticket options available and free for some other heritage card holders. Staff are friendly and helpful in the shop/ticket office and ready for any questions. A cafe is attached to the museum with a good selection of drinks and snacks.
Andrew Lickley — Google review
Very well presented and interesting. One of the best museums I've been to, and I've been to a lot. Covers the history of the Isle of Man from 1st settlers to early 19th century. Excellent.
Paul Rane — Google review
Where else can you see an amazing piece of art like this Viking ship and occupants coming through the front window of the building?!? We did not have enough time to appreciate this before they closed for the day so I recommend getting an early start so you have plenty of time to walk through. The exhibits are scenes and each is very detailed. If we get to come back I will plan to spend 2 hours here to get the full experience.
Joy Tear — Google review
A great little museum that is bigger and better than expected. Lovely staff and interesting exhibits about the island and its history
Jeff Sayle — Google review
4.6
(796)
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4.5
(704)
Station Pl, Peel, Isle of Man IM5 1AT, Isle of Man
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is a museum that houses manuscripts, books, artefacts and artwork related to the poet Robert Burns. The museum is located in the cottage where Burns was born and spent his early years. The Museum features humourous audio and visual performances which will keep children amused. If you want to explore the birthplace of one of Scotland's national bards, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is an excellent place to start.
Run by National Trust and free to members. It costs £11.50 for other people to visit. This provides access to the museum and cottage. You can see the cottage where Robert Burns lived and follow a trail to the museum. Along the trail are sculptures relating to Robert Burns. You can also see Alloway Auid Kirk, the church yard where Robert's parents are buried which is free to enter. There is also a Burns monument and gardens which are worth a visit and are free to enter. There is also a Brig O Doon bridge worth visiting for the views along the river. The museum contains Robert Burns work and stories of his life.
Lynn Higgins — Google review
We visited Robert Burns' birthplace in June and then walked over to the museum.
Really interesting places to visit, with a lovely sculpture trail in between.
As National Trust members, we got into both properties for free.
The gift shop has lots of great things to buy, from books to chocolates, fridge magnets to stationary.
Tara Sanders — Google review
We were very impressed. The museum was excellent. Loved the way it was laid out and appropriate for all ages. Beautiful modern building. Excellent cafe and shop. Grounds were lovely with an interesting walk to the cottage. All very well maintained and informative.
Lesley Wearmouth — Google review
Museum is interesting, if a little darkly lit. The cottage was the best bit. The village is beautiful and the church and bridge are worth the walk. We enjoyed our day. The shop has some nice gifts.
Lunch in the cafe was really disappointing, waited ages for burnt toast and rock hard poached eggs, but we thought maybe they are struggling to get staff at the moment.
Debbie Aske-Harris — Google review
Nice way to while away an hour or so, not a huge amount to learn but some interesting snippets. If you are a big Burns fan you will probably love it! Fab little tea room and park and nice walks to other attractions
Dalla2 — Google review
This National Trust site is about Robert Burns’ life. It’s a very lovely, modern museum and building. The museum is topical rather than linear, but gives a view of his life and works. (I wish there was a life timeline but otherwise very nice.) It takes around 30 minutes at a moderate pace, and is a bit dark but with plenty of seating on edges.
Facilities also include gift shop, clean toilets, a kids area outside, and lovely large cafe.
Note: The museum ticket also includes the cottage a 5-7 minute walk away.
Becky T — Google review
Lovely place. Lots of great displays in museum and well stocked shop with books, fabrics and things for the kids.
Cheerfully received at reception.
Enjoyed the grounds and looking at the Monument and the 'Brig' where Tam O' Shanter rode away! Cottage was a few minutes away from centre and easily accessible. Interesting tour of Cottage given by the guide.
While there you can have a decent snack meal or cake in their café. All in all we enjoy this place. Recommend a visit. Have been twice already with our National Trust membership.
Martin Pond — Google review
This museum is very well laid out and has a very varied amount of exhibits and information about Robert Burns.
Plus the cottage where he was born is just 10min walk or 2min drive along the road is also worth a visit.
Both places have a free car park.
The museum also has a gift shop and cafe.
Steve Allchin — Google review
Going into the museum you have to pay.. its not free.. there is a shop and a tea room and an outside to eat and drink while you sat and watch your children play in the playing area. Further round the corner there is a Beautiful monument about Robert Burns and Tam O'Shanta that, its a lovely area to walk around and admire the scenery and the Brig O Doon too. That is free to walk about.
Robert Clelland (Rab) — Google review
Displays in the museum are excellent as are facilities, the cottage, Brigg o Doon and memorial etc. Cafe restaurant, shopping and toilet facilities were second to none. Lovely day spent just wandering, viewing, thinking, imagining and remembering with love of Burns and Scotland.
William Murray — Google review
Modern museum with a nice, very busy cafe. Many interesting Burns original letters and documents, but the handwriting and dim lighting (necessary for preservation) make them hard to read - transcriptions should really be supplied. Worth combining with Burns Cottage, Monument, Auld Kirk and the Brig o' Doon for the full experience.
Simon Ongeri — Google review
Everything about the Bard himself all under one roof. There is access to the cottage where he spent his early life included in the entry price too and its a short walk away. There is a good selection of goods in the shop and a very generous sized cafe all with disabled / pram access. Large outdoor play area for the children.
lynne mellstrom — Google review
Very informative museum with great interactive things for the kids. Play area was good for kids of all ages outside and the cafe looked nice and was busy. Short walk to the Brigadoon bridge and monument, where you can climb to the top and and enjoy views over the area. Can walk from here to the Burns cottage via the Poets Path as well. Parking was free and toilets on site
Mighty Red80 — Google review
Visited while staying with family for the weekend, will definitely be back! Museum is great, loads of interesting artifacts and interactive displays. Nice touches for children, ours had fun with the interactive games and colouring.
The walks around the various places within the village are lovely and I didn't realise there was so much to see before coming here! We had a yummy lunch and then went out to the kids play area, which is very imaginative, then headed back in for a warming hot chocolate. I even managed to pick up my first Christmas decoration purchase of the year! Thanks for a lovely afternoon.
Tammy Gray — Google review
Interesting exhibition with original manuscripts but dark inside to protect them. Audio options allows you to hear songs and poems. Good cafe on site. Walk to Burns cottage, ruined church and graveyard, and BRIG O Doon part of the visit
June Morrison — Google review
Very nice museum and external area. Place offering a lot of information in interesting and interactive way. Full immersion in old Scottish language. Handy and spacious is also Cafe on site where visitor can have a rest with cup of tea or other delicacies. Entrance fee was 11.50 GBP for adult person. Along with the places around like park, church, bridge and cottage, I would recommend the visit.
Katka I. (Kappa) — Google review
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway extends to encompass a few sites of interest, including the house that Burns was born in. The museum itself is housed in a modern purpose built facility which features exhibits from various sources, not necessarily always owned by Burns himself, to illustrate his life. For instance, the museum exhibits the earliest known English guitar, an instrument that Burns was know to play. The centre has a fully equipped cafeteria for indoor and outdoor eating, and the entrance fee includes admission to Burns' house some 10 minutes walk along the road.
Steve Galloway — Google review
Lovely centre with information about Robert Burns and his life. Occasional events and displays worth visiting. Roomy cafe with lovely carrot cake and hot drinks. Pleasant helpful staff.
Susan Montgomerie — Google review
Every display and area is meticulously kept and walking the grounds and surrounding area was most enjoyable. Plenty of parking available with ample and clean toilets. Staff was extremely warm and welcoming. A must experience! Don’t forget to look up when you enter the first room!
Betta Rautio — Google review
4.5
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4.5
(1159)
Murdoch's Lone, Alloway, Ayr, KA7 4PQ, United Kingdom
Nestled in the heart of Kilmarnock, Dean Castle Country Park spans over 200 acres and offers something for everyone. Visitors can explore scenic trails winding through woodland, open farmland, and wetland areas. The park also features a 14th-century castle museum surrounded by beautifully restored landscapes designed in the early 1900s. With a superb program of events, art galleries, and exhibitions, this friendly tourist attraction is perfect for families.
What a beautiful place. Sadly, the kids park was out of bounds when we visited, but there was still plenty to keep us interested. I'm on crutches, and really had to walk a lot (too much actually) after parking the car. It would be useful if we could maybe hire disability scooters? The disabled toilet was impressive, with a hoist & shower, and changing table for larger kids/adults. The wee cafe is quite reasonably priced which we appreciated. We'd definitely recommend a visit, esp on a dry day! Take some bird seed, or grapes for ducks. ❤
Lindsey Harper — Google review
The car park is ok size but can get really busy at lunch time. The castle is closed for refurbishment but it is due to reopen on the 1 of April 2023. The paths round the park are well looked after. They are a bit muddy in places but that more to do with the weather. There is 3 different walking routes you can choose from. All are very easy with only minor hills to walk up. The play park is quite small and has the usual swings,shoots,one person trampoline etc. The rural life centre is beside the park and the toilets are in here as well. Also in the centre is information about how they farm the land and environmental issues. There is a few animals you can see from goats/pigs/sheep/deer's. There is a cafe across from the car park and the price's are quite reasonable. You can also find other toilets here.
John Rundell — Google review
Great day out for the family in a well maintained park with free entry to the castle.
Public toilets and a cafe are also on hand.
Lots to see and do including duck pond and farm zoo.
Good for dog walkers also
stephen kostric — Google review
Beautiful park and beautiful castle. Free to enter and loads to do. Great for all ages and nice for walk around. I also believe there park run in this place. Definitely recommended to visit if you are here for a quick trip and touring Scotland.
Rahman Amin — Google review
It was a fantastic sunny day and we thought we would go a walk to Dean Park. On arrival we went to the cafe for lunch and a drink which was excellent. We then left the cafe to go on our adventure, seeing the animals, playing in the park which was clean and tidy, having lots of fun in the process. Will definitely be back keep up the great work everyone. Thank you.
anna richmond — Google review
Stopped here for lunch on our way to Ayr.
Free parking.
Nice food and tea/ latte.
Toilets also.
Castle was really good and lots to explore.
Member of staff there was very friendly and told us lots of the castle's history.
The park itself is great and has lots of paths.
I highly recommend going here.
Stew Walker — Google review
We came to the park in June hoping to walk around and see the exterior of the building, as we'd read the castle was closed. So it was a nice surprise to find that we could go into the castle...for free! We made a donation though as it was such a great experience; learning about this history of the area, the families who lived here, seeing tapestries and war materials (armour, swords) from over the centuries and around the world with some recreated pieces too, you could go upstairs in the castle as well as the lower floor. A really interesting place with helpful room guide volunteers.
We walked around a little of the gardens and saw the deers.
An easy place to visit and park, very quiet on a week day, and all for free!
Highly recommended.
Tara Sanders — Google review
Lovely park, with castle, river, lake playgrounds, animal petting farm and nice walks. Really nice,would recommend
Stuart Wilson — Google review
We only visited here to break up a journey but looks like a fab place to go regularly. Loads of space, walks, a kids playground, pigs, ducks, deer and squirrels. Wish we had more time to explore. The castle itself was closed. I would love to see around it!
Louise McGann — Google review
The visit to this park was really worth it. Loved the environment though couldn’t do much as it was raining heavily which made the place wet and annoying. The animals were also nowhere to be found. I was only able to see some deers. Also wanted to visit the castle there but discovered it was undergoing renovations to be opened in the spring of 2023. So generally I didn’t have a good first experience not because the park isn’t great but possibly cuz of the time I visited. Would definitely go back during summer
Sandra Chioma-Wodu — Google review
Excellent and Free. Very well kept park/ grounds. Lovely walks. Good playpark and enjoyed seeing the deer and pigs. Castle really interesting. Staff friendly and helpful. Cafe good too. Easy parking.
Cath i — Google review
Great to get into the castle and explore this amazing venue. You get good hands on experiences as you can dress up, search for the hidden door and explore the musical Instruments that are there too. A great construction of the castle in Lego for the kids.
Pay a visit to the wee gift shop, beautiful stuff! 👍🏻😘 🏘️🏰
Jean Hamilton — Google review
We had a great night at the Starry nights illuminations.
When we arrived no queues to enter. Well marked trail.
Plenty of food options at kiosks and undercover seating.
Kids loved the fake snow, disco and the snow man. Park looking stunning. Carnival rides too.
Check out their website before arriving for parking options, as only blue badges in the venue car park. Photo s don't give a true reflection of how good it looks.
Kim Stevenson — Google review
We took my grandson to the winter wonderland event. It was good but not great to be honest. The main light show against the castle not on, some lights not working properly and the parking was a nightmare. You had to park in nearby neighbourhood which the residents must have hated.
Lesley Aitken — Google review
Stunning area. Whole family loved it. Tranquil setting, deers were very visitor friendly and tame. Superb cafe, good value too. Castle and grounds looked great. Playground for kids was really good. Recommended.
David F — Google review
Lovely place to visit, if its been raining, wear appropriate footwear. Castle 🏰 is beautiful, stary nights on Christmas time, amazing for children as santa 🤶 🧑🎄 ❤️ is their, lots of rides and amazing light shows, they can even have a wee dance off 😀 places to eat are expensive, bit Christmas happens only once 😆 🤣 Lovely for couples as the light shows are amazing.
Grinch is defenetly the favourite 😍 ✨️ 💕 he is a big softy at heart ❤️
Defenetly worth a visit, plenty of things to see.
Mary Miller — Google review
Visited during Christmas season at Starry Nights . Park was well organised and beautiful to walk through. Occasion was on the pricey side with purchasing extras but nobody seemed to mind as it was Christmas.
Christine Hughes — Google review
A really lovely place to visit when the sun is out. There are three different trails that you can follow or you can just go to visit the castle, rural life centre, and visitor centre (which are both free!).
The walks were different lengths and not too strenuous but very scenic. The castle is so marvellous and has many different sections that you can explore, such as the palace, the keep, etc. (It is hard to believe it is free entry!). The rural life centre has some deer, bunnies, and a pig, all of which were fun to see! On the farm trail you can see more animals, like sheep, goats and horses. The visitor centre has a nice little cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, and the prices are great. There are a good number of free toilets and bins around the park which many places lack, so I praise Dean Country Park for this!
The only downside to this visit was that the map and directions can be very confusing at times and I often got lost. I think the map could be a lot clearer and include smaller paths and bridges.
Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone, from couples to families with young children, there is fun to be had here for everyone! If you go in the spring, the lambs and ducklings will be out.
Dumfries House is an impressive Palladian mansion built by the Adam brothers in the 1750s, set within a sprawling country estate. This architectural gem boasts exceptional preservation with Prince Charles taking personal interest in its protection. The house has a stunning collection of Chippendale furniture, tapestries and artworks on display for visitors to admire through guided tours, which can be booked in advance. Historic Environment Scotland members benefit from discounted entry fees.
Lots of nice walks to take. Lovely play area for the kids. Didn't do a tour of the house as there was a wedding. Grounds of the house are lovely too. Cafe was very nice and very well priced too.
Abby D — Google review
Wonderful place to visit. Gardens are lovely and well maintained. Plenty of open space to enjoy walks and sit to enjoy the atmosphere and tranquility in certain sections of the gardens.
Recommend taking your own picnic/ lunch as cafe is small / not much seating and not adequate to deal with large crowds arriving at same time . Toilet facilities are available however more toilets would benefit the public as there was large ques waiting to use toilets. Fantastic family day out can be had at Dumfries House highly recommended
Christine Hughes — Google review
Very pleasantly surprised. The parking and the grounds are free to visitors: there's a charge for a guided tour of the house only. The house is worth visiting. The guide tells of the history of the house and how it came to be under the auspices of the King. You will need to book if you would like to visit the house. Wonderful adventure playground for a wide range of age groups. However, it is the gardens which are the best feature. Very impressive; beautifully laid out and a joy to explore. When we visited there was a very good makers market on site.
Frances Orchard — Google review
We had a lovely walk round the grounds and up to the Barony A Frame. There aren't signs for the path but head up the hill and you can't miss it!
Dumfries House gardens are beautiful, and we particularly appreciated the café for delicious cakes and coffee.
Kathryn McFarlane — Google review
Beautiful Adams house furnished with many Chippendale pieces. The house was excellent bringing it all to life. Extensive grounds with children's play area and an awesome walked garden.
Bryan Steele — Google review
We couldn't get in to see round the house as it was closed for a wedding but we will save that for another day. The grounds were stunning especially the Walled Garden. Lots of walks in the grounds and if you've got kids plenty to keep them busy. Great wee tearoom as well.
Jean Chalmers — Google review
3rd time here and it won't be the last. There is always something different to do and walk .It's so peaceful and well maintained.Dog friendly on leads There is an outdoor area at the cafe if you have a dog .The only problem is if you're on your own with the dog I find it hard to get someone's attention in the cafe to come out to me They need to attach something outside to tie the dog securely.
julia johnson — Google review
Amazing place !! First time here with the family. About 1 hour from Glasgow. Dog friendly (on a leash) . Stunning scenery all around with a large tree top play park for the kids. Be careful on the slide though as there are big bolts that stick out on the outside half way down. There's a cafe / toilets / ice cream. Really amazing place and we will definitely be back. Oh and there's also a section the kids can build dams with water etc. It really is good. See pics 📸
Also there is a maze that costs £1 for adults .... kids are free
Runningwithstephen StephenQuigley — Google review
Loved this place, can’t wait to go back. A great selection of little walks around the grounds, some spectacular trees and shrubs around the gardens and the arboretum. The walled garden and the maze were closed (winter) but another reason to go back again and again.
Rob Croydon — Google review
Astounding greenery, may this place keep being vibrant healthy and strong in eternity. Very nice and safe worksmanship on the toys as well. A little inconvenient that everything was closed down in the evening, perhaps a vending machine for a hot chocolate for the late visitors would complete it nicely 💝😊
Wander Queer — Google review
Brilliant play area for the kids, the swing bridges are incredible and the slides too. The gardens are lovely to walk around and the bridges are great. The food in the cafe was delicious, but very popular so expect a queue. Parking is free so a must if you are in the area
Mighty Red80 — Google review
Have just returned home from an overnight stay. Extensive grounds all well kept.
Fantastic place to visit,everyone is so kind. The room was well appointed and nothing left to chance. Food sublime and the staff couldn't do enough for us.
Beautiful setting. Well worth a visit.
The house is gorgeous and the Thomas Chippendale furniture is just wonderful.
Linda Bailey — Google review
Amazing place. Fantastic for a day out. Lots to see and do. The Woodlands Garden, the Walled Garden, the Arboretum and the Maze are wonderful. So nice for a peaceful walk. There are so many stunning trees to see too. There's a massive playground for children. Lots of parking spaces in the main car park as well as near the visitor centre/café. Toilets and baby changing facilities are available and clearly signposted. Dogs are welcome in the grounds. There's a café, a restaurant and a gift shop. It's free to visit but there's a £3 fee to visit the Walled Garden which is worth it. There's a charge for tours of the Dumfries House but we didn't get to do a tour on this occasion. My friends and I really enjoyed ourselves and would definitely visit again.
Maya M — Google review
First time visiting the grounds & thoroughly enjoyed the walk. The tea room was clean and the staff friendly. The food was decent with a reasonable choice
allan mac — Google review
We had a wonderful time. The grounds are amazing. The only downside is that it's hard going round the house at times, I just wish there were seats to sit on. I know it's not easy but some of us were suffering at the end. The guides were very good.
A few more sign posts would help as the map is not good at showing routes on how to get around. Having said that I will definitely visit again. It's a fantastic place for all ages.
John Yates — Google review
What a beautiful place Dumfries House is .We went a while back but knew we had to come back when the gardens were in bloom,we weren't disappointed, just wonderful. A very relaxing place to wander around ,stop and smell the flowers .Sit and relax in one of the many lovely spots around the estate.
Great adventure playground for kids built around the giant trees that dominate the landscape.
There's also a water park with a difference, kids can learn from small dams , make water move up an Archmeides screw and various other fun stuff with water .
Take a picnic or eat in the cafe .
Worth visiting time and time again .
King Charles done us all a favour in buying this lovely place and saving it for everyone.
Drumlanrig Castle is a grand 17th century castle located on a vast estate spanning 120,000 acres of parkland. It boasts an impressive collection of art and antiques, including the renowned Buccleuch Art Collection. Visitors can explore opulent rooms filled with rich furnishings and admire beautiful paintings and tapestries. The estate also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, biking, fishing and game shooting amidst wild landscapes of ancient trees and lochs.
A must stop, if not stay. Such beautiful countryside to explore over and above the exquisite gardens & stable ateliers & businesses. You’ll smell the stunning scents of Tracy’s soaps from miles away.
Definitely be back for more walking & cycling. Families will enjoy the adventure playground.
Sam McDonald — Google review
Amazing gardens and great little cafe. Very impressed that at this time of year there was plenty visitor parking without charge and all the gardens were open, even though the house was closed. Nice little café with a stick grown produce for sale outside and the children’s play park.
Absolutely stunning building and beautiful grounds.
Leigh Bird — Google review
Amazing parkland with great walks and cycle rides. The castle is closed in winter but the grounds are all open. You can drive right up to the castle and when we went the car park was free. There are some artisan shops open doing bike repairs, interior decor and handmade gifts.
Paul Goddard — Google review
Absolutely stunning, you require a day visit for the whole place. Palace Castle looks superb outside and a lot of historic antiques inside. Excellent Gardens and kids playground. Cafe and shops are cool.
Igor Smy — Google review
Fabulous place to visit with or without the kids .
Wonderful walks and beautiful views, the shops were very quaint. Loved Mums shed bought a fabulous bespoke hanging ornament. The owner was there making all sorts of mystical magical things , she was very helpful and inspiring.
Natalie Barrett — Google review
Travelled quite a distance to find it was closed
Came to visit the castle - the gardens and cafe were open but found that the castle itself was closed.
Google said it was open and we were not informed by staff upon purchasing our tickets that the castle was shut.
Stalls in the stables and the gift shop were also closed (bike hire was open)
Not overly happy with pur experience
Aidan James — Google review
Lovely walks, dog friendly, great play park for kids, quirky shops, bikes to buy or hire,affordable prices with great advice, highlight of the year totally recommend ,Galloway Country Fair.
Susan Szulc — Google review
Lovely formal gardens in a beautiful setting. Missed the house tour as all booked up. Great for kids too with a modern playground next to the cafe.
Kerry Chapman — Google review
First visit today but not sure there is enough here for us to want to visit again. Nice looking castle but you have to book in advance to go in. You have to buy tickets and pay to go to the Gardens and Play area too but we are not of an age where we want to play so didn't go in. Very few people around and nobody seemed any the wiser. The cafes were both in paid areas but I feel if the coffee shops/cafe were easily accessible the place would pull in more people possibly. We chose to go for a walk and follow a couple of the routes round and up to the lochs. Nice peaceful walk but not a soul in sight. Quite hilly walk but was nice too. We left feeling a little disappointed and confused to be honest and went and found lunch elsewhere.
Catherine Haigh — Google review
This castle is splendid built in an idyllic environment and the view is magnificent,the garden is awesome ,this area covered by nature is scenic and the old sycamore trees add more information.
Paul Inbaraj Pillai — Google review
What a great day out with the family. Go for a walk round the grounds, take a picnic and get a coffee from the cafe. There is a great park too for the kids.
Matt H — Google review
Great place and well worth a visit. Book a tour and see and hear more about the castle, family and antiques. Very interesting and excellent tour guides. Should also say that end of May was a great time to visit and appreciate the multiple yellow azaleas.
Charles Henderson — Google review
Amazing place with something for everyone. Sadly didn't get into the castle as too hot for the dog in the car but the grounds are exceptional. The staff were friendly and the playground was amazing. It was very quiet when we were there
lynda morton — Google review
A beautiful stately home with lovely walks and gardens, a very nice tearoom and an adventure playground for the kids.
Inside on the tour is an art collection, furniture and antiques.
Peter Mabon — Google review
Visited the Castle and Gardens on a Thursday. The Castle wasn't open for tours on that day so check before you visit if you are wanting to see inside.
The bike trails are still not open due to previous storm damage and the small artisan shops didn't appear to be open although they looked like the individual units were being redecorated inside and out.
Entry into the gardens and children's adventure playground is fairly cheap and the playground looks like fun. Oh to be young again. The cafe is adequate but I'd bring your own sandwiches if visiting over lunchtime.
The Castle and gardens/grounds are simply stunning. You can appreciate the work that must go into keeping them up to that standard.
I took my dogs with me and they enjoyed it too. Would definitely recommend to others.
New Lanark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a former cotton mill industrial village renowned for its social experiment during the Industrial Revolution. The site boasts of a large roof garden that offers panoramic views, making it an attractive destination for tourists. This historic location provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the influence of industry on society and how this shaped modern-day living.
One of the best places to visit in southern Scotland. Really lovely and off the beaten track. Museum and shop etc. Great walks. I make a point of stopping by here whenever I'm in Scotland.
Beth Mitchell — Google review
Bizarre wee place but what a cool and wonderful history! The walk to the waterfalls is short and well worth the effort! Unfortunately not accessible for wheel chair users but the rest of the premises is! Great little afternoon out and the hotel had some good grub!
Jeremy Young — Google review
Visited here six years ago and enjoyed it so we decided to give it another visit wow! It was worth it and the walk to the falls was so good we sat and relaxed listening to the sound of the water fall. The Clyde is also used to produce electricity which is good for all who is connected. The wife and i loved it.
Bill Butler — Google review
It's interesting to hear about what it is like in the factory. It was good to see some working machines. Owens house was interesting as I had heard a lot about his contribution to socialism. To be honest I'm not sure the pod ride was necessary to learn about it and it might have been as good to have walked through but I guess others would like the novelty. The soup and scone in the restaurant was nice too. I also find the village architecturally interesting. But the piece de resistance is the falls of Clyde for a stunning walk.
Thomas Quinn — Google review
Great day out for the kids and have a nice walk by the water. My daughter thought it was amazing using the payphone to phone her grandad. I found the water hypnotic to watch after the heavy rain fall.
Nicole Devlin — Google review
Highly recommended for New Year! Fireworks, pipers, bells, dancing, and excellent food. The staff could not have been more friendly and helpful.
Sharon Eaton — Google review
Came here to walk the Falls of Clyde. Absolutely Awe inspiring! We're comfortable shoes, some mud and steps along the way. Fantastic water feature. The New Lannark Mills are a fantastic visit but I did not go to them this time.
Nicola June Potts — Google review
This is somewhere I've wanted to visit for a long time as interested in industrial history. The restoration of the mill buildings and tenement blocks has been done to a high standard. It is a living museum in that it still makes wool and people live on site. The story of Robert Owen is amazing and he was so ahead of his time in improving conditions for workers and encouraging education for all. There is a large gift shop and cafe. Would have liked to have seen a clear display of items made with their wool, larger than the one in the manufacturing area, which could be easily missed. It has lost a star because of the wait to get in. There was only one person on the ticket desk and a large party arrived when we did and it took a long time to process them. We were then behind them in the queue for the ride. There was no clear signage to say if you could bypass the ride and come back to it later. The signage that was there, about health conditions, should have been earlier in the queue to give time to change route. Some displays were contradictory and dated.
So overall definitely worth a visit but could do with a bit of tweaking to improve the experience.
Fern A — Google review
Lovely Hotel in a gorgeous setting.
Scenic walk along the River Clyde.
3 course dinner was lovely and there was a good choice.
Great choice for breakfast. Continental or full breakfast were on offer.
Bedroom was large and looked out onto the river.
Wouldn't say spotless. Cobwebs hanging from ceiling and stuck to walls. Skirting boards had a thick layer of dust on them.
TV plug had label attached saying it had been serviced in April. Hadn't been dusted since.
Dish in bathroom to hold liquid soap wS also very dusty.
Karen Ali — Google review
Visually stunning. We never went into any of the exhibitions but just enjoyed the walk along the River Clyde. This in itself was worth the visit with the birdsong and the music of the river. We enjoyed lunch in the restaurant, which was very nice and the staff were very friendly.
ian walker — Google review
Amazing location. Lots of walks for different levels. Lots of beautiful sights to see and nature to look at. The place itself is incredibly beautiful. Almost like you've stepped back in time
Holly Anderson — Google review
Great place !! Take the kids and enjoy the ride through history... If you gift aid your tickets last a year !! Beautiful views, brilliant gift shop and if you're local they do farmers markets etc so it's win win 😊
feehay650 — Google review
New Lanark Mill Hotel is in such a beautiful location. Lovely old buildings, cobbled streets, and fantastic views over the Falls of Clyde. Spacious rooms. Food is super. Friendly, welcoming staff. Brilliant pool & jacuzzi. Highly recommended. 👍🏻
SuperPinny — Google review
A beautifully preserved part of our industrial heritage.
Well worth the visit.
Easy to get to if you're a tourist in Glasgow without a car.
Take the train from Glasgow to Lanark. It's every half an hour and takes and hour.
Right by the train station in Lanark is the Bus Stance. Take the 135 bus to New Lanark, it drops you right by the door. The bus is hourly, at the time of my review it leaves at 34 minutes past the hour.
Sean O'Neill — Google review
Really interesting visitors centre.
Great walk to all the falls.
Free bus back to the car park was the icing on the cake!
clare booth — Google review
Fabulous setting good day out hotel has a spa good scenery and walks very hilly. Stayed in cottage very spacious but basic.Didnt go to museum did gift shop and area around. Good day out take packed lunch if weathers nice very pricey in cafe . Hotel has restaurant as well.
Lynniloo Ady — Google review
Fascinating place and on such a huge scale.
Very interesting history, especially liked seeing where the wool is spun and produced.
Lovely cakes in the café.
As the mills are on the valley floor along the river, the paths down to them from the car park are very steep. There is a shuttle bus that runs back and forth between the two.
Sam Palmer — Google review
A large site with a lot to see. With the car park at the top of a steep hill, a problem for those with mobility issues. The shuttle bus only runs at weekends.
It was very interesting seeing how people lived and worked there in the past.
David Smith — Google review
Had a brilliant time visiting New Lanark.
Lots of interesting information about New Lanark as well as wider issues such as history, society and the local area, presented in an easy and fun way to understand, there is even a small ride to show you around and explain points in a bite sized way.
Nice that the village was open to wander around and see how the rest of life was in the past.
Very clean, good condition buildings and friendly, enthusiastic staff.
Stewart Richardson — Google review
Great experience, superb reconstruction of the mill and the lives of the workers. Exhibitions are modern and relevant; there's even a ride to experience the life of a mill working child.
Nice cafe on site. The waterfall is worth the walk along the wooded path. Open houses are fascinating and very authentic.
You can spend several hours there, so well worth the entrance fee.
Michael Lees — Google review
The mill visitor experience was fascinating and well designed. I particularly enjoyed the chair ride with the ghosts of mill workers, and the roof garden. The café was lovely! Plus the workers' cottages and Robert Owen's house.
Kathryn McFarlane — Google review
Brilliant day out wandering around the mill and surrounding area. Walk up to view the falls(only about ten minutes walk) and then around the houses in the village area. We arrived early,so we drove down the hill to park and didn't have the long walk. There's a school house, owners house, and then the whole of the mill to view,so set aside a good couple of hours.
Lyn Bostock — Google review
Great for an energetic walk up to the Falls of Clyde and on to Bonnington Linn and back to New Lanark Mill.
Nice fresh light lunches available, the carrot and ginger soup was fab.
A visit to the Mill itself is very memorable with its amazing historical past 👍
david edwards — Google review
Amazing place.So much to see. What a fantastic job the Trust have made. Cafe is really good. Lots of walk and amazing views. Don't miss the ice cream shop.
sue snelling — Google review
Lovely place, we walked up along side the Clyde, lovely views of the falls then a light lunch in the hotel. Excellent staff very friendly and polite. Excellent food highly recommended the Korean cauliflower.
Nick Allen — Google review
Fascinating place - it really has to be seen to appreciate this Victorian landmark. I spent a happy few hours last month wandering around looking at the buildings and going to the falls of Clyde viewpoint.
P.S. Don't do what I did and walk from Lanark to New Lanark by the road, you can reach New Lanark from Lanark by a woodland trail (map attached) avoiding the road completely :)
Laura FF — Google review
Such a beautiful place worth stunning walks. It has a play park for kids and there's a cafe aswell. Certainly worth a visit. I haven't stayed in the hotel but have many friends that have and they rave about it.
Caerlaverock Castle, situated by Glencaple on the Solway coast of Scotland, is a magnificent medieval fortress with twin-towered gatehouses and surrounded by a moat. The triangular pink-stoned castle appears impenetrable but has been attacked several times in history, including the famous siege by Edward in 1300 that was later immortalized in an epic poem.
The castle was closed on my recent visit due to maintenance, but the grounds are lovely and there's a lovely cafe ,
It's the only triangular castle in Britain , and has a most.
On previous visits I have been inside the castle and it's very interesting with architecture that's seems strange in a castle but it adds to the attraction . It's well worth a visit . There's a lovely children's play area as well and further down there's the ruins of the original castle.
Great place for a picnic .
Staff are nice and helpful .
Teen Brown — Google review
Like so many sites on the SW300, it was free to park (perhaps while the castle is cordoned off) and the toilets were very clean and modern and also free to use. The staff in the gift shop were very friendly and pleasant. It’s worth a walk around the moat, despite the back of the castle being in ruins I think it’s much more interesting than the front.
Benny Hell — Google review
an interesting place to visit not only in terms of history but also recreation. The castle is currently closed to visitors, but is due to reopen - when? - not known yet.
You can walk around the castle to admire its architecture. Around a lot of green area where you can lie down and relax on a blanket. There is also a play area for children, a gift shop and very good latte coffee for £2. Free parking, lying on a blanket and watching the castle from the outside as well for free. Enjoy
Anna Besford — Google review
A beautiful and atmospheric place to visit with amazing history.
It is completely free to walk around the grounds of the castle and along the short walk through the woods to the foundations of the earlier building.
Entry to the castle is a very reasonable £6 per adult or free if you are a member of Historic Scotland, and you also get a discount on the price of drinks or snacks inside the shop as a member.
The staff are lovely and very knowledgeable about the area and history of the castle.
We spent a lovely couple of hours enjoying our time at this very unusual triangular castle and would definitely recommend a visit.
joanne patrick — Google review
Lovely staff. Couldn't have been more helpful and knowledgeable. Lovely gift shop. Castle was closed for restoration but still well worth a visit.
Joe McAdam — Google review
If this castle was in England, you'd pay a small fortune for entrance and probably have to pay to park too. Here, it is all free with a lovely gift shop and extremely helpful staff. There's a nice playground for the kids an an interactive app you can download a learn about this castles important place in British history. You couldn't go in when we were there but you could wander all around the castle alongside the moat. Plus, and this is very important, some of the nicest ice cream on the planet!
Jon Harney — Google review
Very nice scenery and great castle. Very informational exhibition about a castle siege.
Unfortunately, Castle could not be entered due to safety concerns and outstanding inspections. But you can have a very nice walk around the castle and see the inside from behind.
Timo Kirst — Google review
Lovely walk down to castle and pretty accessible on lower areas. There are stairs to higher levels. Some of it was unavailable as being improved but clearly stated what was out of bounds. Went around to original site, path a bit bumpy but mobility scooter managed it. There are woodland trails for kids but didn't go on them as not sure if passable. Had a nice coffee in little shop and hubby went in to see the exhibition about the 3 year seige narrated by Tony Robinson. Can take dogs on leads around grounds. Unusual triangular shaped moated castle with an interesting history.
Michele Way — Google review
A place worth visiting. An interesting part of Scottish history. This place is well-kept. The parking lot is well prepared. There is a small souvenir shop in the visitor center. There is a clean toilet. This place is mostly accessible to people with disabilities. You can take your dog with you.
Andy Pandy — Google review
One of the most interesting to look at castles I've seen, even though it was closed for safety reasons when I attended. You can walk around the castle grounds and photograph around the moat which surrounds the castle itself and there is a gift shop and toilets on site (open) as well as a woodland walk, which brings you to an excavated site where the old castle stood.
Write2matthew — Google review
Excellent. Even though they’ve got the builders in! Managed a few photos without the scaffolding. You can still wander about the grounds. Free parking. Found out it would have been free anyway due to EH cross-membership.
Original castle foundations fascinating but I couldn’t find my way to what might have been the harbour. Hot drinks and snacks in the shop.
Noel Fearnside — Google review
Fascinating site with the foundations of possibly the first stone castle built in Scotland.
Caerlaverock castle is the second attempt after the first one started to fall down!
Helpful and friendly staff on site to talk you through the history, landmarks and wildlife.
It's free to park and wander round the site although there will be a charge to look around the castle itself once it reopens following some work to make some crumbling masonry safe.
I recommend spending a bit of time here, having a coffee and appreciating the scenery and wildlife - on my visit, loads of swallows and baby toads.
Nick Toms — Google review
A lovely visit, very nice gift shop where we had some nice small tubs of local ice cream. It was a sunny day when we visited and although the castle is closed for repairs you can still have a pleasant walk around it’s perimeter. An unusual triangular design. Staff very nice in the gift shop. Good toilets and a reasonable car park. Just a nice place to chill. It’s free too, well for now whilst the repairs are being undertaken which look as if they could take some time. There looks to be longer country walks too from the edges of the castle that we didn’t explore as we were only passing through.
Ian, Jac, Wispa & Hugo — Google review
Greeted by very pleasant staff and made to feel welcome. Castle and grounds are great. For our first stay in Scotland and our first castle visit, was very happy with the visit and history. Nice history video presentation too.
M Spooner — Google review
Free entry for English heritage members, the only triangular castle in the UK is well worth a visit. Its in a spectacular setting with some limited access to the insides. There is a cafe, toilets on site, volunteers are first class and it's well worth a visit.
kevin mills — Google review
Lovely walking around the grounds of the castle and £6 if you want to go inside. Very nice tea shop on site. Free parking. Visited a couple of times, would definitely recommend.
Jeff Buggins — Google review
This is a emoted castle with an interesting history. It’s a beautiful place to visit, and even if you do not have an Explorer pass for Historic Scotland, entry is reasonably priced (£6 per adult). I went without my children in this case, but I did notice that there was a lovely playground in the grounds, ideal for little ones, and there’s little café on site as well. It’s honestly a beautiful building within easy reach of Dumfries
Stacey MacNaught — Google review
Was running late but the good people let me in and made me feel welcome. Ended up freezing because earlier in day I was in short sleeves but the weather had changed and I did not want to miss the visit. Had a great time, clicking away merrily. Part is still closed due to restoration work but the rest is great. Enjoyed my stop at the refreshment room, as well. I fitted in a lot in 30mins!
ken Wallwork — Google review
A great castle full of history with a good video exhibition about the medieval siege. An added bonus is the nice walk through a wooded area to the foundations of the original castle. Staff were friendly and there was a nice Easter trail for children. Hot drinks can be bought for a reasonable price in the gift shop.
Ollie Fitton-Cook — Google review
A lovely place to visit. Especially on a Sunny day. Been many time since I was a child. Great for a family day out.
Richard Partington — Google review
Really interesting place to visit. Lovely walk around the Castle and brilliant to visit inside. £6 for adults, £3.5 for kids and under 7 go free.
Ana S — Google review
Have been here in the past but was not able to enter the castle due to the ongoing restoration works. Entry is free for English Heritage members* (*Valid membership that has been active for one year or over). The castle is small but boasts some great architecture and it's triangular shape is unique to other castles I have visited. You are able to view the majority of the interior however, at the time of my visit, the East wing of the castle was still under renovation so was inaccessible. The site also has a tea room and shop which is reasonably priced along with a small outdoor play area. There is also a walking trail that has AR plaques that provide historical information as you progress. The trail also leads you to the ruins of the old Castle which was established in the 1220s (more foundations than ruins). Further out there are amazing walks and bird hides. If you are in Dumfries I would highly recommend a visit to this historic castle.
Butch Dingle — Google review
It was a lovely adventure. The castle is really cool built in the middle of a moat. And there's a layout of an older castle farther in the woods. An educational video played in the small museum and the gift shop also sold hot chocolate for the cold and rainy weather. The price was cheap and I would recommend visiting if you're in the area
Rhonda Boston — Google review
Lovely place to visit. There is also the remains of the original castle further down the driveway past the new castle. The staff were great and very friendly/helpful. They also advised us of the best way to get back to where we were going due to the storm flooding.
Sophie Davis — Google review
Beautiful castle steeped in history.
Lovely walk around the building and the foundations of the previous castle a few hundred yards away. Informative display with a video of the castle’s history and a lovely little shop with refreshments.
Katie Levitt — Google review
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Castle Road End, Dumfries, DG1 4RU, United Kingdom
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Company Ltd is a transportation service that operates miniature steam trains in the Ravenglass and Eskdale area. The service is family-friendly and provides a 7-mile route on a small-scale train. The company also has a museum and several restaurants nearby.
Fabulous visit to this lovely, quaint and beautifully restored steam railway. Really comfortable seats as travelled in the Joan Pullman observation carriage. Fabulous views of the more remote fells that you wouldn't normally see unless you were on a long walk. Staff very knowledge, friendly and helpful. Lovely experience all round. Definitely worth a visit.
Christopher Hatch — Google review
Had a pleasant afternoon/experience with this narrow gauge railway.
When we reached Ravenglass we had booked an afternoon tea, the waitress was very pleasant & we enjoyed the food which comprised of a selection of sandwiches, 2 fruit scones with butter, jam & cream.
There are also 2 public houses within walking distance where food is definitely served in the Inn, but not sure about the other public house. The last train back is at 04.30. Most enjoyable on such a fabulous sunny day.
Would recommend.
M K D — Google review
Had a brilliant experience on board the steam train today with my husband and baby. The train goes through beautiful places with excellent views and goes slow enough to take it all in. The journey lasted around 40 minutes each way and our baby loved watching the fields and sheep go by. On both stations there is a cafe and a gift shop. What we particularly liked was that there was a vegan option for food, drink and dessert. I’d definitely recommend the railway to anyone, especially with a family.
Symone Urbanek-Pope — Google review
My visit to this narrow gauge railway was an absolute delight. The weather was fine and sunny, but the stars of the show are the engines themselves which are presented with love and care and gleam with beauty. And they are impressively powerful. The journey up through Eskdale was beautiful and it takes you to within a 10-minute walk of the village of Boot, with its excellent inns and fascinating watermill. Thoroughly recommended!
John Elliott — Google review
Wonderful experience with family. We bought tickets to and from Dalegarth station. We can also do a one-way or get down and explore surroundings and take a return train. Enjoyed both open roof and enclosed cabins which you can chose while purchasing tickets at station or move around the cabins by requesting the ticket checker. Don't miss the engine change specially if you have kids. Enjoy 😊
pavan kumar — Google review
Lovely little steam trains and scenic route they have wheelchair accessible carriage for manual/small electric wheelchairs with fold down seating too. The price is great for return tickets and there are cafes at the main stops. The train stops for about 30/40 minutes giving plenty time to take in the scenery or have a cuppa.
H L D — Google review
This was a great way to spend a afternoon
After work. Keys but ls 40minutes each way
7 miles of track great scenery of the hills .
Car park at the station and easy wheel chair access to the station. I recommend you plan your day ahead so you have time for those who wish to seek walks plenty to see and couple of pubs near by. For those just wanting to enjoy journey the station has cafe and near by pub too . In all great adventure
Anthony Maione — Google review
We did the virgin train and cream tea experience and it was great, nice 40min train ride through the countryside and cream tea in the downstairs dining area. Choice of hot drinks which were served fairly quickly. Sandwiches and scones were nice. Lots of time to go to the river, my son to head to the park and also browse the gift shop and then to get a lolly. Really worth the money and would do it again x
Rachael Wilkinson — Google review
Great day out here, really well maintained and run. Shown to our carriage, dog friendly.
Lovely walk at the Dalegarth end and delicious on grub too.
Return journey we were lucky enough to be sat near the guard who was incredibly informative and explained the history of the railway.
Steven Bird — Google review
Although it may feel a little pricey, the trip is wonderful, and worth every penny. Travel up from the coast to the foot of the fells and the village of Boot. A 40 minute journey (each way) allows time to relax and take in the wonderful scenery, if you have time I recommend wandering in to Boot and enjoy a pint at the Inn or check out Eskdale Mill. There are cafes and Toilets at the start and beginning of the railway. Friendly staff and the railway museum at Ravenglass is well worth a visit. There are play areas and picnic benches at both main stations great for a family picnic.
T Cross — Google review
Second time on the R&E steam railway and the kids always love it.
Went for a walk and lunch in Boot before travelling back. Always lovely staff who have helped on both occasions to put our buggy somewhere safe on the train as well as make kids and dog feel welcome. Will always recommend 🚂
Emily Plummer — Google review
Had a really lovely day. The railway museum was free entry and it was interesting to learn about the railway and how it is the smallest one. Then we really enjoyed the train ride and experience.
The staff were lovely, friendly and helpful
Beverley Thomas — Google review
Great experience on the small steam train, good for young and old. We traveled with 2 and 4 years old kids and they sit calm all the time, was interested in everything. We came back after 1.5 hrs it would be enough time to go to the falls, but with a little ones would need more time. Playground for kids and nice coffee as well
Justinas Stanevicius — Google review
A proper gem nestled in fabulous unspoilt countryside. Worth the 2 and a half hour drive to get there. Railway carriages were small but great for 2 people & comfortable once seated. Cream tea was substantial and a lovely lunch time treat. Will return with Grandchildren next time. A lovely day out & highly recommended
Hazel Miles — Google review
Lovely ride on the train. Nice cafe at both ends. Staff very helpful. I would suggest getting an early train from Ravenglass so you can have more time the other end if you are buying a return journey. We only had two hours , so after we had lunch didn't have too much time to do anything else.
Lorrie Pearson — Google review
A fantastic day out for young and old. The trains are amazing little machines lovingly maintained and operated. . All the staff are friendly and helpful. The scenery is beautiful and the facilities at the stations are excellent. And everyone had big smiles on their faces. The prices for the train are very reasonable and the cafes at both ends have excellent fare.
Andy Ormsby — Google review
We attended today as a family for the Santa Express. It was absolutely fantastic. It was really well organised, and a fabulous day out for the family to visit Father Christmas. Our 8 year old thoroughly enjoyed it, he had a marvellous time and the whole experience from the Elves, to
Stu-Di-Doo to Father Christmas was magical. Well worth visiting, Father Christmas was wonderful and the whole day captured the magic of Christmas.
Grant Denny — Google review
Once we got over the fact they were half size steam engines (our own fault for not properly researching) , it was a lovely trip. Beautiful countryside views.
A charming activity to do while visiting the area.
Helen Sole — Google review
Great family activity, we decided to go on a rainy day with 2 adults, 4 kids and a dog. The train is 40 minutes in each direction, dogs are welcome on the train and in the cafe areas but not the museum. We also visited the boot in which is dog friendly.
axle nev — Google review
The trip up the valley is about 40 minutes long with a handful of stops if you want to walk part of the way up the valley. The scenery is wonderful. Nice coffee/tea rooms and gift shops at each end of the line. Ample car parking at Ravenglass. Best to book tickets ahead of time in peak periods
Mark Storey — Google review
A lovely little railway for a day out. It's tiny though! Don't turn up expecting a full size steam train and carriages. The scenery is gorgeous on the journey from end to end, and we had a little walk and a drink in the nearby pub before heading back. It's dog friendly, but was a squash for our friend's lurcher in the miniature carriages between our knees. Our chihuahua fared much better - ha! There's a cafe at both ends of the line, and a few pubs to pick from in Ravenglass for lunch afterwards. I loved our little trip out, but thought it was a bit cheeky to be charging £5 parking, as the train tickets aren't cheap. Would still recommend it though.
Vinca Olechnowicz-Power — Google review
We had a really fun return trip out on the stream trains. The staff are very friendly and helpful, would recommend for families with young kids. My 3yo and 9yo we're both fascinated the entire journey. The railway museum is also a nice addition, although quite small. The little carriages are quite cramped and in need of some tlc in places.
Stephen Lee — Google review
I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff. I was taking a wheelchair bound client this week and due to bad traffic arrived 1 minute before departure. The wonderful staff held the train enough to allow us to board safely and couldn’t help enough. A big well done. As for the landscape that borders the route I can only say I felt such piece and in awe at the beauty that only the power of nature and geology could create. No picture can truly capture that. Great facilities to and good disability facilities.
Keith Lamb — Google review
4.7
(3706)
•
4.5
(1924)
Station, Main St, Ravenglass CA18 1SW, United Kingdom
Muncaster Castle is an 800 year old building in the Lake District that offers beautiful views of the coast, lakes and mountains. It is a grand construction that overlooks the coast, lakes and mountains of the Western Lake District. It is home to a bird of prey center and maze which gives visitors amazing experiences.
Cat Bells is a small, gentle mountain peak that can be easily accessed via a short path with panoramic lakeland views. It's perfect for those who want an easy hike that does not compromise on the view, and is also popular amongst hillwalkers.
Absolutely stunning hike! Perfect for kids though there was a small bit of scrambling (last photo) but that was our favorite part! It took us a couple of hours with plenty of stops for playing and enjoying the views
Renee Miller — Google review
Nice circular route with great views. Good walk for most dogs, easy route to follow. We went down to the lakeside, makes the walk a wee bit longer but gives you 2 different types of scenery vistas.
Greg Campbell-smith — Google review
Nice steep walk, we managed to get halfway up with great views of Derwent Water.
Up and down near the top in less than 2 hours which was great.
Tabby Tabster — Google review
Absolutely beautiful walk.
Stunning views.
We did the hike with our dogs, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It is fairly steep on both the ascent and descent, one thing to take into consideration, on the descent some rock scrambling and climbing is required.
Lucy Smith — Google review
Walked up one morning with my dog and the views didn’t disappoint. We walked straight up from the bottom and once you got so far up it was quite a scramble, especially when you’re on your own trying to hold a dog! We came down the other path (I’m not sure if there’s more than just those two), which winds down the outside facing Derwentwater, and that was definitely an easier route! I would definitely go back again but go the ‘easier’ route up.
Anna Cialis-Hodgson — Google review
We had an amazing hike in Catbells and it was one of the best hikes we did in the Lake district. This hike was a full of spectacular views overlooking the Derwentwater and the range of magical mountains in Lake District. The hike was quite an easy one and we did as a preparation for the Helvellyn hike we are planning to do in next couple of days. We parked the car in Hawes end car park. Make sure not to park your Car along the double yellow lines, no matter how tempting you are, you will definitely get a parking ticket. I saw many Cars got parking tickets just because they wanted to save £5 of the Car park. Make sure to keep only footsteps and take only photos /memories. Thanks Lake District 😊
Anjana Silva — Google review
Good family climb. Some scrambles, we did it with a five and seven year old in good weather. Recommended getting a buss or getting off the ferry at Hawes end.
Stephen Nicholson — Google review
Great "Little" walk. I had thought we could do this on one of our rest days. It was a little bit steeper than I'd thought. But I have to say, one of my favourite walks. The views are great. Parking is a nightmare. I'd Googled beforehand and getting the launch from Keswick was recommended. This was a great idea. It added another element to the adventure. And made parking easy. The lakeside carpark is massive.
martin cockerell — Google review
This was a very steep walk for me! I'd like to think I'm fairly fit but I found this very demanding. The views are amazingly beautiful but please be warned that this is NOT a flat easy walk. I regret not taking some food and drink to enjoy the spectacular views at the top.
Ken Lau — Google review
Amazing view! Definitely recommend. It’s about a 25-35 min hike up to the first viewpoint and it’s amazing. It’s quite steep so wear proper shoes as not to fall or slip, especially on the way down. The view from the top is really breathtaking.
Dominique Saayman — Google review
Fantastic views all the way. Amazing. A must do thing to put on your list. There were people of all ages doing this, but there are two parts when you have to scramble up the rocks. Not easy for all to do! Start at Hawks End to get the best experience of it all. You go up to the first peak and as you get there you then see another. As you get to the top, then there's another, get to next peak then there's yet another again. Lovely to sit down and have a drink and a sarni looking out over the views. The winding path on the side going down left me in sooo much pain in my knees though!! I didnt think I would be able to drive home! Worth it cos the views are amazing! Parking..... what a nightmare! Seemed like cars were in every little gap at sides of road there was and its a bit tight in places for two cars to pass. There are a lot of double yellow lines so be careful where you choose. I basically just got lucky with a parking spot. If you see one grab it
Trickyj “TRICKYJ” Trickyj — Google review
Perfect hike for first time climbers, it has absolutely everything to get their love for climbing going!! The views are beautiful the walk isn't too strenuous.
Views for miles and a lovely lake at the bottom of the fell, perfect spot for wild swimming and having a picnic, a firm family favourite!!!
Spontaneous Adventures — Google review
Fairly easy walk for beginners and it’ll take about an hour up and less than that coming down, if you’re fairly fit
There’s parking right at the starting point, (the side facing the lake) so if you can get that then it’s literally a few steps to the starting point (which slights right, up the hill)
The views are spectacular and there’s nothing like a short hike to end your day!
You can do a circular route and come down the shorter but less scenic view and really complete this miniature mountain
If you’re with the family and they’re not up for running across striding edge with you then this scenic route will get everyone out and wanting to climb
The Seeker — Google review
Great walk with excellent views around Keswick. Not to busy and a moderate rating, great starter point for beginners.
Craig Johnston — Google review
This is probably my favourite hike in England.
I've parked in the area previously, within a half mile of the start. Yet parking is difficult and I was lucky to find a legal spot to park.
Yesterday when I ventured up with the wife we parked at the Lake Side car park (£8.50 for 6 hours).
We then caught the ferry form the lakeside to Hawes End. The journey is lovely and takes about 30 mins.
It was £5.50 each one way. The guys that run the ferry are great. Very friendly and happy to advise on directions and where best to get off etc.
There is a wooden jetty at Hawes end which leads straight into a woodland. It's sigh posted to the start of the Catbells walk and brings you out at the North End of the walk. This is the most challenging end of the climb as it's 80% climbing, some of which is pretty steep and there is some technicality at around 4 points along the route to the summit. It's a bit of scrambling and for some bits you're going to need both hands to help you climb. It's doable for most people who are at least moderately active.
The only way I can gauge it for you is I am above average fitness for my age. (I am 50 my VO2 max currently at 47). I carried a pack with 12kg weight. I used walking poles and my heart rate reached around 150bpm on the toughest section which is the scramble right before the summit. I like to go for it and push myself so I shot up there but you can take your time and have regular rests. So don't let this put you off.
The great thing about this hike is that it's incredibly rewarding. It's a short distance but steep enough to get you a good workout. Yet, as you climb there are rewards at every turn. Even after hiking just five mins into the trail you will start to be rewarded with Great views. And this gift keeps on giving the higher you climb.
You'll have views over to the Langdale Pikes to the SE, Keswick town, Blencathra and Skiddaw to the North and NE.
Then over to your SW, views Straight into the Kentmere Horse Shoe.
Ok a clear day you can see right across to the East towards the very peak of Hellvellyn.
Just 360° fantastic views.
We missed the last boat back from Hawes End landing which is at 1740hrs.
We also missed the last bus back (no.77) which was at 1801hrs from Portinscale. So we had to walk back to Keswick which took about 90 mins from the foot of Catbells at the Hawes End area.
The total walk from Hawes end landing jetty along the ridge to Catbells summit, then down a path way that leads East from the ridge between Catbells and Maiden more (towards the lake). Then following the path way along the lower fells of Catbells South to North back to Hawes End. Continuing along the main road towards Portinscale, then through and over the River Derwent and along a dirt track straight into the centre of Keswick Town was 7.4 miles approximately.
I'd advise planning to get the boat back from Hawes End. In which case Hawes end to Hawes end over Catbells is around 4 miles.
You can pay for your ticket by contactless card on the boat itself if you haven't bought a return ticket.
That's it. Hopefully this contains all the main info for you to enjoy a great mini adventure in Catbells. Sounds obvious, (but I can tell you that people still underestimate the fells), but make sure you take food, drinks and proper walking gear and jacket etc for inclement weather. It can and does change very quickly up there and you're very exposed up there. It's almost always windy up there and so when you're sat admiring the view from the summit and all sweaty, you'll cool off super quick. I've included some photos if you're interested. Enjoy.
Outdoorsonaut — Google review
Beautiful walk. No need to use the car park if you staying in Keswick as you can take the ferry or walk around the north part of the lake to get there.
Views are fantastic, on the negative side it's a little too busy but most people are respectful and helpful. For those who are older or with young children, there are two scrambling sections which are unavoidable and the second would be particularly challenging with very young kids or if you are infirm.
If you want to go further and have the time/energy you can walk over the hilltops along to Maidens Moor and High Spy which is a route just after you come down the far side of Catbells. These are much less frequented and not particularly challenging after the initial climb of Catbells and takes you up to around 650m. If you are feeling particularly daring you can go even further and there is a beautiful and secluded swimming lake on past High Spy peak.
Well worth doing.
Dave Newts — Google review
This my second hike of the year .. amazing views and beautiful trails definitely recommend worth it
Miquel Lambert — Google review
Surprisingly amazing for the low altitude of this fell. Really enjoyed the hike on the way to High Spy. This fell in the Lake District National Park is very busy due to its proximity to the town of Keswick. A lot of people hike up and back down to their hotels and camping sites. Nevertheless a truly wonderful short walk and definitely a must do Wainwright. Parking for this fell is as always a problem in the peek season and you'll most likely have to pay, then walk to the beginning of Cat Bells.
Stephen Hayes — Google review
Really enjoyed the hike up Catsbells. Such amazing views! Some parts are literally clambering up rocks (make sure you go in the right direction for the loop as wouldn't want to be going down the rocks) but doable if reasonably fit and mobile. Did the 5k circular route. Parking is an issue, ensure you follow parking rules.
Natasha fallows — Google review
A nice little walk with great views of derwent. Not a bad walk and easy going. It dies get very busy as loads of people were on the way up as we desended.
Rob Morgans — Google review
Lovely day out if the weather is playing ball. Be prepared for a bit of a scramble at the top, but nothing too intense. Anyone with a fair amount of fitness should find it a doddle.
Charlene G — Google review
Catbells is a relatively easy climb for the generalist hiker. One that you can do with the kids if they’re competent. Personally if you don’t want any whinging, try when your kids are older than 8 years as it’s a progressive climb with 3 or 4 scrambling sections to its peak of just 450 metres. Don’t let the modest height of this mountain put you off. The views from the peak over Derwentwater are exquisite. A bonus is that on clear days you will find the RAF Eurofighters training overhead through the valleys of Blencathra to the northeast and over Bassenthwaite. We timed the passing jets perfectly as we meandered through the Cumbria Way near Nichol End Marina. Seeing a Typhoon 500ft above your head is quite something and the noise verging on deafening. Quite a shock for my 10 year old son! Our route from Portinscale south past Lingholm Kitchen and Gardens, up through the foothills is well sign posted. You can’t go wrong! There’s even a little snack truck where you can have a coffee and a crépe before you begin your ascent (or finish if you’re doing a loop to Portinscale). This Route 1 is around 8 miles back to Portinscale and can easily be finished in around 4 hours including a picturesque lunch on the tops. One of the best walks the Lakes has to offer.
Paul G (Paulies Travels) — Google review
Lovely walk if you follow the road around and come up the side of the lake it is more gentle as the other side you need to climb on roads
Lee Hallmark — Google review
4.9
(636)
•
5.0
(1742)
Keswick, CA12 5TU, United Kingdom
I'll never travel to Newcastle upon Tyne without this trip planner again
Derwentwater is a long, narrow lake located in the Lake District of North West England. With its tranquil landscapes and many opportunities for recreation, it is popular with visitors all year round. The lake has a network of footpaths and boating opportunities, as well as being home to Keswick Launches which take in stunning views of the surrounding fells. For those looking to explore more of the area, Borrowdale Valley is just across the lake.
A really beautiful place to walk. It's about 10 miles and takes about 4 to 6 hours to walk around, depending upon how many stops you make for refreshments. I high recommend St Mary's Mount for refreshments and tye Derwentwater Hotel.
History Academy — Google review
Beautiful ribbon lake nestled within the classic Lake District mountainous terrain. If you can get on the water, it's a great feeling, and even if not, you'll be able to feel the serenity at any point around the lake. Genuinely a stunning place especially when it's not too rainy or cloudy (good luck!) and one of my highlights when visiting the lakes.
Oliver Ling — Google review
Derwentwater is a truly magical an amazing place!! An can be certainly breath-taking over the summer month.
Takes roughly 4 - 5hrs get all way round an is about 10miles long too walk.
Ben Taylor (Benji) — Google review
Derwentwater is a beautiful lake located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. It is one of the most popular and picturesque lakes in the region, surrounded by stunning landscapes and fells. Derwentwater is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, offering scenic views, walking trails, and opportunities for boating and watersports. The lake is also dotted with several islands, including the well-known Derwent Island, which is owned by the National Trust and can be visited by boat. It's a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Mohammad Abufara — Google review
Has a circular walk around the lake, with beautiful views. Part of it is flooded at the moment, though, just before the "Chinese Bridge".
Shaun Brown — Google review
Great spot for wild swimming. Plenty of parking. Views are incredible
Moose lowe — Google review
It's a beautiful place for swimming, outing, spending leisure time/special time with you family,friends, girlfriend-boyfriend or buggy ,specially for tourists, boating, enjoy the beauty of nature.
These picture was taken last summer
Md Imtiaz Ahmed Shakib — Google review
Wandering down from Keswick for the first time, and the view emerging from the trees, is one of the few times, I was astonished in my life. It is absolutely wonderfully gorgeous, and if you have never seen it for yourself, watch the Star Wars scene where the X-Wings flew over the water. Even major film makers know a beautiful place when they see one!
Access is easy. Keswick is ten minutes walk away, there is a large carpark a few minutes away to the north, which also has toilets. The path that runs down the eastern shore soon brings you to peace and quiet, woodland mottled in sunlight from a high sun, providing shade on the hot days. And the views from all angles, are just beautiful in all the best ways, at all times of all the days.
Everything is so close here, and yet so beautiful, you can spend an hour here, or a day, and every minute is worth it
DavidStaGr — Google review
We walked round Derwentwater anticlockwise from Keswick. Its a ten mile walk on mainly flat road so isnt too strenuous and the scenery is absolutely stunning. It took around 5 hours to walk at a fairly steady pace, we did it in trainers quite easily so walking boots aren't necessary. Well worth the effort.
Alison James — Google review
The day that we visited Lake Derwentwater was really sunny. The lake was really beautiful. There is a large grass area perfect for picnics. This is a place that you must take photos of.
Priyangen Mangalaruban — Google review
We walked all round this beautiful lake the first full day we had in Keswick. Well worth the aching legs...
M. R. Parkins — Google review
Definitely worth a walk, it's even possible to catch a boat and walk different areas of the lake. The views are spectacular and change all year round. There is a good path from Keswick to Friars Crag that is suitable for wheel chair access.
Gretna Green is a town in the Scottish Highlands and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland. The town is known for its attraction of wedding venues with a symbolic anvil and coach museum, restaurant and bar. The Blacksmiths Restaurant Bar has a self-service option as well as Smiths at Gretna Green hotel which sells souvenirs and has a gift shop.
It was beautiful and amazing! You can feel the history as you walk through the stairs and look out the windows. Be sure to check out the walls and military museum. The gift shop is really nice too and worth checking out!
Avagayil Wallen — Google review
An amazing must-go attraction when visiting Scotland. There are toilets, cafés and a big souvenir shop that sells a variety of things. Although it is famous for runaway marriage in the old days, there are still many people coming here to get married (as we saw groups of properly dressed people coming to attend the wedding ceremony). It's a place that could make people feel loved and happy.
Cheri Choi — Google review
Stopped here on the way back from Scotland. Beautiful sunny day. Plenty of people getting married. Two in, two out. Lovely horses and carriage. Food on site a little expensive but ok. Outside table were a little dirty and not cleared up very quickly. Staff were friendly and offered our dog water.
john bentham — Google review
The Famous Gretna Green I think everyone should pay a visit to this charming place in stunning Scotland at list once in their lifetime.
Very touristy place but definitely worth a visit.
Lovely little shops where you can buy some fine Scotish whisky.
Also its a famous place to get married 😀
muddy_laces — Google review
For me it’s a handy place to stop off heading in either direction from the motorway as an electric car driver I usually find that the charger here is unoccupied more often than not. Large grassy area to the rear to exercise the dogs and the grounds are well maintained. I enjoyed watching all the bird life there today as well.
Brian Muir — Google review
Always wanted to go and just never had the time. Now in my retirement I just had to go on the way back from Scotland. I had herd so much of the stories my father would tell me him being a Scot now I have been I was not disappointed it is of course very modern now and of course very commercial as u expected but what a nice place very romantic and very special please if you haven’t been you must go
Stuart Mitchell — Google review
Always somewhere to visit when I come to Scotland and stay overnight at Gretna, before going up to the Highlsnds. Staff always friendly. Gift stocks a bit depleted this time and prices on some things a bit high. Buy worth a visit.
Ian Jarrett — Google review
We only stopped off for a cuppa and toilet break. Beautiful place with interesting artwork /sculptures in the yard. Glad we dropped in. Lovely brief interlude
Christine Slater — Google review
Very touristy and a bit pricey. Lots of expensive Scotish items for sale. Some nice jewellery. Nice buildings. Cafe was clean and reasonably priced for a tourist hot spot. Friendly staff and clean toilets. Free entry.
Widey xyz — Google review
We had a lovely time 'tying the knot' at Gretna. The lady that did our ceremony was lovely, friendly, helpful & took time to answer our questions, it was a really memorable experience. We had afternoon tea & explored the shops. Yes it isn't cheap, it's quite commercial & busy but nevertheless we still enjoyed ourselves & it's basically what you make it. What do you expect with somewhere that's so steeped in tradition it attracts lots of interest worldwide. The staff were all helpful & friendly, the afternoon tea was pretty good too. Not sure it's worth multiple visits but as a one off or anniversary it's a must for Love.
Dan Dan — Google review
We can't recommend Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop enough! We got married here last week, and the staff were all fantastic, and we had the most magical day!
We visited the Gretna Green experience the day before our wedding, and we loved finding out about the history of the building that we were going to get married in!
We also enjoyed the food in the restaurant and received excellent service from Ewan.
Leanne Rossin — Google review
Went there with a coach party.
We all had afternoon tea which included tea and scones.
The on-site shops were well stocked.
The Piper was in attendance playing a variety of tunes, he was cheerful and approachable. He was wearing the Black Stuart tartan.
There were a number of statues in the grounds reading for photo shoots .
The on-site shops were well stocked, there was a bit of a sale at the time
A very pleasant place to visit, it is no longer a spot on the map
Nigel Robinson — Google review
On a quiet weekday the place was very quiet. Lots of parking and room to wander round. Some parts were shut and we didn't get into the actual marriage room. The cafe only served machine coffee and this was lukewarm. Not impressed at £13+ for 2 coffees, 1 tea . 2 pieces of flapjack and a bag of crisps.
Liz Armstrong — Google review
Beautiful place. Wasn't sure what to expect but blown away with how it's all set out. You have to go in every shop as they all have something different. Go see the Blacksmiths museum, its a must. We also saw a wedding which was the icing on the cake.
Angie Moon — Google review
Nice place to stop and enjoy an ice cream and watch the weddings being held like an assembly line 😆.
Nice open space green good for picnics, a Love Maze to keep you occupied for 20mins.
Lots of retail opportunities should you wish to induldge.
Tahir Anwar — Google review
National Holidays did a stop here on way home was busy in cafe and shops but still lovely to have a walk around saw 1 wedding! Piper was amazing too
Lesley Clayton — Google review
Had a lovely afternoon here at Gretna Green. We had the handfasting blessing. The setting and service conducted by the lovely lass Hope. She made the the whole experience for my wife and I very special. Xx. Will remember that day xx thank you to to the chap in the shop the bagpipe player and the lady in the office. You all made our day. Xx thank you xx yours sincerely Steve and Annie and Luna xx
STEVE SINGLETON — Google review
Good place to visit we stopped on the way to Banff.
Very interesting shops and some bargains to be had also a good food hall.
And don't forget the piper and the weddings.
paul dalton — Google review
We checked first that dogs were allowed and it said they were except in the food hall so we drove up so we could look around. Once we arrived we found all the shops had no dogs allowed posters on the doors but we got lucky with the big Scottish shop as the lass told us we could go in with ours (would never leave them outside). We spent quite a bit in there getting presents and was a lovely shop. The two lasses were so friendly and helpful too.
Unfortunately that's were the good part ended. We ate outside, as obviously had our dogs, so had to go in separately to get our food. I had eaten mine before my partner got back and it really wasn't great. The chips were mostly not cooked through and yet this wasn't early when we got there. That night we were both unwell and could only put it down to the food we ate there. A real shame. We did see 3 couples getting married whilst we were there and the place is lovely. Obviously caught them on a bad day but we wouldn't go again.
Claire Nolan — Google review
I used to love this place it was always the first and last glimpse of all things Scottish at the start and end of trips over the border but now it's become a soulless corporate enterprise. The actual Blacksmith shop and outer area are still lovely and traditional and of course it's in a beautiful setting but it's no longer a good shopping and dining experience.
Deborah Young — Google review
Wow what an incredible bit of history tucked away. And still operating like the times of old. Excellent layout loads do shopping opportunities, great food and such lovely staff. Highly recommend this location for a day out or go big and get married here. Many photo opportunities.
zane cohen — Google review
We stopped off there only for coffee and walk the pooches. Very busy. Plenty of parking. Areas for dogs. Gift shops and restaurant. There was even Bagpipes being played.
Julie Powell — Google review
This was such a find. I had no idea of the history behind Gretna Green. We did the experience, which was £6.95 for an adult and was worth every penny. Full of history and how legislation changed marriage, together with some personal accounts and stories. It was beautifully presented.
Very friendly service from staff too.
There are several shops, a restaurant and an outdoor area with a maze and play area for children.
It's a really special place and truly worth a visit.
Andy T — Google review
Great place to visit. There is such a rich history of Gretna Green and the Famous Blacksmith Shop. Fantastic experience would definitely recommend visiting if in Scotland.
Stewart Hall-Smith — Google review
We got married here on the 22/03/2024 and we had a magical experience from start to finish. The day was absolutely perfect. Thank you to all the staff who were fantastic!
We are so glad we chose this venue and would highly recommend to anyone thinking about marrying here xxx
Lesley — Google review
Very touristic place with posh shops. Dogs are nowhere allowed. Only the "experience" is worthwhile (but you have to pay for the entrance). You even cannot visit the old Black Smit Shop (because of all the weddings going on). So, a place to visit only once and never again. If it is not on your route for your vacation, don't go there.
M vW — Google review
4.2
(7047)
•
4.0
(1639)
Headless Cross, Gretna Green, Gretna, DG16 5EA, United Kingdom
Hill Top, the Beatrix Potter House, is a charming seventeenth-century farmhouse filled with the author's personal belongings exactly as she left them. Visitors can see her boots and hat by the fireside chair and hear the ticking of her kitchen clock. The cottage garden is a delightful mix of wild flowers, herbs, fruit, and vegetables. Located in Near Sawrey, this National Trust property was purchased by Beatrix with her book royalties and later entrusted to the National Trust for preservation.
Beautiful house to explore and take you back to the olden ages. The garden is also lovely.
Car park is very small and fills up quickly. Free for National Trust members.
Nelli Bala — Google review
How lovely! Beautifully maintained property full of magic and thoroughly entertaining. The tour guides are so knowledgable about the house and to see the house used in her books is wondrous! The garden is the cherry on the cake. I would have gone to the cafe but went to the pub instead for a cheeky feeling good pint!
Matt English — Google review
Wonderful place to visit especially if you are a Beatrix Potter fan. House kept as she left it, with all her own belongings inside. Fantastic to see originals of books and letters.
Staff give brief history of house before entering and are placed around the house, available for questions.
Vegan food truck available in the gardens with lots of cakes, pastries, ice-creams and beverages.
Booking is a must, as given an alloted time slot due to small parking facility and size of property.
Gardens as pictured in the books. Attention to detail and references to books and illustrations throughout. A must see!!
Luna — Google review
Time travel is real! How did Beatrix Potter leave behind her legacy so timelessly? I'm not sure, but I'm so glad she did. I'm pretty sure I saw Tom Kitten scurrying off around the garden. Thank you to all who have preserved her story telling and inspiration, Hill Top. My only wish would be to have found Jemima Puddle-duck's sixth missing egg. Well hidden, my Friends!!
Joanie Fisher — Google review
Lovely people, calming atmosphere. Beautiful house and gardens. Very well maintained. The guidebook is well worth buying. Loved the gifts in the shop but gutted we didn't get chance to go in the little book nook before that closed.
Kerrie Ann — Google review
Miss Potter's house with many original interiors. Small garden area to sit too. Gift shop with some Potter gifts. No tea room. Tickets have to be booked in advance so check on website.
Jeanette Ziegenbalg — Google review
This is one of the most amazing places we've visited. Unbelievable step back in time to Beatrix Potters house exactly how she left it. Book online before you go or you won't get in, Get there early as parking is limited (about 30 spaces) short walk through the village to the house. There is a small refreshments shed at the bottom of the garden selling, tea, coffee, cajes etc and benches to sit and reflect It doesn't take long to get around the house and gardens but it is well worth a visit and is now my favourite NT place to visit.
sarg_1975 — Google review
Really lovely place, even in the rain! We actually walked up from the chain ferry which we caught up from Ferry Nab carpark. Once you get off its very well signposted and as you go you take in Claife viewing station.
The signposts say its 4 miles but we think those are cumbria miles as we thought it was further!
The house itself was lovely. Very charming. Staff were very helpful and knowledgeable.
You can park there but I would imagine it was very busy in the holidays.
bec brown — Google review
Literally one of the highlights of my trip in the Lake District. I loved the area and I love the house. It’s like walking into someone’s imagination and seeing the creations come to life. I learned a lot about Beatrix Potter and gained a greater understanding of the writer and the books. The guides are super helpful and insightful you could ask them any questions. The one guide in the upstairs room to the left was so kind. We had a great conversation about Potter, the society and art during her life. It was really great to speak to people who are so passionate about history.
Tip: book ahead
Also they have a great coffee cart outside and the toilets are clean.
Dominique Saayman — Google review
Book in advance and arrive earlier if you want to get parked. Otherwise you may have to park further down the road and the spaces truly are limited. The house is a true gem. When we arrived, the fireplace was on 🔥 We have learned a lot about Beatrix Potter and I can understand why she left London for the Lake District 💚 Love the Peter Rabbit tales!
Kamila Simms — Google review
Wonderful, you can actually feel her presence in the rooms, and the location was inspirational, no wonder she loved it there. Can't wait to revisit in the summer to see the garden in all its glory, as a national trust member we walked straight in, pre booking is advisable as it has limited parking
Sheila Matthews — Google review
Fascinating place and every one of the National Trust staff and guides were very helpful and knowledgeable. We went about midday in the middle of March, definitely booking ahead is advised because parking spaces were limited!
Nigel Davies — Google review
This is definitely a must-visit spot. Definitely if you are familiar with Beatrix Potter and her famous children books (Peter the Rabbit) but also if you are not.
It’s highly recommended to buy tickets in advance. There is also some tickets available for walk-ins but these are few.
Liat Weinstock — Google review
Fantastic visit as it was really quiet and the caretakers were able to spend time explaining with a true passion each room to us fascinating to see the furniture as it was when she was there and to understand what a switched on lady she was right down to the merchandise display from the 1930/40s recommend a visit it of season but the walled garden will be a little bare even before Peter rabbit has visited
Mark Westall — Google review
A wonderful insight to the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter and the inspiration for many of her books, seeing where the national trust was really born.
The house is most home, full of Beatrix's things, you can see she really would have lived here.
Parking is a short walk away with a walk along the road to the house, but all perfectly signed, be warned the road doesn't have a footpath.
Lovely little shop, and a nice garden to wander it sit and ponder in, several things for children to do as well with Peter rabbit and friends weaved into the garden.
And if you have a national trust passport well worth getting it stamped here! If you don't have a passport worth getting one to find out why!
Richard Goodyear — Google review
Famous 19 th century writers house
If you have the National trust pass you can park and enter free. Nice experience for the young children
If you are traveling around Lake District recommend place to visit.
tharaka premarathne — Google review
Lovely visit. Exactly what you would expect from a national trust facility. Beautiful home and gardens which shows how Beatrix Potter found her inspiration for her books.
John Clements — Google review
Honestly I don’t understand everyone’s obsession with this place. Such a kafafle to visit such a small place.
Had to attempt 3 times to get there, one because there was no parking, second because there was no parking and also because, by the time we found parking, our slots passed and we gave up. We returned the third time and realised we could have visited other, more interesting places in all the time we lost trying to get in here.
The reason for the 4 stars is , firstly the staff was very nice and helpful, secondly, their stamps are like no other. Wasn’t impressed by the place tho.
Alexandra-Gabriela Comandasu — Google review
This is a very beautiful place. If you are a Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit fan, this is definitely a bucket list item.
You can observe that the intro of Peter Rabbit cartoon was filmed in this very cottage. Even the garden and the roadside were included. I was overwhelmed by its similarity to the cartoon.
You should book in advance. Toilets are available at the property and not in the tickets office
nuwani Amarasinghe — Google review
We booked our tickets in advance with our National Trust membership card because you can’t visit without a booking. The parking was a bit away from the house and we had to walk for 2-3 minutes. It wasn’t easy with the car and muddy road. The house is lovely and it’s interesting to see how she used to live here. The garden is also nice but it’s overall very small. We spent 40 minutes and we saw everything I think. But it is worth it if you like Beatrix Potter.
Melanie Mengüs — Google review
A bit of a walk through the village (with no pavement) to get there from the carpark/ticket office. The house is so cozy and lovely and full of Beatrix's actual things. It's full of information and just a nice house! Really worth visiting if you're a fan (but maybe not if you're too little to enjoy furniture). Went in early March but imagine the gardens are beautiful on the summer. Staff so friendly!
K T — Google review
Book in advance!, and be aware parking is limited!
Lovely setting, great house with everything Beatrix Potter inside. Detail of her life and books.
Garden is nice and has cafe area and gift shop
Marc Treneman — Google review
This was a joy to visit!
They have an outdoor cafè, toilets and a gift shop.
The carpark is not very big, and it's a few minute's walk to the propert from the carpark, so NT asks you to book a time slot for your visit. The village is small with 1 pub, in the summer you will struggle to park here. They do except walk ups on days that are not very busy.
Enjoy.
Windermere is a large, glacial-fed lake located in the north end of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. It's popular for its scenic views, beautiful mountain peaks and pretty villages surrounding it. It's also a great place to go swimming, boating and fishing.
Lovely views, different parts to explore and also have alittle fair for the children. Plenty of places to eat but will cost you alittle, deffinetly worth packing a picnic as there is plenty of green spaces to have a lovely picnic. We went on the boat ride which was lovely experience, plenty of boats to ride and easy to book, as well as lovely staff. Parking took us a little looking around but eventually found a spot, easy to pay through a app or by cash. Toliets you have to pay for, they do have a free on hidden within the park area.
Love Honestly — Google review
💙___𝐀𝐖𝐄𝐒⭕𝐌𝐄___💙 place in the UK 🇬🇧 😎. I 100% recommend visiting this place. You can relax here. Your mind will be fresh by the natural environment. Get extra clothes for swimming 🏊♂️ in the water. And take swimming sandals. 🏊♂️ I love this place. Wonderful place. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧
Sda Rasel — Google review
Beautiful lake, wonderful cruise despite the rainy weather.
You can take dogs on the ship, the ship's crew gave our dogs snacks.
We left the car in the parking lot at the train station where we started our day.
Sylwia Hukowska — Google review
Beautiful lake and beautiful surroundings.
Such a shame about the pot holed roads and the amount of traffic though. A few buildings in desperate need of some tlc too.
Chris — Google review
Beautiful lake,the view can dissolve in the souls of seekers of nature,every fathom produces the upper ripples make the sense in the creative birth of natural phenomena when ferry moves,side by side historical buildings on the bank letting everyone why the lake is important,business and the people way of living give immense understanding of nature and it's creation.
Paul Inbaraj Pillai — Google review
The lake itself is a fine example of natural beauty. It's the largest lake in England, apparently. It was lovely to get on a boat and explore it. The surrounding area of the lake, particularly in Bowness-on-Windermere, leaves a little to be desired.
Parking is very difficult, first finding a space, then queuing at insufficient machines that are also ancient. For me it's one of those where it's nice to visit once, but not somewhere I'd be rushing to return to.
Dal — Google review
Amazing scenery! Could rival most similar places in the World !! It is a tricky drive in a car as the roads are narrow and winding but we managed it in a motorhome and it was definitely worth it
Lisa Kirk — Google review
Lovely lake with stunning scenery. You can choose a variety of boat trips to explore the lake and scenery. There are public toilets and plenty of parking located close by. There are also a variety of museums, shops, cafes and pubs.
Barbara Bowen — Google review
Bowness on Windermere is lovely and lots to eat,drink and see. Would recommend The Ro Hotel as plenty parking and handy for town.
Barbara Harrigan — Google review
Absolutely beautiful area, locals are really nice and helpful. Weather was beautiful when i went. Really advise everyone to prebook restaurants, cafes or activities as its mobbed this time of year. Everything is in walking distance too 👍
Reiss Adams — Google review
Perfect lake scenery. What can I say to the Great Lake District? Anyway too many tourists along the harbours for boat hiring makes it somehow crowded and deducted the lakes quietness a bit in my humble opinions.
Jack Kwong — Google review
Beautiful place in Lake District,
Tourist attraction and boat hire and cruise booking. We took cruise tickets and enjoyed a trip and see nearby attraction from the cruise in the lake, kids enjoy the cruise and beautiful views and capture many photos.
Majid Khan — Google review
Such a lovely place, we have visited it on our trip to the Haven holiday park located in Lake District. Very peaceful and every single person we have meet been so friendly to us. A place well worth to go to and explore.
Andrzej Papiewski (Daemonum) — Google review
A direct bus route from Kendal to Windermere is available, offering passengers a scenic and aesthetically pleasing journey. The locale boasts exceptional beauty and tranquility, particularly noted during a March visit. Despite the chilly weather, the snow-clad mountains enhanced the visual experience. A brief ascent of a modest hill afforded a commendable panoramic view. Regrettably, time constraints prevented a comprehensive hike, a consideration for subsequent visits
Shipra Joshi — Google review
Largest lake in the district- beautiful
Take the regular tourist boats to all the stops - they give info along the way.
Bob Hope — Google review
I have visited Lake Windermere two times during the winter. The first time was in 2021 and the second was in the first week of 2024.
Lake Windermere is huge and is great for wild swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking.
Angus Davidson — Google review
Nice place. Good value parking. Stream nearby was nice and pleasant. Lake view from hilltop was excellent
A K — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous views from the museum and honest pretty much anywhere that you stop around the lake.
I have not visited since I was a child and really enjoyed just sitting and taking in the scenery.
As with a lot of Cumbria if you visit on dry days it's stunning.
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is a family-friendly attraction that takes visitors on an interactive journey through some of the world's most beloved stories written by British author Beatrix Potter. The exhibit includes a recreation of the English countryside complete with sights, sounds and smells from the tales.
Really good museum. Love the displays and story.
The only thing I would say even though it is wheelchair accessible, in places it is very tight and dark. Furthermore, the attraction exit is especially tight and the slope outside the entrance is very steep just be careful.
Nick Wisdom — Google review
What a magical place. At the entrance I didn't expect much but once inside I was surprised. It was full of beauty and imagination magic. The scenes are put together well and lots of information around the trail.
There is a children's activity booklet that is free and worth doing. Lots of questions and quizzes to help keep the children engaged.
My only improvement would be the attraction could do with being in a bigger setting as was only small and compact.
Ann M — Google review
If you grew up with Beatrix Potter books & stories then you would find this place interesting. My Mrs & 7yo daughter loved it, I was bored. Being half term we expected it to be busy, queued for 45 minutes. I recommend that you get there early as the nearby car park was practically full by 10:40. A bit claustrophobic in places. Spent about an hour there , personally I would rather have saved my £9 . Staff were good & friendly. Seafarers chip shop opposite does nice fish & chips. You can’t buy tickets in advance neither
Gary Read — Google review
Absolutely mesmerizing. A more immersive adventure through a whimsical and enchanting storybook world it would be hard to find, even at fancy expensive Disney amusement parks. If you have any appreciation for the idyllic and ethereal rural landscapes of bygone days, and you probably do if you're in the Lake District, come here. It is one of the most imaginative and whimsical places I have seen lately, playful without being extravagant or gaudy. The sensory details here are nothing short of remarkable: frogs on spinning lily pads, small and cozy houses among the lakes and burbling streams, even a canopy of russet autumn leaves accompanied by chattering squirrels. Walking through this place feels like being transported back to the unadorned, winsome curiosity and sincerity of old folklore and fable.
Joshua Fagan — Google review
We had a great visit a few weeks ago. A place of wonder and imagination, bringing back memories of the stories as a child... We highly recommend going and exploring The World of Beatrix Potter. No complaints... We got some good tips for plants from the friendly gardener too!
Edward James Turrall — Google review
A wonderful place to indulge yourself in the classic Petter Rabbit and other lovely stories by Beatrix Potter
The attraction begins with a short film introducing the life of Beatrix Potter and her connections with the Lake District, followed by the vivid characters depicted in her stories. These story settings are relatively in a small scale but delicate.
The electronic panels next to the sets help visitors explore more about the character. However, some are broken and not yet repaired for use.
Hao-Ting Chuang — Google review
Fantastic experience with our family and three year old grandson. He was transfixed by all the displays and loved every single minute of our visit. We also had tickets to Peter Rabbit’s birthday party in the theatre which was also very, very, very enjoyable. The cast were fantastic and engaged with all the children in the audience. We also had lunch in the cafe which was fab too.
Steve Booth — Google review
This attraction in the Lake District celebrates everything about Beatrix Potter – the 20th century English author and illustrator who is best known for her imaginative children’s books, the most famous of all being The Tale of Peter Rabbit. She wrote 23 books in total. Well worth a visit with the family or even solo. Friendly staff and well priced gifts. Lovely garden too!
Jo Webber — Google review
Adults will gain as much pleasure from visiting here as children will. My husband and I spent almost 2 hours walking through the amazing scenery and underground world of these animals. Some families were moving through more quickly but we were admiring all the attention to tiny detail eg a teeny blanket for a life size mouse had been hand stitched! Half way round you walk through the small, but utterly charming, outdoor garden of Mr McGregor before continuing your journey. Absolutely delightful. The cafe was very good - cheese scone & home made soup, tea, coffee & lemon drizzle cake, all made by the cook. We thought it was good value for money and a wonderful place to visit.
Arlene Harris — Google review
Great few hours of fun! Learned a lot about the world of Beatrix Potter that I never knew. Staff were very friendly and nice. Only took a star off as 2 interactive screens were broken. Otherwise great attraction especially with toddler aged kids.
Kevin McAuley — Google review
We really enjoyed it here! It is laid out really well. The characters are dotted all over the place and some are hidden away that you have to spot.
The garden area is very pretty and well maintained. Although it is quite small lots of effort is put into making it look fantastic. We would definitely recommend!
Karl Venus — Google review
Such a lovely little experience! I wasn’t really sure what it included but was so surprised by the level of detail and effort! You first watch a short film about Beatrix Potter before taking a walk through essentially the world she created! It was absolutely stunning and very interesting! I also found the gift shop to be very well priced! Highly recommend for anyone who is Beatrix Potter fan, young or older 😊
Gem Leanne — Google review
Went when I was a child over 10 years ago, but it still carries the same charm and whimsy it did then! Beautiful soundtrack as you walk round, interactive screens that compliment the models and props nicely, as well as an adorable garden (it was also nicely air conditioned).
Shannon Burnside — Google review
As an adult without I absolutely enjoyed visiting this attraction. Basically it’s just a walkthrough with scenes inspired by Beatrix Potter books. It is very well made and immersive with sounds and smells. It’s not for everyone I guess but I really loved it. I was just a bit confused by why there was a Peter Rabbit character taking pictures with people outside the attraction but the staff told me you had to pay extra money or something. It was a bit awkward but other than that this attraction is really amazing and magical.
Melanie Mengüs — Google review
We had our lunch at cafe in the shop. The highlight was definitely Afternoon Tea. The teapot looked decent too. I’d suggest Picnic Basket better coming with a basket 🧺
Teki Chan — Google review
I love it here! I went for the first time when I was really small but visited again as an adult with my best friend. Gorgeous displays and a cosy atmosphere, and when we went you could take home radish seeds to plant. Very cute and a nice gift shop.
Jess — Google review
This is a wonderful place! Full of excitement and fun for people of all ages.
I would highly recommend popping in to see the story of Beatrix Potter if you are nearby and looking for an hour or so of fun.
There is a cafe and plenty of toilet facilities.
The place caters to all walking abilities and those otherwise bound to other mobility devices.
Don't forget to look at the cute badger! Although you can't buy any badger memorabilia......
FlapJack_Matt — Google review
I thought that it had a decent amount of Peter Rabbit models including Mr McGregor's garden and greenhouse. They also included a kids activity book that my daughter was very interested in. I think overall it is a great place to bring your kids for some fun.
Mark Caruso — Google review
Very good as shows parts of her life and her superb books. Great time with my friend's family.
Dark Rose — Google review
I'll be honest I've only been slightly exposed to the stories (and the films) and didn't quite know what to expect from 'the attraction'. What a delight. Life size models of the characters bringing the Potter world to life (except they don't move). You can't help but admire the effort gone into each one. Plenty of details at youngster height to entertain also.
Paul MJ Stone — Google review
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Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BX, United Kingdom
The cathedral of Carlisle is a small Gothic building that features finely decorated choir stalls from the 15th century. The building was badly damaged in the English Civil War and only part of the nave remains.
Beautiful. Traditional Stunning architecture and decor. Steeped in history. Loved our visit here. Cafe in the grounds. Toilet facilities. Wheelchair access etc Well worth a visit and right round the corner from town centre which is full of little places to eat, gift store and bars.
Caz Bitz — Google review
We were greeted by a friendly guide who gave us a five minute pocket guide to the Cathedral which was well worthwhile.
This is an interesting building in that there is a definite break between the two architectural styles of Norman and Gothic.
The Treasury in the new crypt is also impressive.
Allow about 30 minutes for a visit.
We happily gave the £3 suggested donation.
Jocelyn Twose — Google review
Wonderful cathedral, a must visit if in Carlisle. Quite dark inside but it was off-peak times and during the day so understandable. Very helpful members of staff around the building to answer any questions.
Sekhmet — Google review
Fantastic day. Did not realise that a new cafe had been built here about 5 years ago. Sympathetically designed and greatly enhances the visitor experience. Will now be a regular haunt for us. There was a concert rehearsal so great to listen to this.
Julia King — Google review
A very impressive and well designed Cathedral. Every single thing in the church is beautifully detailed and well kept. Every person there was lovely and very helpful. One of the better UK cathedrals I've been to.
Ellie Clayton — Google review
Carlisle cathedral is Beautiful. Lovely atmosphere feeling as you go in. The people were singing. Free to go in. You can leave a donation when your visit is finished. Light a candle 🕯 for your love ones. ❤️ lots to look at and enjoy your visit.
Robert Clelland (Rab) — Google review
Beautiful church. Its beautiful Inside the church, with a stunning architecture. You get a pocket guide which explains everything about the church. It is not open for visit on Sundays but you can enter for free on all other days. There are many stained glass windows with murals. The altar and the woodworks within the altar is stunning. The ceiling seems to be newly painted with stars in blue background which was really cool to look at. Organ pipes were stacked in the walls outside a hidden chamber and the guide explained that they will be played only during service.
Over all stunning and peaceful place.
Jithin S Mankad — Google review
Breathtakingly beautiful inside. Stained glass is wonderful, and the wood carvings in the choir are just incredible. There are some interesting panels depicting the lives of various saints scattered around the cathedral, so be sure to take in all the details before leaving. If you're visiting the city this is a must-see!
okay, this is epic — Google review
Great little cathedral. It was beautiful, and enough to see but not overwhelming like some some other, larger cathedrals. The staff were very friendly and they have a nice laminated guide to point out key things to see in the church with a quick description. Worth checking out
Madelyn Mattern — Google review
Absolutely stunning cathedral set back slightly from the main shopping area (I expected it to be further away like the castle), boasting the largest full flowing stained glass window in the uk and the cloisters ceiling. From the minute you enter the ground it takes your breath, and the more you look the more you see, like the fist sized gargoyle carvings all around the window rims and intricate details of everything.
Upon entering (this happened the first time but not the second as the lady looked busy with guests) I was given a laminated paper with info and ‘what’s where’ drawings on however it’s very easy to navigate without.
The cathedral is free however you are able if desire to give a donation of any amount. The recommended is £4.
Downstairs is a small “museum” of sorts.
The place is definitely worth a visit and pass an hour unless you take time to sit and reflect or simply marvel. The grounds have other interesting places and a coffee shop which is a tad on the expensive side but it’s what id expect given location.
If you do visit, make sure you use the mirror below the ceiling for a better look at it, it really is something special.
Also if you take the time to read the history it is an even more interesting place. Overall a very well preserved, peaceful, beautiful, astounding place.
Leanne Harrison — Google review
Absolutely well worth a visit. Just don't miss it if you can. Free entry but donation welcome. Also a very nice little coffee shop for a break. Will be going again when in Carlisle
John Andrew Hodgkinson — Google review
This was a huge red sandstone building that had evolved over the last 900 years and looks like a lot of the ornamental stonework was replaced recently. Outside there were the remains of the original Augustinian cloisters and a nice cafe area and inside I was almost the only visitor. There were a few original Norman features and some amazing medieval paintings too.
The ceiling had been repainted in the 1860’s and really added to the serenity of the building. There was a lot of magnificent stained glass and also regimental colours, now faded and darkened. Moving with the times the cathedral had contactless donation terminals which was a great idea as I had no cash.
Marcus Hurley — Google review
Beautiful cathedral. We came to sign the Queen's Book of Condolence. We had a look around at some of the beautiful architecture and artefacts. Well worth a look around.
karen hopkins — Google review
Free to visit. Very welcoming. Beautiful stained glass windows. Wonderful ceiling full of stars. Lovely Cafe. Go and visit if you can.
Nic Dorset — Google review
An attractive cathedral with a stunning interior, situated in well kept grounds. Highlights include the beautiful starlight ceiling, magnificent stained glass east window and medieval painted panels.
The helpful staff are happy to answer questions, or provide information sheets to guide you around the cathedral. The treasury exhibition is highly informative and houses an impressive collection of artefacts.
Accessibility is very good and there's no charge to visit, but donations are welcomed to help maintain the cathedral. The grounds are well worth a look, with ruins of the Augustinian priory. There's also a well staffed café on site serving lunch and refreshments.
The cathedral is open between 07:30 and 18:30 Monday to Friday, and until 17:00 on weekends.
Andrew Thomas — Google review
Beautiful. I was lucky enough to be there when there was an organist playing. It was breathtaking.
The star ceiling is unbelievable, so pretty. There are deckchairs to sit in and marvel at the stars.
The staff are lovely and helpful.
Not a massive building, but it's absolutely beautiful
Lynn Thompson — Google review
Must see when in Carlisle. Loads of history. There’s also a nightly choir and organ recital. I missed this but would be so great to see an hear in this amazing cathedral.
Brandt Tracey — Google review
We stopped to grab a bite on our way to Edinburgh. Then we decided we would visit the cathedral. Nice bit of local history and architecturally sound. We spent a few hours here. They have a quest for the kids as well. The volunteers engaged well with adults and kids alike.
Tarun Bharadwaj Natam — Google review
No tickets required to enter the church. It was a beautiful visit and there are guides in the church whom you can ask questions. Once your visit is over there is a cafe inside to take a break. When you exit the church you can give a donation voluntarily.
Jen — Google review
The cathedral is really pretty, not big but interesting and worth seeing.
Read about the story of the stars on the ceiling.:) Free entrance, easy to reach, right in the city centre, it takes a few minutes to visit.
Aurelia Ghenuche — Google review
Excellent!! Don't know how the folks of old managed to climb the steps, so narrow, with all their kit on. Brilliant place to visit
Nigel Gardner — Google review
Worth visiting when exploring Carlisle. Free entry, of course, a donation is always appreciated. The visitor shop has some great items available to purchase
Carl Whittle — Google review
A must see when you're in the area. As you enter, immediately on your left there's a rune engraving in the wall, very peculiar to find something like that in a cathedral. The blue ceiling and the organs are quite something. Do go down to the treasury, there are very beautiful items.
Lowther Castle & Gardens is a historical landmark located in the Lake District, England. The estate was once home to the Earls of Lonsdale and features beautiful gardens as well as a cafe and shop. Kids will love spending time at the Adventure Playground which is located on site.
This place was so good! We arrived and the courtyard was beautiful somewhere to sit, eat, drink and use toilet facilities! The toilets were lovely and clean! The cafe was spacious and also clean. Lots of choice hot and cold food! The castle itself is just stunning we set off around the garden and found some little wooden houses which were like something out of a film I loved them! The different flowers rockery and views walking around just top it off! The scented garden was amazing! We then went into the woods on our quest to find the hidden castle 🏰 it was playground for the children to our surprise (we have no kids) but it looked ace! You can get food at the top near this too lovely hut under the low trees! Parking is free! You can get bikes to hire which we didn’t do but we are hoping to do that next time!
Samantha Lloyd — Google review
Superb adventure playground. Easy parking. Pretty building. Decent cafe with friendly staff. Gardens still a bit of a work in progress, but coming along nicely. Nice views.
D Underwood — Google review
The views and the Adventure Park were amazing. Castle is cool too. The best part was the Adventure playground and the obstacle course in the woods. It was definitely the best my kids have been to and we had so much fun running through it with them. So much to explore! We will definitely be back many times!
Brie D — Google review
Lots of carpark space
Stunning grounds to explore
Huge area with views & different themes
It's great to look around the historic Castle
Impressive architecture & history
Great for all the family (especially young ones)
Good facilities, cafe, toilets in historic courtyard
Bit pricey we thought, especially when the castle, grounds & exhibition are still under restoration & not all available to see/enjoy.
But we'll worth a visit if the weather is nice, dog friendly & will be stunning when fully restored.
Lewis Walch — Google review
Wow this place is truly amazing! Perfect location for families. Get your self a picnic made up and spend the day with lots of exploring of the beautiful grounds.
The kids lost castle park is worth the extra fee alone. It is huge! The kids will never get bored as there is so much to chose from, it is perfect.
Michael Jubb — Google review
Absolutely fantastic day out. My son loved the 'Lost Castle' adventure playground, it's huge! The grounds are massive filled with summerhouses and tree swings. Perfect place to take your dog too. We loved it.
Vicky Holmes — Google review
The estate walks offer stunning views of the moors with Ullswater and the pennies in the distance. The eight mile loop is particularly good. Look out for the Fell ponies with their long mains. Also, the lost castle is a great playground for kids. The gardens are beautiful. Ample parking is available, and it is free. Well maintained and beautiful in every aspect.
Roger Kirby — Google review
Beautiful place to visit. Such an interesting castle. This would be magnificent if fully restored to its former glory. The lost castle for the children and even adults who also participated in the slides. Toddlers sand pit, zip lines swings perfect for the children of all ages.
The whole of the castle is well laid out and a pleasure to walk around. History of its demise in 1939 and how it was used in war time.
The cafe has a lunch and tea menu, and ice cream. We had our own picnic.
Georgina Scholick-West — Google review
Beautiful grounds, huge area to explore with children or for a quiet wander. We paid for entrance into the castle and castle gardens and I'd absolutely recommend ypu doing the same because the garden they've created with the castle walls are stunning. They have a wonderful cafe with hot and cold food available and plenty of refreshments. We'll maintained toilet facilities and ample parking space. Ypu will enjoy visiting lowther Castle and gardens.
Emily Emz — Google review
Gorgeous gardens with lots to do and see. The kids playground is AMAZING! The only thing that let it down was the lack of mobility aids. Many gardens and parks we have previously visited have had wheelchair rental or the use of a buggy to help cart those will mobility issues around.
Emily Harrison — Google review
Great place for the whole family. The baby zipwire is a must if you have small kids (my 1yo loved it), and the adventure playground is great for bigger kids. The castle was great too, and the cafe served a good range of food for all the family.
Tom Sayer — Google review
Another highlight of our stay in the Lake District. The castle and gardens are great to explore. Lots of outdoor space to sit and relax. There is a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Also one of the biggest and best adventure playgrounds I've ever seen, our kids loved it!
Stephen Lee — Google review
Had a great day out here The grounds are huge and great to see work in progress for such an impressive site Would suggest getting there early and having food first as the cafe area is free to enter so gets very busy! We had a very nice ice cream before the walk around. Such interesting history loved reading about the Yellow Earl and his love of life sounded such an interesting character!
Tracey Parker — Google review
Breathtaking.. honestly couldn’t believe how stunning and well preserved Lowther Castle and the general estate has been kept. There was so much charm and character and stories in every corner! We spent the whole day here and would go again and again if I could!
Daniella LK — Google review
What a brilliant place to visit. Museum was interesting and well laid out. The castle ruin was beautiful to be able to meander though. Garden grounds were very well maintained. Coffee shop/cafe was very reasonable. The kids play area is one of the best we’ve been to and a must visit if in the area with children. Nestled in the wooded gardens it’s huge with everything from toddler sand pits to zip wires. Went as a large family group of mixed ages and there was something for everyone. Will definitely visit again.
Anna Warren — Google review
What an absolutely stunning place to visit. The museum was interesting, the castle was partly ruined but still beautiful, the gardens were colourful and varied. The temporary ceramic daffodil display was lovely to see. We spent a couple of hours here but would have spent more time if we had time as we missed some of the garden and woodland walks. Definitely a 'must visit'.
Tara Sanders — Google review
Lovely location and grounds and a fantastic castle to look at from outside. The internal museum isn't fantastic but the gardens make up for that.
Best outdoor kids playground we've been to, I'd say (and we've been to a few).
Marcus Rogers — Google review
*Felt like a mini-disney land 🏰*
We went for easter and the easter- eggs treasure hunt made the experience more exciting for us. It's one of the castles in Lake districts that isn't a leftover building ruin (memes xD).
The family has great passion for gardening and it was quite evident in how they showcased through the humongous area for sight seeing different species of trees, plants and flora. The natural (& man-edited) view of this place is pleasing and we couldn't help but enjoy the fantastic green views all around us.
They've got advanced + in person booking available. A little crowded, given it was a public holiday. Nice staff, decent amount of information about thr royal family, map(brochure) was really helpful for navigation; an excellent spot to take your family and kids. They've also got a dedicated spot at the very end for kids' plays area and park. Toilets were neat at the entrance. A restaurant at the beginning and a cafe at the end of the voyage. Perfect spot for summer outing with family and friends 👨👨👧👦
Karthikesh B (Karthi) — Google review
I was very impressed with the progress. Such a shame the building internals were torn down.
Progress in the gardens is good to see.
Food in the restaurant was surprisingly good!
Dave Wilson — Google review
WOW. This place isn't just family friendly, the whole place has been thoughtfully designed with families in mind. Brilliant for kids who enjoy a bit of exploring, even if they can't walk that far. And the Lost Castle playground is the biggest and best we have ever seen - absolutely stunning. The café is great too.
We came in the middle of December - the weather was against us but we loved the feeling of having the place to ourselves!
Ben Horrigan — Google review
Beautiful castle with an interesting family history. The cafe menu was amazing & I wished we had more time to spend there. They are having some restoration done on the outer walls, so there are building works going on at the moment . The weather put us off visiting the gardens, so we decided to come back again to spend time exploring them. A place to return to again and again.
Angela Baker — Google review
Wow what a place!! We will definitely be coming back in summer when the gardens are in bloom.
We have watched this place for many years and love what they have done to the place. Visitor centre, gardens, children's play area likevyou have never seen before and acre and acres to wander in - brilliant!!
Woodland resort with a range of lodging options, plus kids' activities, shopping, dining and a spa.
Perfect tranquil location in the forest. Lots of activities to do and a fantastic subtropical swimming pool. Good variety of eating places. Huck's food was tasty and a good atmosphere. Also good cocktails. Bowling and amusement arcade were good too. Brilliant for families to enjoy quality time together. Highly recommend!
Laura Aitken — Google review
We had a great holiday at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest.
The lodge we stayed in was very clean and tidy, with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
We were a 2 minute walk to the village centre which was great.
It can be pricey to do activities and to eat out at Center Parcs, but the food and activities are always good.
Around the village centre everything was clean and all covid safety protocols were in place.
There are a few gift shops and a supermarket on site.
The subtropical swimming paradise was great for all of the family, with slides and rapids, for hours of fun.
There is an outdoor pool which is great, it's a bit slippy on the tiles, but also be aware at this time of year it's freezing outside, so from the door to the pool you will get cold, but the heated pool is great and well worth it.
We saw staff cleaning all the time, they do a great job.
Overall I would definitely recommend this Center Parcs as a great holiday destination, for all the family, young and old.
There are plenty of places to walk, activities indoor and out for you to enjoy.
JJ Dabreo — Google review
Beautiful setting, everywhere nice and clean. Best place to eat (in our opinion) was Huck, friendly staff (Richard W)
The only criticism I have is that they don't seem to promote (on site) any activities, so we missed a lot we feel. Otherwise a great mini break
k winters — Google review
We have had a fantastic break. The activities available were great. Every single member of staff we interacted with were extremely friendly. Great food in the restaurants. We will definitely be back.
The lodge was good overall. However, one issue was the kitchen in the lodge was not very practical. The gas oven was very poor. The shower curtain was far too long. A few basic toiletries like soap for washing hands and extra toilet rolls would be great.
Overall a great break and would highly recommend.
Paul Clark — Google review
Just back from the perfect family break with activities for 3 generations. The lodge was clean and comfortable. Everyone working in the park was friendly and helpful and made us feel very welcome - nothing was too much trouble. We all really enjoyed the swimming area and the outdoor and indoor play areas were excellent. We will be back!!
Wendy B — Google review
Amazing place for a holiday and would definitely recommend for it for anyone looking for a holiday. Pool is great and big. The sports is amazing for little kids and adults. Slot of clubs which is good. And rooms are very very big and even the 1 floor house is very big as well as well as the VIP and 2 floored houses. Five ⭐!!!!
James Flynn — Google review
This has been the most magical Christmas holiday ever. Center parcs pulled out all the stops to make it so festive and enjoyable for kids and adults alike. The winter wonderland is worth a visit on its own. The check in experience was good, albeit there were queues to get in which I am told was to be expected. The lodges are spacious and well equipped. It was clean too. We only had a 5 to 10 minute walk to the village centre. We found the swimming really fun, although getting in early was advisable as it gets busy. The on-site shops and restaurants offered plenty of variety. We booked a Santa visit for our little one. It included a present and 2 x photos with Santa. If you have kids, try to get along to see the Santa parade on an evening. In general this is just a lovely place to relax, take a walk and soak up the Christmas vibe. Yes it's not cheap but if you can afford it, I'd highly recommend it
Chris Gill — Google review
Great place for a young family, everything conveniently located (sometimes a bit of a long walk from the outer most cabins) loads of stuff for the kids to do and nice clean facilities. My only dislike was the beds, if you like a firm mattress then your in luck because I have slept on softer floors, nothing like waking up feeling like you have gone 10 rounds in the ring.
michael chapman — Google review
Just back from a 4 night stay. Great place to get together. Well equipped lodge although a wee bit tired. A bit of attention to detail required but all in all a good experience. Nice time of year to go with all the fairy lights. Sport's bar is a nice place to go for food and drinks. Staff throughout the whole park were lovely.
Yvonne McLaughlin — Google review
Had a fabulous time, the pool area was lovely, the spa was amazing definitely recommend a trip there but make sure you book everything in advance because restaurants and activities fill up really quickly. Lodge was lovely but the oven took quite a while to cook everything! Recommend taking the low quality ovens into account when you start cooking, don't wait til you're starving!!
Beth Shepherd — Google review
Had such a wonderful holiday here, really can’t fault it. Lodges were lovely, clean and filled with everything we needed. Staff were always friendly and helpful. Facilities were fantastic - the pool, play parks and walks around the forest could take up all your time (and all are free). Shops were well stocked for anything you would need. We ate out at the lakeside inn and the food was delicious - recommend a burger! Coming back as soon as we can!
David Fotheringham — Google review
The accommodation was first class, and everything was included. We even had a family of ducks visit daily. The staff were amazing, nothing was too much trouble and the swimming pool was really warm, spotlessly clean and great fun. We went with 3 teenagers and they really enjoyed the activities. Definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star experience despite the rain ☔
Bobbie Dawson — Google review
Had a great visit. Accommodation was fantastic with great facilities.
Rooms were spacious and comfortable.
The fact that cars are parked away from the accommodation is a huge plus. Much safer to be walking and cycling around the park.
Great outdoor play area for the little ones.
The pool was fantastic.
The on site shop was good. Plenty of options and well priced.
Andrew Berry — Google review
Amazing location, all the hype is well deserved. Great cabins, service and activities. Very friendly staff and lovely swimming pool. All you need for a relaxed trip. We went during the week when schools were on so might be a lot busier and hectic during school holidays but still worth it.
David McGregor — Google review
We had a great weekend here. I would however advise booking restaurant slots when booking, before you arrive as they were all fully booked and no delivery service was available so had to buy food from the on site supermarket, which was expensive. Lots of festive things to do. We had an 18month old and an 11 year old and both were entertained. Staff are all very helpful. The lodge was well situated to the main plaza but not too close. Lots of walking and things to see. Great experience. Bit pricy as only swimming area is included in the booking fee. Everything else is extra.
Moyra Black — Google review
It was a fantastic stay We could not fault the accommodation we stayed in one of the tree houses every thing you needed and was spotless so thank you to the cleaning staff. Thank you too the member of center Parcs staff who would come every morning and clean the hot tub and ask if we needed anything nothing was too much trouble (sorry I forgot your name) complementary champagne on arrival? plus gift boxes for the children the forest is amazing and so are the activities
Beverly Chamberlain — Google review
Went for a spa day. Fabulous experience so lovely and relaxing. Fantastic facilities and very friendly staff. You are made to feel very welcome. Spa package was great value
Moo K — Google review
First time at Whinfell and we weren't disappointed.
Such a beautiful setting, especially since cars aren't allowed on site after unpacking.
The swimming pool was busy but great fun for our toddler (and us). Clean and we got a changing room and lockers easily.
The Indian restaurant was fantastic, exceeding expectations with both the food and the service - well worth a visit. The burgers in the sports cafe were also great. Expect to pay more with it being on site.
As this was our first family holiday we had concerns about arrangements for our toddler but needn't have been as the travel cots provided were better than expected (wooden cots) with baby gates at top and bottoms of stairs and the lodge was also well designed for a young family.
Supermarket well equipped and not as pricy as we thought.
We are already looking forward to our next visit.
Stephanie Jones — Google review
Fantastic family week away. We were worried that the covid restrictions would impact on the holiday but they didn't. Booked again for next year as we enjoyed it so much. Love how safe it is for the kids and how the pool keeps everyone entertained from the 3 year old to the 73 year old in the group. Lodges are very clean and the setting is lovely.
Laura Jones — Google review
Been going here since I was a kid! I absolutely love it here. Such an amazing escape and so much to do! So many activities to choose from, villas are always immaculate and the pool is out of this world! All staff in the village are so kind and friendly. Can’t wait to come back!
Jane McGuire — Google review
The park was great, surrounded by woodland, brilliant swimming pool facilities, activities were very expensive and not much suitable for a baby, however there was plenty for older families. Would be nice to have more areas to explore which are not just surrounded by lodges, we expected some trails, but sadly that wasn't the case, makes you feel very trapped within the lodges and facilities.
The room we were allocated was completely unsuitable for a baby. The floors were all hard tile which was a nightmare as our baby kept falling and hitting his head. The touch-sensitive button on the bath kept activating by itself, waking our baby in the middle of the night on multiple occasions. Additionally, the coffee machine did not work and there was a horrible smell of gone off milk on the sofa of the apartment.
We were also informed during our visit by letter that we would have no power all night on the night before departure, which meant we could not charge our phones, use our baby monitor or use lights. This proved very difficult for us to feed or change our baby. We had requested a cot and high chair for our stay, both of which were missing, having to wait around for them to arrive.
There was a lot of noise from the other apartments and corridor which made it very difficult to sleep. There was no dustpan and brush or cleaning equipment of any kind in our room which made tidying up after our little one very difficult.
Very disappointed after raising our issues with Center Parcs to be told that if we wanted something more suitable for a baby, then we should have selected a specific room during booking (for an additional fee). Just another attempt to take more money from you.
James Paylor — Google review
Absolutely beautiful place. Every staff member I came across was just beyond helpful. Had a lovely week here and hope to visit again. Activities were suitable for everyone and we'll priced. Lodge was clean, tidy and well stocked. Any problems were sorted instantly.
Abigail-Jayne Manley — Google review
Great place for a family vacation. Be prepared to be very active this is a huge place with lots to offer.
Try book activities before you arrive as they do get booked up pretty fast. A bike each is a must, I rented from the reception at a good price and a nice bike.
The pool really is very good for the kids and adults alike, plenty of slides and activities.
Nice play parks and nature for the kids to explore:
Dining out was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be also the on-site supermarket not really overpriced.
Chalets were fantastic, with every home comfort you can think of, with the exception of a washing machine.
Everywhere is a bit of a walk or cycle.
Great place and great stay.
Conner Regan — Google review
We had a amazing time at whinfell.
From the minute we arrived we were greeted by a very polite security guard who showed us were to go.
All the staff we dealt with were amazing helpful fun polite. The staff made the break what it was. The kids loved it..
The accommodation was excellent.
We will be going back.
del col — Google review
Beautiful location and great for either a quiet getaway or an activity weekend. Excellent child facilities as well and very family focused. Good restaurants and Cafe Rouge in particular was surprisingly good with amazing staff. The only people who may not find what they're looking for here are solo travellers and romantic couples.
Stuart Somerville — Google review
Really enjoyed our short weekend getaway to Whinfell. Lodge was great, comfy, clean and well serviced, plus great views of Badgers! Bike hire great and super easy. Winter wonderland activities were an added bonus. Enjoyed the pool a lot although they seemed to be having some technical difficulties. We'll be back!
Paula B — Google review
Lovely break away with the family, we loved seeing the red squirrels and pheasants daily. We hired bikes for getting around which was great but it is a bit steep in places which was hard work on the bike. Lovely Christmas activities available to book with children and plenty of lights of an evening to see.
We enjoyed our stay and would come back but during a different season
Nikki Hannah — Google review
For the quality you pay for it is worth the expense. The facilities and variety of activities are excellent for the whole family . There is such a choice of things to do you will be occupied the whole time you are there.
Best to share the cost of lodges with a group of family members and the provision facilities at the lodges is excellent aswell.
We have been a few times over the years and never been disappointed 🙂👍
Phil Rigby — Google review
Whinfell forrest Centre Parks is an incredible place to visit.
The staff on the activities are friendly knowledgeable and very professional. From the moment we arrived we felt welcome. We had an issue with the lodge keys but it was very quickly resolved.
Yes the food and drinks are quite expensive but you don't have to dine out there is plenty of cooking availability with a microwave and oven. The fridge is small but you can get a lot in it. The cupboard space is very adequate.
The swimming pool is amazing and free there are nature walks and plenty of play parks for the children.
We stayed in a 3 bedroom lodge 1 double bed and 4 single beds 2 showers and toilets. Ample seating and the views of the forest with wildlife wandering around. All in all one of the best holidays I've had I can't wait to come next year.
Ian Storey — Google review
I've had a fair number of trips to this site over the years.
The facilities and location are great with the Lake District just down the road.
It has plenty to do, but a lot is at a premium price and is booked up quickly. Some elements, such as the water park are included in the booking cost.
Alistair Rose — Google review
Beautiful forest environment. Well equipped clean lodges. Great infrastructure and support. Swimming pools included and well equipped. Good playgrounds for kids. Dog play areas. Woodland walk’s beautiful. Everything else cheesy and expensive but as expected.
Jon Bee — Google review
We just got back from Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, and wow, it was awesome! First off, the rooms are super cozy and clean. We had a tiny issue with the heating at one point, but the staff were on it like lightning. They sent over a technician who was super friendly and fixed it up quick, no stress at all.
The place is a dream for anyone who loves being outdoors. We went on so many walks and bike rides through the forest, and it was just beautiful. It’s so peaceful, and there are loads of trails to explore.
Food-wise, we were really happy. We ate at Bella Italia, and it was delicious – great spot for a family meal. There’s plenty of choice around, so you’re not stuck eating the same thing every day.
But let me tell you about the Subtropical Paradise Pool – it’s epic! There are slides, loads of swimming spots, and it’s perfect for families. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got little ones or teenagers, there’s something for everyone. We spent so much time in there, just having a blast.
Overall, our trip to Center Parcs Whinfell Forest was top-notch. Great rooms, amazing places to walk and cycle, yummy food, and that pool was the cherry on top. We made a bunch of awesome memories and can’t wait to go back. Totally recommend it if you’re looking for a fun family getaway!
Dillon Pattison — Google review
My wife and I,our three grown up kids and partners and six grandchildren spent three nights in lodges and apartments.It was the best holiday I've ever had spending so much time with the family. The activities for the kids and adults were brilliant and all of the staff were excellent. We'll definitely be going back.
Peter McCrave — Google review
Immediately when pulling in there is a sense of calmness when you're in amongst all of the trees. Check in service is great from the car but line for check in can be long depending on when you arrive.
Center Parcs is fantastic for those with children of any age. Things to see and do with or without a booked activities.
Great overall experience with my wife being gluten intolerant, taken very seriously in all the restaurants and its refreshing that most places have a gluten free menu.
I would recommend booking more then 48 days in advance of your stay to make sure you can book all the activities as closer to the time there can be limited or no booking available for most young children's activities.
We have stayed in the Lakeside apartments twice, clean and tidy studio style apartments. Not luxury but clean and basic.
Car and parking can be a bit of s nightmare when check in is at 4pm on the first day, getting the car, unpacking and going back to the car park. Especially with a tidied toddler. On the flop side it is very nice not having cars on the road during the stay.
Overall it is a great stay and I recommend to all my friends with and without kids for a relaxing UK break. Surrounding area and being close to the Lakes is also a big bonus.
Oli Braithwaite — Google review
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Center Parcs Whinfell Forest Whinfell Forest, Penrith, CA10 2DW, United Kingdom
Melrose Abbey, a red-sandstone monastery, is one of the most fascinating Border abbeys in Scotland. Despite being destroyed multiple times by the English during the 14th century, its broken shell boasts pure Gothic architecture and renowned decorative stonework. The abbey was established in 1136 by David for Cistercian monks and later reconstructed by Robert the Bruce - whose heart is interred here. One notable feature to spot is a pig gargoyle playing bagpipes.
Absolutely love this place I could have spend all day there. Its a must go place. There's plenty to see and some good local areas to go and get food.
scott — Google review
This place has been way up there on my bucket list most of my adult life! My maiden name is Bruce so I am fascinated with any history connected to my family name. The Abbey is a hauntingly beautiful ruin full of atmosphere and romance. The village is charming and a wonderful place to visit.
Sheri Wiggins — Google review
Title: Disappointing Experience at Melrose Abbey
I recently visited Melrose Abbey, and unfortunately, my experience was a letdown. While the ruins of the abbey are indeed beautiful, I was disappointed to find that the entire site was closed due to reconstruction. Despite paying £3.80, I was unable to enter the abbey and could only view it from the outside - something I could have done for free.
I was really looking forward to exploring the abbey's interior and learning more about its history, but the closure meant that I was unable to do so. The exterior views were nice, but it wasn't worth the cost. I left feeling very disappointed and frustrated.
Rating: 2/5 stars
Price: £3.80 (not worth it)
Recommended for: Those who are willing to wait until the reconstruction is complete or who are content with only viewing the exterior.
Note: I hope the reconstruction works are completed soon, and the abbey is restored to its former glory. Maybe next time, I'll have a better experience.
Michael G (MG) — Google review
Loved our visit here. Even in heavy October rain, we thoroughly enjoyed walking around the graves, admiring the architecture, and listening to the interactive information points. Seeing the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart was our reason for the visit. The tale of the undead priest was a great bonus being so close to Halloween!
Clair Hughes — Google review
There are access restrictions in place for safety inspection that mean you can't walk around inside the Abbey. However you can walk around it's perimeter and in amongst the footings of the surrounding building layout. The cost of entry is reduced to half price to reflect the limitations on access and overall I think it's still worth a visit. As you might imagine the stonework is phenomenal and there's a fantastic history behind it. Even from the perimeter there are some great photo opportunities.
There is a separate building housing a museum mainly consisting of stone carvings and fragments so you get to see the skill of stonemasons up close. Toilets are also available within the grounds.
There's no cafe on site but the town centre is only a few minutes walk away as is car parking priced £1 for 4 hours. We visited this abbey in the morning, had lunch in a cafe then drove 7 miles to visit Dryburgh Abbey in the afternoon.
An enjoyable day!
M Gallichan — Google review
The following review is based on a pre-pandemic trip going old school and only using paper maps and brochures to find places to stop at on a 3-week adventure to Ireland, Scotland, and England. No cell phone or internet.
This is one of those stops that is best if you don't know what you are going to see. In our trip we just knew it was an old abby. After we parked, we had to walk around a hedge that hides the structure so when we finally saw the abby we were blown away at how it looked. Now you might say it is the ruins of a old church but there was something about how this abby looks and the state it is in.
We spent some time exploring the grounds and walking in and out of the abby. The best part of the structure is where the stain glass would have been. The framework is a work of art in its own right. This was one of our favorite stops in our entire UK tour.
Adam Cook — Google review
An excellent, very large abbey to visit. Unfortunately when we visited in November, like other abbeys in the area, it was fenced off for safety reasons due to restoration work.
However the grounds were still open so we were able to walk around the exterior to view it. There were information boards dotted around, and on the fencing there were QR codes to scan which linked to articles, photographs and videos online. An excellent feature.
The site was fully accessible so we were still able to browse round with a wheelchair (apart from some very muddy small slopes).
John Lancaster — Google review
Beautiful old abbey in a nice town, excellent spot for some photos or that insta post. Unfortunately the inside is blocked off due to the the chance of falling items. Nice for a break from day to day life as the grounds and a surroundings areas are very pretty however parking can be very scarce
Bobby Brannan — Google review
Visited in 2018 during the summer with my husband on our self driving tour of Scotland. There is so much history in Scotland and much of it surrounds the country's hero's Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. Yes, if you have seen the movie Braveheart or any of the number of movies made about Robert the Bruce you will be happily surprised that this abbey is said to have the heart (not the body, just the heart) of Robert the Bruce buried there. I will leave the story of how it got there for you to find out when you visit! Can't give away all of the good stuff. Other than that, it also happens to be another beautiful place to spend a sunny day exploring the grounds of ancient history!
Kellie Hopkins — Google review
Staying in Melrose for a few days for the bank holiday so this place is a must. Most of the Abbey is inaccessible because of restoration work and preservation work.. Still worth a look round and bear in mind if your English heritage members you don't have to pay as well...
Sean Wanless — Google review
Please come when the weather is nice! The medieval building is just iconic and with a sacred atmosphere. Though the garden is not very big, but it’s good enough for a proper walk inside and also the places nearby.
The architecture is also incredible, you can have a good time there and have beautiful pictures and memories. Make sure you imagine yourself living in the old time and pretend you are having the religious service and exercise as the monks in the past. Lots of fun.
WEN-HUI Helen CHUANG — Google review
The Abbey buildings are still closed but the grounds are all open, it is none the less it is an interesting place to visit in the bustling wee town of Melrose.
There is the site of the burial of Robert the Bruce's heart, an important historical monument, the grounds are very well kept and the staff are helpful and friendly.
The building is tremendous and it will be great when the public can get full access to the abbey and grounds.
The is a museum which is interesting and set in very picturesque grounds.
Parking can be a difficult depending on the arrival time as Melrose itself is a busy town.
Alan Holt — Google review
Beautiful Abbey, still not able to get close.
The museum is interesting, the grounds are great.
Charles Nancollis — Google review
Beautiful place, but due to safety reasons we couldn't go into it. Nice little museum on the site
Jackie Thorbun — Google review
If you have a bug for abbeys and monks and love standing in the places where history wrote itself, then you should visit the Melrose abbey. Fair warning that you can't actually enter the inner areas due to "fear of falling masonry". Most of the exciting part is cordoned off right now. The museum is good and the gift shop had a nice magnet that I picked up. There were ponies out back too!
Suyash Gupta — Google review
Great place to visit. The staff are helpful and very knowledgeable.
It's just a pity that the many is closed. You can still walk the grounds garden and a very interesting visitor centre.
Martin Holt — Google review
Great stop if you're passing. There is a museum onsite and you can take dogs along. Couldn't access the inside of the Abbey when we went because of building works in April 23
andrew shore — Google review
We had good weather the day we visited. The abbey is fenced off as they are doing work there. It is still worth a visit.
I wish there were guides there to answer the questions that the info boards don't have.
Kielder Observatory, constructed with local spruce and larch, is situated in Europe's largest gold-tier protected dark sky park within the Kielder Water and Forest Park. It offers stunning stargazing experiences, including the renowned "Kielder Moment," where visitors feel a profound connection to the cosmos. The observatory hosts regular events such as star camps and Space Kids Events, providing hands-on activities for families.
My husband and I went to the Jewels of the Universe event and it was amazing. The talk was informative, delivered by a chap who was obviously passionate about his subject, which made it all the better. Looking through the Sir Patrick Moore telescope was incredible, a real privilege to see a double star and even a galaxy. We enjoyed the evening immensely
Julie Cleary — Google review
We went to Space Kids - rockets and more recently and it was absolutely fantastic. My husband and I enjoyed it along with our son, who came out smiling and inspired. The whole event was fabulous and there was a good mix of talking and doing if that makes sense. The team were approachable, chatty and talented. The observatory and surroundings are beautiful too. Highly recommended!
Verity Yeates — Google review
From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by knowledgeable astronomers who guided us through an evening of discovery. Equipped with powerful telescopes, we delved into the depths of space, witnessing distant galaxies, shimmering nebulae, and elusive planets.
The Dark Cosmos Event offered more than just stargazing; it was a journey of enlightenment and inspiration. Engaging talks and interactive demonstrations provided fascinating insights into the mysteries of the cosmos, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the night sky.
Absolutely recommend 👍🏻
Stephanie Staff — Google review
We were on their ‘Late Night Explorer’ experience and it was amazing!! The staff were all super helpful and informative and the whole experience was brill. We were unlucky with the weather but still managed to get a picture of the moon with my iPhone via one of their telescopes. I highly recommend a visit, we will definitely be back 🌚✨
amy bagnall — Google review
Fantastic experience. Even though it was cloudy and we were unable to see much through the telescopes the staff were very passionate and knowledgeable. The various talks and show n tells were very interesting and learnt loads. If the clouds had cleared it would have only enhanced an already interesting evening. Be warned it's a late night 9pm to midnight. The road up is a bit of rough but easily passable if you go slower. You get to touch mars and the moon what's not cool about that!
Paul Cousins — Google review
A must visit for astro enthusiasts!
Tickets - Book well in advance, the best ones are sold out quickly (e.g. shows that are close to a meteor shower or late night from 12-3am)
Getting there - We drove down from Edinburgh and it takes about 2-3 hours each way. Stunning landscapes along the way and some beautiful forest roads leading up to the mountain where this observatory is located. The path becomes narrower as you go up but fairly comfortable.
The Observatory Experience - They have regular shows based on different themes followed by a tour of the place and some free time. The content is great, it’s also beginner friendly. The people who work here are warm and a pleasure to talk to. They have some nice meteorite samples, a wide range of telescopes, and merch you can buy at the end.
Weather - This is the variable with highest impact on your overall experience given that it’s usually cloudy or raining making live observations impossible. However, the experience is worth it no matter the weather conditions.
The journey is the reward, the hot chocolate is the cherry on top and if you have nice weather consider yourself blessed!
Rahul Ramchandani — Google review
Fantastic visit to the Observatory, when though it was cloudy during our visit it was a great night learning lots about the mysteries of the universe.
The staff were amazing and very knowledgeable, couldn't recommend a visit more highly.
Paul Currie — Google review
We went for a midnight watch and what a superb experience it turned out to be. The stars came into view when wanted them and we could scrutinise them so clearly with the professional 16inch telescope. Followed by a mug of hot chocolate. Both Perfect. We had three professional astronomer lecturers and we came away wiser and more knowledgeable.
A revelatory adventure perfect as a father/daughter gift to each other.
Jim Mitchell — Google review
A fantastic 3 hours, very educational and light hearted explanation of aurora events. Night sky simply amazing and viewing through telescopes was wonderful. The size of the universe is mind boggling. The knowledge of the staff was incredible.
Wrap up warm...be prepared for a stimulating experience... worth every penny
chris hands — Google review
We chose the late night experience, which started at 11pm with a welcome and a short presentation. We were then split into 3 groups of 10, and our group went out onto the deck first. This was lucky, as for the first hour, we had completely clear skies. Our guide had lots of information, and because of the nearly full moon, we looked at the craters of the Moon through the telescope. We also had a good look at the stripes on Jupiter and its moons. Our guide was happy to answer questions and name the constellations above, and he helped us to take photos using the telescope and our own phones. The next rotation for us was a welcome hot chocolate; it was -2°c and despite warm clothes, our feet were freezing. This was followed by a demonstration and a look through a more powerful telescope. Our last rotation was in the rotating turret, this time led by a lovely, enthusiastic astrophysicist. All the guides were very knowledgeable, but they kept the information they shared at an appropriate level for amateurs.
One extra highlight for us was being able to say that we'd stood on Mars (we stood on a piece of a meteorite that is thought to have come from Mars!)
This is a fantastic experience and the second time we have visited the observatory; the first time several years ago we had bad weather and we had a lecture instead of looking through the telescopes. It really is a lottery.
Patricia Goldring — Google review
Kielder Observatory is located in one of a limited number of dark zones in Europe. These are ares where light from buildings is limited at night to minimise light pollution. The observatory is located atop a hill in the extensive Kielder forest and is accessed via a gravel and pitted road that is wide enough for just one vehicle. The observatory is funded by charitable donations and is run by a small team of staff with varying backgrounds in astronomy, solely for the public. The daily program runs from 9pm to about 12pm. There are video presentations that are very professionally prepared and are both entertaining and packed with cosmological information. Each is about half an hour long, informal and interactive. There are two telescopes that can be directed to any object and are computer controlled. Everyone gets to view the celestial body most suited to being viewed at that time through the telescope with the guidance of a staff member. Cloudy skies would make live demonstrations problematical but with several hours and the whole of the night sky available to star gaze there will always be something to see. It is a brilliant experience for everyone from children to grown ups.
surinder cheema — Google review
Went to the Jewels of the universe event for my birthday, what an amazing experience. The team were all very knowledgeable and helped maximise our stargazing time based on the weather conditions. Got a great view of Jupiter, the Moon and Sirius then a guide through the constellations. We will definitely visit again.
Tom Saye — Google review
A fabulous evening at the Aurora event. We were a group of 8 (not 9 as planned) ladies who had started high school together in the late 60s. Our friend who so wanted to see the lights had died recently so it was an emotional experience for us.
All the experts there were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic but a special mention must be made to Liam who went above and beyond in searching out a 68 year old star for us!
He positioned the telescope so we could look at the star 17 Cygni - 68.2 years old. As I looked through the telescope a shooting star blazed overhead - how special was that??
The next morning we looked at our photos and oohhhhh.. one of our group had a photo of the aurora! The skies had been pretty clear and we had been taking random shots - but there it was! What a lovely way to end our trip.
Thank you so much to all you lovely boffins - and THANK YOU Liam.. 😘
.. also thank you to 17 Cygni for being such a special star - you're now known to us as Siobhan.. 🥰✨
Wendy Williams — Google review
Excellent!!!
Proper geek mode I was in
You can see the northern lights from there!
Great staff with fountains of knowledge and know how
Wonderful powerful telescopes
Unfortunately after a 3 hour tour and educating talk the skies were cloudy and I got to see completely nothing!!ggrrrrrr
But I did get to stand on a piece of Martian rock so I get to say I've stood on Mars which I literally did!!!!
Telescope views of the milkywsy available if clear weather presents itself but....
Hot drinks served for free with any ticket bought
Great products on sale.
Rare meteorites etc
Wonderful experience which I highly recommended you do if you get the chance
Situated in the heart of keldler forest the uks biggest man-made forest with views to are inspire tou
I'm returning next year to hopefully see ... something next time
Brilliant family day out it really is
Go try it and hopefully see for yourselves
Elliott Hawkes — Google review
We had a fabulous evening at the observatory, the sky cleared briefly on what had been a dull and overcast day, Josie and the team re-jigged their plans and gave us a fabulous view of the night sky whilst it was available, the guy who did the presentation on space rocks should be on the stage, how he could make his presentation so entertaining and informative was brilliant. the guy who gave us the presentation on the telescope was fantastic - he just loves what he does.
How you all can remember all those numbers is beyond me let alone comprehend millions of light years!!!!!
thanks to the volunteers for providing us all with a nice warm drink halfway through the evening it was very appreciated.
Great night out
Dave Brookes — Google review
A wonderful and informative experience, we attended the 'Secret lives of Stars' talk last night. The adverse weather didn't stop us, it was very well run, and the entire team were knowledgeable and exceptionally friendly.
I'd definitely recommend a visit. The drive up there can be a little challenging in the pitch black, so if you're not the most confident driver I'd recommend you make a night of it and book some of the nearby accommodation.
J H — Google review
Absolutely amazing. We attended an event here and learned so much! The team delivering the evening were amazing and very clearly love their jobs. We were a little late arriving due to traffic etc but they were more than accommodating even then. We would absolutely come back.
Rebecca Fuller — Google review
4.8
(1012)
•
4.5
(1021)
Black Fell, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ, United Kingdom
Vindolanda is an archaeological site and museum located in Northumberland, England that showcases the remains of a Roman fort and village. Situated on Hadrian's Wall, this location brings Roman Britain to life with reconstructed turrets and temples. The museum offers an intriguing glimpse into the daily life of a Roman garrison town by exhibiting leather sandals, writing tablets and helmets from the era. Visitors can also explore excavated parts of the fort and town for a truly immersive experience.
Could not recommend going here more! We were going to go for an hour then go for a walk, but we enjoyed it so much we spent a day wandering round, reading every bit of information and soaking in the incredible atmosphere. Even if history really isn't your thing it's so much fun to imagine the site as it was and it is such a stunning location its worth the visit.
Molly Mesher — Google review
Our second visit to Vindolanda did not disappoint. Came to see in better weather as last time a few years back was October and raining. The museum is fantastic. The tour guide Alex was brilliant, very clear, concise and a great sense of humour.
Hazel Currie — Google review
Excellent site. Informative tour guides. You can watch the team excavating the site.
Brilliant museum and cafe on site. Definitely worth a visit. Will probably go back again as there was so much to try and take in.
Chris Willocks — Google review
Amazing day out with the kids and very educational, displays laid out to help with ruins of the buildings. The museum is also definitely worth a visit.
Karl Watkins — Google review
An amazing site. A real jewel for England. Such a large and interesting place. The tour guides are so knowledgeable and interesting. The museum had so many artifacts and the hot soup in the Cafe was delicious. You can easily spend most of the day here. A must see. Make sure you do a guided tour.
Sue Jameson — Google review
Incredible History.
What an amazing place to visit. Being able to walk around these ancient ruins is a brilliant experience, but to then see what the archaeologists have dug up in the museum is just stunning; leather shoes, letters, weapons etc. This is so worth a visit.
Iwan Lewis — Google review
A wonderful archaeological dig site on a Roman military fortress and the village that grew up immediately outside its gates.
There is so much of interest to see here, including the reconstruction of both a wooden and a stone watch tower, a small temple and the superb museum, where so many of the finds are displayed.
Rich B — Google review
Managed to attend a guided tour and really enjoyed it. Well worth a visit , the museum was particularly of interest to me, and the canteen provided some welcome refreshments in a lovely garden .
Bill Crawford — Google review
We visited this attraction today, and it really was like stepping back in time. There is so much history here, and the site has done a wonderful job of preserving and displaying what they have found.
It was an absolutely beautiful day to go visit as the weather was gorgeous.
The only thing I would suggest is maybe making the parking a bit closer to the exhibit. It was a bit of a hike for this tired, nearly 60 year old. I'm just saying!!
Other than the parking, I highly recommend this place for everyone.
Debra Doser — Google review
Excellent! Well worth the visit Take your time wandering the ruins. Head down the hill to the cafe and outstanding museum. Very informative, loads of seating to rest/listen & nice facilities.
If you have a disabilty or difficulty walking for 1600 meters or cannot walk uphill for long periods of time (although there is some seating for rest along the way), ask the museum staff where you can pick up your passenger or park close to the museum entrance.
Great visit!! Pictures I have taken do not properly serve this wonderful site.
Lisa Cooper Colvin — Google review
Nice visit to a very historical site, a great place to wander around for all ages.
Very informative and interesting Museum full of Roman artifacts from the site.
Toilets and a cafe on site.
Admission fee 10% discount for English Heritage members.
Three car parks on site, they probably fill quickly in summer.
Quite a narrow and steep lane to access location, so be prepared.
Marcus Williams — Google review
I recommend one listens to podcasts, or reads up on the place before visiting. That will give you a better appreciation of the awesome archaeological work in progress that it is.
Easy to get to by bus.
Great volunteer guide presentation.
Grownups, allow 5 hours. It would be horrible to have to rush though all the things that there are to see and do.
Anthony King — Google review
We visited on a Sunday in mid-June.
It was easy to find and car parking was easy because it was quiet on our arrival at 11am.
We pre-booked tickets as we thought that we would visit this site and the Roman Museum.
We thought that it was a little bit expensive until we moved away from the archaeological site and experienced the indoor and outdoor museums. These really helped explain the dig site and made it a day to remember.
We had lunch at the cafe. Very nice people gave us very nice food 😊
Not sure that we felt short-changed by not visiting the Roman museum on the second-half of our ticket.
Rich Witte — Google review
Utterly astounding. The ruins of Vindolanda are incredible and this is only a small fraction of what was actually there. The museum has some incredible artifacts on display that give a genuine human connection to the people who lived at Vindolanda. If you have an interest in history this is a must see.
S O — Google review
Our second visit to Vindolanda, I find it fascinating on how advanced the Romans were. I would advise purchasing the guide book, there are several centuries of occupation on this site and this can make it difficult to interprate, when looking at the remains. There was a live archeology dig at the time of our visit, there are also two living archeology experiments on going in terms of an example of recreated mile castle and wall, both in timber and stone, the museum is breathtaking in terms of finds and their preservation. Well worth a visit.
Andrew “Andy” Maclean — Google review
An amazing place, so fascinating, the museum too is one of the best I’ve been too!!! Well laid out and put together
Millie Coffey — Google review
An amazing place to visit if you have any interest in Roman history and the Roman rule of Britain. Good facilities, the cafe was nice, the museum was excellent and the displays were well done. The site itself is a must see. Very quiet in February during the week.
Thomas Armstrong — Google review
This is a great place for something different and to learn some history. The ruins are presented wonderfully with signposts telling you what different areas were used as and even audio posts telling you history. The museum is more extensive than I expected. It was quiet when we visited and we had a great day out.
Eilidh Black — Google review
Always loved history at school, so this was a no brainer. What a historical site, plenty to see, ruins, artifacts & a tour guide if needed. Had a wonderful day of history. Would definitely recommend for all the family.
Andrew Haselup — Google review
Very interesting remains of a Roman settlement. So much more to see here than I imagined. The ruins have informative signage indicating what were the homes, baths, latrines, tavern, military buildings and granaries etc. There is a wonderful museum exhibiting the finds from the site and a lovely cafe. Well worth visiting.
Jan H — Google review
A beautiful experience ! The guide was very informative and explained the site so well, that you could imagine what it would have been like all those years ago.
Even without the guides and array of different tours you can hop in and out of, the site is well looked after and fun to look around. Definitely for kids and adults alike, it has something for everyone here. Because footfall was not heavy in October, it was very peaceful.
The mini museum is such a bonus, and the cafe at the back has the most awesome decor in the style of ancient Roman times.
Loved it !
Elise Freshwater-Blizzard — Google review
What an amazing site, and a great insight into the Roman empire in the north of England.
Thousands of artefacts on display in the museum are definitely worth seeing.
The actual fort and Roman village remains are awesome to see too.
Plenty of parking.
The cafe is also nice for light lunches too.
Toilets are also available.
The gift shop will have something for every budget.
The book shop is also a must for avid readers for all things Roman.
Definitely worth the money.
Saver tickets can be bought for the sister site at the Roman army museum just along the road.
Housesteads Roman Fort, also known as Vercovicium, is an English Heritage Site located in Northumberland. This tourist attraction comprises the ruins of an auxiliary fort built from stone in AD 124 during the Roman occupation of Britannia, shortly after Hadrian's Wall was completed. It was the first fortress established in the region and is now home to a visitor centre, museum and guides dressed in period costumes.
Great place to visit. Fantastic Roman Fort with a museum of all the artefacts found on site. Lots of information boards describing each area and what it was used for. The staff are all so friendly and knowledgeable. When we visited there was an art exhibition on site which was fabulous. Free for English Heritage and National Trust members although you still have to pay for parking, which cost us £4. There's a cafe on site with cakes, pastries and hot and cold drinks. The site is also dog friendly. It's worth putting on some good waterproof shoes with decent grips.
Neil Smith — Google review
Lovely little history lesson in the visitor center and info boards walking in the ruins.
You can walk along the wall for a while in both directions, something I'll be doing more of when the days get longer.
Robert Carmichael — Google review
Had a great time visiting this Roman Fort. Excellent day out. Great museum & coffee shop. I was a little disappointed that some people decided not to pay and just enter the Fort via the North Gate side of the Hadrian's wall pathway, climbing over the small fence to enter the Fort, avoiding staff that were there to check paid tickets. This needs addressing by Management! Otherwise, highly recommend a visit there. The staff were lovely too, very knowledgeable about the area.
Michelle — Google review
English Heritage at it's finest! Amazing panorama, from every spot, well-mantained site, friendly staff and a great souvenir shop. They also have a great tour with a knowledgeable guide!
Walking uphil takes a bit effort, but definitely worth it. The view of the valley on a sunny day, is just perfect, and makes the history alive.
Hermann Parkhomenko — Google review
40 years ago I visited Housesteads with my father. In turn I took my son. Some of the best ruins, we headed on to Sycamore gap and back. Wonderful day.
robert kime — Google review
The site was fabulous and the museum was informative and well laid out, if small. We came this time to see the artwork which was, well, just a bit mad, but great to get and impression of the height of the fort in its heyday. All staff welcoming and chatty but not pushy. Dog friendly!
Chloe Brownlee-Chapman — Google review
The largest Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall, well worth spending at least a couple of hours here.
We had a superb walk along the wall, from Steel Rig car park, in beautiful weather.
There are a number of explanatory boards around the side and a small but excellent museum close by.
Rich B — Google review
Fantastic scenery and wonderfully maintained site. Lots of information boards to explain the site.
Dog friendly
Steep walk
Cafe at car park
Pay carpark.
Small museum at pay office.
Nicholas Nunney — Google review
Had a great time. The weather wasn't good but still enjoyable. Can I take this opportunity to tell you about the books below, they Are available on Amazon and all profits will go to cancer research. And if this goes well hopefully diabetes research.
i c Henderson — Google review
Great and accessible place along Hadrian’s Wall to go (by car and public transport at certain times of year). The visitor centre is a little small so would advise going at a less busy time but when the weather is fine as it is a c.10 minute walk from the car park and bus stop.
There are a few mile castles, etc. nearby so great place to base yourself if you want to see several landmarks along a relatively short distance.
Sarah Norris — Google review
Wow! What a fantastic day. Great walk for families and dogs. Loved seeing the Roman ruins and walking on the wall. The visitor center had clean bathrooms and a small cafe. At the ruins there was a small gift shop and museum.
Cori Fairchild — Google review
So stunning to be here where our ancestors fought and lived forging a different future for generations to come. To walk from here down to Sycamore gap (Robin Hood) and down to the Sill just a beautiful walk even in the rain and mud!
linda marieskind — Google review
Beautiful scenery. Nice walk from the car park to the ancient Roman fort. The size and scale of the fort is impressive.
Michal Szulc — Google review
One of the places where imagination switches on. Plenty help for your mind with films and drawings so you can find yourself in a Roman soldiers shoes. Superb location to see some of the best parts of Hadrians Wall. Walk a few miles along the wall both ways to appreciate it's beauty
TiC — Google review
A bit of a hill down and then up to get to the ruins and the bit of Hadirians wall that is there next to ruins. If you want to just get some pictures and don't want to spend too long there then this is a good spot But there is the option to go in the museum and ruins if you want Otherwise just pay for the reasonable priced parking.
Hersha C — Google review
Beautiful scenery. Hard uphill walking, especially in the mud of winter. Suggest sticking to paths when it’s so muddy else you will slip! Toilets nearby and an excellent cafe - I highly recommend the millionaire’s shortcake.
Claire Peak — Google review
Fabulous Roman fort Remains. It's quite a climb from the car park to the site and admissions shop. There is a small museum and an interactive video to watch. Our young children enjoyed looking for the signs from Felix a Roman soldier who explained the site in a child friendly way.
Claire Davidson — Google review
Being disabled I was unable to make much of Being in this Fabulous place once more. Luckily my companion wasn't constrained and he enjoyed every second of his voyage into the past. I had the sheer joy of sitting at the south gate, on my mobility scooter, drinking in the ambience.
Bill Steel — Google review
There is a well signposted parking. Visitor centre (café, toilets) managed by the National Trust, a very friendly staff. Then you climb to the Roman fort managed by English Heritage. You should go to the small museum first to purchase tickets. There is a small museum and a short film presenting the fort. You can climb to the fort from there. You can also walk the Hadrian's Wall path from there. Beautiful place.
A F — Google review
Exploring these Roman ruins during winter was enjoyable due to the lack of other tourists. There is plenty of information displays throughout the ruins explaining each section of the fort. There were great views of Hadrin's wall and it was possible to walk along the sections connected to the fort although this was quite steep and appropriate footwear is recommended. There's a small museum beside the fort which is a decent if not short experience. There's an uphill walk from the car park and it's quite muddy in the winter, so take this into account if you are planning a visit.
Thomas Armstrong — Google review
Lovely area and enjoyed the walk along the wall from housesteads to Sycamore gap, we took the military walk as it was easier and a little away from the wall but didn't take away from the fact we were there. Sycamore gap lived up to what I was expecting, and emotional for me as my last girlfriend who passed away in 2020 from cancer, wanted to go and couldn't make it, but had her favourite me to you bear with me and her photo, would really recommend a visit.
Gary Powell — Google review
Fantastic place to visit. The only negative is the climb up to the site. It is a proper path takes about 15 minutes. However, it is a long climb. If you are infirm, or asthmatic, it could be an issue.
Once you reach the site, it is amazing. The views are exceptional. The place is a lot bigger than you expect. The staff were great, very knowledgeable and friendly. Dog friendly which is a bonus. The facilities are very clean and tidy.
The Wensleydale Creamery is a cheese factory where visitors can learn about the history of the cheese and see it being made. It is also home to the world famous Wensleydale Cheese.
Open 10am-3pm at £4.45 for adults, no need to book, plentiful free parking. Payment gains admittance to a cheese making demonstration and history museum, and an activities room and viewing window housed in a separate building. We enjoyed learning the history of cheese in general and of Wensleydale cheese in particular. Great value for money.
Matthew Hurst — Google review
We stumbled upon this place on our drive through the Dales, and glad we did. We sat for a slightly late lunch. The staff work very hard here as it's clearly a very popular spot for locals and visitors alike. We were seated withing a few short minutes of arriving. The service was friendly and prompt. The views from the back of the dining area are quite spectacular. The food was exactly what it said on the menu. Great choices on the menu, and quite reasonably priced.
The chilled room on the side offering not only cheese tasters, but also a vast selection of the cheeses available from the creamery. Along with preserves, crackers and more.
The shop offers a wide range of items. From bottles of local liquors, Ice-creams, and all sorts of farm based & Wensleydale products...... We had a great experience here. We would love to return and do the tour. Will definitely recommend to adult and child alike.
The Zombie Hunter Hayes — Google review
Great place to visit when it’s raining. We did the experience tour, where we learn about cheese making. It was really interesting. Then visited a small museum where you learn facts about cheese. It’s really great for kids also the way they have done it. Followed by cheese tasting ( the best part).
You can then go back to the shop which is quite big. And a dedicated area for cheese to taste and buy. They a cafe and toilets.
They have free car park on-site.
I will recommend as a day out. Only disappointment was when going to pay my shopping the cashier was not so friendly it felt rushed like she wanted to get rid of us, not nice customer service when you spend money local.
Elodie SALOM — Google review
About an hour's worth without the cheese making demo. compact visitor experience overall, children area nicely done including Wallace and Gromit set up.
No tasting samples the day we were there.
The Shop and cafe were well stocked.
bertie malco — Google review
Really amazing place. Full creamery tours, gift shop stacked with local businesses & the cheese shop has every cheese available to taste. Very worth the visit. The restaurant & cafe have a good choice of food & drinks. Really worth the visit!
Bee — Google review
Brilliant demonstration very informative and visual which helps a lot for some people. Really enjoyed the cheese tasting and found a new favourite cheese 🧀 Wensleydale with pineapple 🍍 😋 be warned you may spend too much in the cheese shop 😍 we did !
Elaine Gill — Google review
Free parking on site! Great shop, clean toilets lovely cafe and separate restaurant. Outdoor seating for the cafe. Toilets were clean and the staff were amazing. Is it a little cramped in the gift shop if you have a wheelchair or pushchair.
The museum and factory tour are very good value - lots of stuff to interact with and it is all very well maintained - great for little fingers as well as adult ones!
The cheese demo was brilliant too - the only downside to the visit was that we went on a Saturday so the factory was closed. We could still see the machines and stuff but we didn't get to see them in action. Still enjoyed it though.
The ice cream is gorgeous - make sure you properly treat yourself and get two scoops! I can highly recommend the black cherry with chocolate.
Pamela ?Pambo? Ann — Google review
Absolutely love this place! My whole family has been coming here for years and I will continue to do so with my own. Fantastic alone to visit the Cheese Shop, but extra special to go visit the rest of the creamery and see what else they have to offer, fantastic for kids! Love, love, love the cheese!!!
Megan Procter — Google review
Interesting place to visit. Tells the history of cheese making in this area with exhibits and live demonstration. The gentleman who did the demo when we visited was knowledgeable and engaging and I found it very enjoyable to watch. There is a cafe and gift shop as well as a cheese shop. Taste testing is allowed.
We were lucky enough to see some Morris dancers on the day we visited too.
Claire Louise — Google review
I love cheese and this was definitely the place to be!! My husband and I went over the bank holiday weekend and it was busy but manageable :)
There are two sections in which you can get free cheese tastings - one in the store and the other in the museum section (which you have to pay for but it includes a live demonstration on how Wendsleydale cheese is made). There is, of course, Wallace and Grommit merch and a whole mini section dedicated to them in the museum. It is also very family friendly.
For lunch we went to the coffee shop and the only critique I have is that the cafe itself is a decent size but for the crowds there, there was a giant queue for over an hour and so I'm surprised they didn't open the restaurant (currently undergoing some renovations so it is closed) for overflow seating. However lunch had a good selection to cater to everyone and the blue cheese scones were almost the size of my face! I got one to go for £3 and I wish they sold them in the store!
It was such a great time. Definitely a fun visit.
Amanda Williams McNair — Google review
Fascinating place to visit, well worth paying the extra to learn the history of the factory, it’s incredible staff and sit in and learn about how the cheese is made with a demonstration to boot. The viewing windows allow you to watch the process on the factory floor and the tasting area, well just make sure you eat before attending!
The shop is fabulous and full of all sorts of gifts, drinks and the two cafes on site as well as the ice cream counter mean that everything is catered for. There are good, clean and accessible toilets and plenty of parking. Also lovely benches outside should you need a picnic place. Child friendly and a wonderful place to visit.
Annie B — Google review
My wife and I went on a coach trip last year. Lovely scenery on the way. We had an interesting tour around the creamery. Fun and informative. We made a dash for the restaurant and pleased we did as they only catered for a certain amount of covers. The food was amazing and service first class. There is a cafe if you miss out.
Graham Hawkes — Google review
My favourite place in the UK. The most delicious menu I've ever experienced, with the most wonderful take-home items and the friendliest staff. I visit once a year and always leave smiling, no matter the weather. ❤️
Chris Davies — Google review
I love cheese so Ideal place to visit
Tim the guide was informative and entertaining
Husband and dog had to wait outside but then went for lunch. Very nice if a little windy outside
Jan Tetley — Google review
Fantastic place! We're both cheese lovers so this was basically a pilgrimage!! Spent more time than was necessary in the tasting room but also paid for the demonstration and tour! Lovely gift shop and cafe too. Highly recommended.
Owain J Millard — Google review
Came here on a day excursion and spent an interesting two hours here. The visitor centre is only a short distance from the market square and has a large free car park. It's well signposted and all the buildings are wheelchair accessible. The staff were welcoming and friendly. Our visit to the Wensleydale Cheese Experience was pre-booked with a time slot. The man who did the cheesemaking demonstration was very knowledgeable, going through all the different stages of how cheese is hand crafted in the modern creamery. We then walked across to a little museum where we learned all about this place's fascinating history through artefacts and easy to read info boards, tasted a variety of Wensleydale cheeses and got to see inside the creamery itself from a viewing gallery. Lots of fun activities for kids and the opportunity to be photographed with Wallace and Gromit! The shop is a delight to browse around, full of beautiful homewares, pictures, stationery, books and much more. The cheese shop is also well worth visiting, not only for the cheese but also crackers, chutneys and a host of other foodie treats. Bought some cheese and a delicious Yorkshire fruit cake to take home. There's a restaurant and café which I didn't get time to visit, but I did treat myself to an ice-cream from the shop and ate it on a café terrace with a lovely view of the dales. All in all this was an enjoyable visit!
Valerie Hinchliffe — Google review
Lovely gift shop with a wide range of gifts and goodies. The cheese shop has free tasting, plus all things cheese-related. There is a viewing room where you can watch it being made. Now I am not actually a cheese lover 😲, but had a lovely mooch round and would definitely recommend a visit.
Linda Edwards — Google review
4.5
(1297)
•
4.5
(1989)
Gayle Ln, Wensleydale, Hawes DL8 3RN, United Kingdom
High Force Waterfall is a magnificent tourist attraction nestled in a secluded forest. The waterfall cascades dramatically for 69 feet into a plunge pool, and visitors can take several paths through the beautiful natural scenery. There is a parking fee as well as a small charge for accessing the falls, but the longer walk to the top offers stunning views for free. Surrounding landscapes are breathtaking from every angle; however, it can get busy around the falls, so don't expect perfect solitude.
A return visit today to this wonderful place. This time the kids had a Easter egg trail to follow, which was great fun. Definitely needed some breaks from walking back up the steep hill. The views are amazing.
Hayley Nunn — Google review
Lovely place to spend a couple of hours. Parking £3 and tickets £2.50 from kiosk at the hotel. Walk down to the falls is easy, rocks at the bottom not so easy to navigate- need to be sure footed, but lots of rocks to sit on and soak in the view. We walked back via the forest walk, which is very steep to start with, with many steps, then it gets easier and meanders through different types of woodland scattered with some lovely wooden sculptures.
Debbie Coates — Google review
This is a must see for everyone. England’s largest ( not single drop ) waterfall. It really is a sight of some splendour and is dramatic to see.
Tickets available from the High Force Pub and hotel opposite. Massive car park at a cheap £3 for 3 hours. Please do buy the tickets as the attraction is on private land and the money appears to be clearly spent well on maintaining the footpath, benches and viewing point.
An addition to the stunning view of the waterfall was somewhat meeting with Helen Skelton and Dan Walker filming their Channel 5 Pennine way walk. Have to say the were both warm and friendly and very polite with Dan assisting my wife over a couple of wet slippery stones and a muted “hiya” drowned by the crescendo of the waterfall and a beaming smile from Helen. What lovely genuine people they were and an interesting addition to our visit.
Gerry McAuley — Google review
Absolutely stunning views, took us 2 hours to walk all the way thru. Seen waterfall from both sides. We’ve paid £3 for 3 hours car park, toilets are there and some snacks and drinks as well. £1.50 ticket entrance per kid (under 5 free) £3 per adult.
Natalie H — Google review
A spectacular waterfall on the River Tees, the largest in the country, by volume of water going over the top.
Access is easy, large car park just off the main road with the trail entrance just opposite. (at time of writing, car park is £3, payment by card, and trail entrance £3).
The track is firm and wide and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It's not far to the falls, an easy walk for all abilities. The falls themselves are stunning so take your cameras. It's a popular location so you may have to wait for that special shot!
To get back you can simply retrace your steps or take the Woodland Walk route back. Turn left up the steps on the left at the bottom and follow the path through some pretty woodlands until you get back to the start. It only adds a little distance but it is steep and muddy in places with steep steps at the start. I will suggest this as a trail edit as it makes for a more rounded walk.
Back at the car park there are free toilets, a snack shop and a pub so all bases are covered.
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Ian Seville — Google review
The High Force waterfall is definitely worth a visit. There is the waterfall itself but also natural beauty all around this area. The High Force Hotel at the entrance to the waterfall is brilliant. Great atmosphere, nice rooms and superb food with plenty of parking. There is a good chance that we will make a return visit.
Bob Sherry — Google review
£3 for parking and £2.50 each to see the waterfall. I think it was worth it. We took a picnic and had it at the little picnic area near the car park. There is also a footpath leading out to the beautiful fields. Had a coffee at the little shop and everyone enjoyed the time spent together.
Matt English — Google review
High Force is very impressive, well worth a visit.
Lovely woodland walk to get to the waterfall, you can keep going on the circular route or go back from the falls. To the waterfall and back on the same path is fairly easy, the circular route is harder. There are a lot of steps from the falls up into the woods and there are some steep parts over tree roots.
If you have mobility issues it would be best to go back from the waterfall along the same path you get down to it.
You have to buy a ticket to go to the falls - July 2023 it’s £3 each. You also have to pay to park, it costs £3 for 2 hours.
Tracey Roberts — Google review
A beautiful location especially after a period of rain. A nice circular walk from the car park to the waterfall and back through the woodland trail. Some steps, steep in parts but a pleasant stroll. Car park has plenty of space and staff are all very friendly and helpful.
Dominic Perry — Google review
A visit to High Force at the end of a day of incessant rain was rewarded by the falls flowing in spectacular style, and the noise was thunderous to boot! Highly recommended :-)
We didn't begrudge the ticket price which the website says is for the maintenance of the path to the falls and it was in excellent condition. TIP: Outside opening hours there is an honesty box just inside the gate ;-)
John Fox — Google review
Called on way back home. Purchased tickets in pub and enjoyed the circular walk round. Also headed down to lower falls. Paths and signage well maintained but not accessible for wheelchairs/pushchairs. Parking easy to sort lots of QR'S dotted around but machine also available.
Julie haywood — Google review
Lovely friendly ticket checker.
Tickets need purchased from hotel also fee for car parking at machine but well worth it lovely wooded walk there and back up the 113 steps !!
The fall is so loud and extreme into the pool lovely visiting birds as you watching nature at its best.
Veronica Laing — Google review
Fantastic place to walk. A charge for parking and another small charge for the short walk to the falls; although the longer walk is free (and a better viewpoint from the top). I didn't mind paying to help the upkeep of the area. Beautiful scenery in every direction though always pretty busy around the falls so don't expect to bask in the solitude!
Richard Stacey — Google review
I am not sure if there is any point in posting further photos of the waterfall as there are plenty already plus it's difficult to get a different perspective.
It's certainly impressive but in truth not quite as high as I was expecting.
Given that we have not had a lot of rain recently I would really like to see it at "full flow".
It only takes around 10 minutes to reach it from the car park and there are some other nice walks that you could do too.
Only £2.50 to get in but £3 to park.
The Curryholic — Google review
Parking is £3 for 3 hours, tickets are now £3 per adult, £1.50 child if you want to take the direct gentle route down to the waterfall. You can go the long way round for free and watch from the top, but my partner couldn't manage it on this occasion so the slight incline, paid, 10 min picturesque walk down it was.
Kevin Shek — Google review
[TRIP 11.07.2023] We were there after the heavy rain. Easy walk path for my bad ankle. The waterfall was stunning and strong.
Parking was £3 for 3 hours, waterfall tickets were £3 per adult during this period. Lovely pies from the hotel were very nice too 🤤 We were there on Tuesday, so it was not too busy.
Alexa Yui Sunisa — Google review
No meditation App required here, enjoy the walk to the waterfall which in itself is enchanting, then gaze upon nature in all its glory and maybe consider that this planet is indeed worth looking after for all who will follow us.
Our waterfall tickets cost £3.00 each, a small price to pay for the sense of wellbeing.
ModernBeaker — Google review
The walks to and around the waterfall are pretty awesome. Walking to the waterfall is easy enough, the lower path is definitely easier for most people. However if you fancy a slightly different, longer walk that takes you above the waterfall then I suggest the path just 100 yards to the left of the main route. You go down some pretty steep steps, but definitely worth the walk to the top of the falls.
Steven Wyllie — Google review
Stopped as passing through. £3 to park and £3 to view. Lovely wooded circular, dogs on lead. Little viewing area down some steep steps, nice 40mins unexpected waterfall!
ilona rigo — Google review
This can be an excellent day out for the family and your pet dog if you have one. Ample parking for which you have to about £3. If you need a receipt, the ticket machine will send it to your email address. This is not a Pay & Display car park; you just enter your vehicle’s registration number and pay the appropriate fee, that’s it. There are toilets next to the car park and the ticket kiosk within a refreshments outlet . There is a good hotel here with a restaurant if you feel the need. Cross over the road from the car park and you shall see a friendly face who shall have a quick look at your ticket. Then you have two walking routes to the actual waterfall. One I think is for energetic people going up and down the mini-forest. The other is relatively straightforward. The actual waterfall is a beautiful sight. It roars and creates slight mist if you are close to it. The water is somewhat brown and seems muddy but it’s mostly just colour not mud. I enjoyed my trip and took several photos and video clips with my phone and my drone. I recommend this site. Thanks for reading my review.
Azfar Bukhari — Google review
We had a great time at high and low force waterfall.
The walk itself is well maintained and not overly strenuous however if you trek to high force and cross over to head to the bottom of the falls there is a steep set of steps that takes you up to high force hotel. You will then have to pay a fee to access the bottom of the falls (we didn’t do this so I don’t know the cost).
Please note the route isn’t suitable for pushchairs, we came across a family with one who had to carry it over sets of rocks and I’m sure they would have carried it a fair amount.
The surrounding area is lovely and well worth the visit.
The hotel is nice too we stopped for a couple of drinks.
We parked at Bowlees visitors centre which was a donation car park and got crowded later in the day. So arrive early.
Jordan Stephenson — Google review
A good place to come and visit. More so after a few days of rain so it is in full flow. You have to pay for both parking and access to the falls but neither are overly expensive. The falls are not a long walk from the carpark so easily accessible. The route back through the woods is a pleasant walk. It will take no more than an hour to complete.
John Greener — Google review
Amazing, been here a few times but never with this amount of flow. Hit both sides, well worth the hike round via the Penine way to the other side. Easy parking with a pub and toilets . 15 min walk to the north bank, allow an hour 20 for the south
David Keiller — Google review
It is a while since I was last here and the trail up along the Pennine Way has been greatly improved. I have trouble walking at times but managed this 4.5 mile walk (there and back) with the help of walking poles. The views of the waterfall are stunning but if you are not up to the whole walk, Low Force is stunning enough to satisfy.
Eleanor Connah — Google review
Beautiful 😍! High force from the name you can guess, how strong it is. But on a rainy day it becomes full force.
Nice day out spot. Car park is very near with modern ticketing machine.
Tickets are available from the pub next to car park of waterfall.
Wheelchair accessible route to waterfall.
Worth visiting.
Tabish Khan — Google review
High Force waterfall is an easy 3k walk from Bowlees visitor centre where you can leave your car and walk along the Pennine Way up to High Force.
Otherwise you can drive to the High Force Hotel, which is closer but you have to pay to park and enter.
There is an overlook just before you get to the falls themselves where you get an excellent high level view, but it is slightly hidden from the main path.
Some of the juniper bushes in the area are suffering from phytopthera illness, control measures are in place - footbaths at the entry and exit to the problem area.
Victoria Pearson — Google review
4.6
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4.0
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Alston Rd, Forest-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle DL12 0XH, United Kingdom
Aysgarth Falls is a spectacular triple flight of waterfalls on the River Ure in Yorkshire Dales, England. The falls can be seen during wet weather and is a favourite tourist attraction for Yorkshire folk.
Absolutely lovely view and really nice simple walk. Kid and dog friendly. There's also a cafe that has amazing ice cream. There's a public toilet which was very clean. We went on summer time which meant the water was calm and low so easy to have a bit of cooling in the water. There is no bin unless by the cafe so clean after yourself!
Lily Martin — Google review
Split into the upper, middle and lower falls, this natural feature is worth a visit. It's free to see, although there is an honesty box at the upper falls as they're on private land to which you are allowed access (adults £1, children 50p). There is some walking involved to get to see each of them and steps in parts to access the better views. Not easily accessible for people with mobility issues.
John Barber — Google review
Parking £3.50 for 2 hours. Car park is right next to the center. Lovely man showed us the map and the walking routes as well as waterfall locations.
Overall the views are lovely and walks seem at good levels and distances.
The only concern is in wet weather (that we experienced) you need good shoes and sure feet. Not possible for wheelchairs or crutches or even little children.
Jonathon Springer — Google review
Fantastic short walk up and down the river from the car park. The falls are more impressive than I expected, the whole area is well maintained. The parking near the visitor center was minimum 2 hours.
0MissJackal0 — Google review
Stunning, lovely to see plenty of water flowing. Lots of parking at the national park centre I think it is £2.70 for 2 hours and if you are disabled you get 3 hours for that price, there are electric charging points as well, easy path to both Upper and Lower falls, clean free toilets but a donation would be nice if you have a coin spare. Also the farmer would like a donation to enter his land at the upper falls
J Simpson — Google review
So 3 separate areas to discover. We'll start with the mid falls as they are visible only from a viewpoint platform, and it is the spot to snap a pic or two, though you can also get a pic from above before you go down to the platform. The Lower Falls are accessed on the same walk that takes you past the mid falls, and the walk is very pleasant as you meander through a wood before dropping down to the river and falls. There is a large area to wander and rest at here should you wish, though no specific seating or benches. The Upper Falls are located in a separate area and opposite direction from the main car park. Once again the walk is pleasant, though there is a decent drop along it, but nothing too bad. These falls have a picnic area with benches on the grass. You can walk along the river a short way before the area ends but it is a large area with plenty of space to accommodate crowds. Both the upper and lower are very pretty, and the lower has some fine rock formations. The whole area is really nice to visit and as you start at the National Park Visitor Centre you can get a free map and information here, as well as a drink and snack from the cafe. All in all this is well worth a visit and can be seen at your own pace and leisure. When we were there as we came back mid-afternoon the car park had filled up to full capacity so I would recommend visiting early.
Richard Arnold — Google review
Lovely part of the world to stop and explore. We walked from the falls up to Castle Bolton. It's about a 10km loop, with the castle ideally located about 5km in. Perfect pit stop at the cafe before looping back to the falls.
Nick Bennett — Google review
We went here on a Sunday and there were still a few spaces left in the cat park at 11.30am when we arrived. The car park itself was in a great location and the facilities were great. The falls themselves are only a short walk away and it is very well signposted to each of the sections of the waterfalls. The viewing points are very good for taking photos. Although we didn't stop for anything to eat, the food smelt delicious at the place near the road bridge that crosses over at the upper falls. We paid £3.50 for 2 hours parking which was just enough time to visit the falls and have a picnic. It is well worth a visit here. Highly recommended.
karl Tuplin — Google review
Decent chargable national park car park with toilets. Both upper and lower falls paths accessible from here by foot. Not really suitable for wheelchair users or people unsteady although part of the falls area and views maybe with a little care. There is alternative chargeable parking at the falls and if you park a few hundred metres away you may be able to park for free. There is somewhere to eat nearby. The whole area is beautiful so you can't really go wrong.
dave hartley — Google review
Situated in Aysgarth Yorkshire and a stone's throw from the Aysgarth Falls Hotel, the three waterfalls are well worth a look. There's a lovely trail that is parallel to the waterfalls. It's a great place for taking photos and it's also possible to walk along the trail to Castle Bolton although it is quite a long trek.
Marisa Raffle — Google review
There are three falls - upper, middle and lower. All of these are accessible through the national park center. The upper fall is about 350 yards from the car park. The kids had fun playing around in the rocks across the river as There was less water than usual due to the ongoing drought spell. The lower and middle falls are in the opposite direction to the upper fall but are easy walks. We spent about two hours in total and enjoyed each of the falls. Although. I assume that in typical weather with lots of rain these would be astonishingly beautiful
Kinjal Dave — Google review
Nice walk to see a series of lovely waterfalls. Upper falls are a good place for a picnic or a dip in the water! Visitor centre is a nice place for a snack and a shop. Car park can get a bit busy. Good for dogs.
Jon Kraushaar — Google review
Amazing waterfalls in the middle of nowhere. We stayed for 2 hours enjoying the nature. There is a cafe right next to car park. Signposts are available clearly. Public toilets available. Parking ticket for 2 hours is £3.50 (free for 10min). We went on a weekday but felt it's busy so weekends could get crowded.
Gayathri Niharika — Google review
Lovely place for a wander. The falls are beautiful.
Tea room was closed but we did go on a Monday morning.
Just a lovely place for a walk espe3as the weather was great
Rob Noble — Google review
Fabulous walk to see all 3 of the Upper, Middle and Lower falls. Doesn't take long at all. Could easily just do the Upper as it's a stones throw from the car park. Also a fab tea room right beside it too.
Emma Hunter — Google review
Picturesque set of low waterfalls along the river. Visitor's centre with pay and display parking, cafe, and public toilets. Several short walks up and down the falls from the carpark. It was peaceful when we visited mid week although the visitors centre and cafe were both closed. There are picnic benches and plenty of grass to sit on for a packed lunch.
Ben Rush — Google review
Super place with lots of parking and walk options. The falls are split into upper, middle and lower and all are easy to walk to.
We did a wood walk afterwards which was really muddy and wet but a lot of fun. The visitor centre was closed for New Year but the walks are still well signposted.
Dawn Abbey — Google review
We arrived on a warm sunny winters day, we parked on site at the visitors center. It was only a short stroll to all the falls walking through some woodlands.
Would we visit again 🤔
Definitely but maybe in the summer with a picnic
chris ball — Google review
The falls speak for themselves, stunning and always different with each visit. The visitor centre and cafe are staffed by the most friendly and pleasant staff, and the bacon buttie is one of the best. Can't rate it highly enough 👍
Rob Smedley — Google review
Lovely little walk, there are shorter walks (1 mile)najslonger walks (2 1/2 mile), the falls were beautiful , especially after all the rain we've had. There is a visitor center with shop and cafe too but didn't eat there.
Nicole Snailham — Google review
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4.5
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Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, Church Bank, Aysgarth, Leyburn DL8 3TH, United Kingdom
The Bowes Museum is an eclectic collection of antiques, curios, art and relics housed on three floors in a grand building. The centerpiece of the collection is a finely crafted life sized automaton that performs daily.
Excellent museum and grounds. Hugely interesting story of the couple who built and collected items to fill it. Very high quality exhibits, across a broad spectrum from furniture, silverware, ceramics and paintings to religious artifacts. The staff seem genuinely excited to work here and were very knowledgeable. Once purchased the ticket lasts for 12 months and the on site restaurant was also 5 star.
Andy Stewart — Google review
Good day out with range of ways to pay, we went for annual local ticket which proved cheaper than the standard day ticket. Loads of parking but best not to use the main car park area as the lead up road has massive pot holes just park on the peripheral road. Loads to keep you occupied, and even got to see the Silver Swan being tested. Nice café with plenty choice, good shop and clean toilets. Highly recommended.
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Malc Clements — Google review
This place is amazing. Such a diverse range of items on show from vintage toys, fashion, gorgeous furniture, modern art, curiosities and of course the famous Swan. The swan is absolutely stunning, however you can't see it work at the moment as it needs renovation work. Their is a video to show you it working and the history of it. Good access for disabled visitors like myself. Lift to each floor and accessible toilet.
Jane Harrison — Google review
A great museum. The collections are amazing, paintings, furniture a whole load of stuff, to numerous to mention. Staff are very helpful and friendly. Cafe is excellent and offers good food options.
Garry Howell — Google review
What a beautiful museum, always something of interest to see, especially like the focus on costume / fashion. You need a whole day as there is so much to see. Portrait galleries are stunning. Cafe is excellent, easy to park. It is quite dear to get in...I think you may be able to visit all year for less than we paid for the day but I wasn't told that when I paid and would have gone for that option as it was cheaper! Also gift aid option is more expensive which I don't understand as they claim it back.
Charlotte Gordon — Google review
Completely unexpected to find this gem in the middle of the country side
Absolutely beautiful building and stunning collection of art, furniture, clothing and very querky inventions from over a few centuries ago
The day that we visited was snowing and already decorated for Christmas which made it really special.
Would recommend a quick stop at their cafe. Coffee and food were great!
Unfortunately, the silver swan is undergoing reparations at the moment.
We bought the 1 year membership ( which ironically is cheaper that the day pass) so planning to visit again!
Alba Fern — Google review
Lovely afternoon here! Very informative and a huge variety of pieces!
The Swan is beautiful! Like nothing I've ever seen before! The short video on the Swan is definitely worth a watch.
It's a shame The Bowes never got to open the museum, but such a lovely reminder of them throughout!
Polite and helpful staff!
Lovely well kept grounds.
Free parking.
Tickets are valid for a year! Bonus!
Didn't make it to the cafe but will most likely return as we enjoyed the museum so much!
Couldn't help but wish I was allowed to explore the private areas of this beautiful building!😍
Lowenna Gibbons — Google review
An absolutely amazing building, steeped in fascinating history and containing thousands of interesting works of art, design and craft. To get the most out of this museum you should allow yourself time to wander, you could easily spend a whole day here looking through the exhibits. The Raymond Briggs showcase was on when we visited and it was absolutely astounding. Would definitely recommend.
Luke Sharples — Google review
We Did Not Know What To Expect From This Museum As Its Our First Visit, But It Has More Than Exceeded Our Expectations, Very Welcoming When You Step Foot Inside And It's A Real Eye Opener To What's Inside. This Was An Amazing Experience And Reasonably Priced For What You See. The Museum Also Has An On Site Cafe And Gift Shop... A++
Paul Brown — Google review
Great place to stop for a wander in the woods and admire the French style gardens. We didn't visit the museum itself but enjoyed a browse in the well stocked gift shop and had an early lunch in the cafe. Great gluten free options. Enjoyed a gluten free roast beef sandwich with crisps and side salad. Plenty parking on drive in front of the big house and in the car park behind. Very popular with dog walkers.
Dorothy Warren — Google review
Fabulous museum with so much to see you’ll probably need a second visit. The Silver Swan exhibit was particularly wonderful.
It’s a stunning building to with a lovely cafe and friendly staff throughout.
Loads of car parking spaces and well looked after toilet facilities.
Adam Cresser — Google review
Excellent day out. Loads of exhibits to see and arranged well around a beautiful house and gardens. Coffee shop and restaurant on site. There is also a lift for disabled access as the museum/house is set over 2 floors. Recommended.
jedinite128 — Google review
Interesting collection of pottery and I did enjoy the murmurings bird exhibition. However, I checked the website the morning we were travelling specifically to visit the silver Swan (76 miles), which had been repaired before Christmas. Paid £18 each and then told the Swan was again being repaired! Not worth £18 entry especially when it's star feature is again kaput!
Cheryl Petcher — Google review
We visited Bowes on the Heritage Day & it certainly attracted hundreds of people as well.
I had read up about the museum prior to our visit but even so just blown away by the sheer size of it.
We arrived early Saturday afternoon & parked at the front of the museum & went for lunch. The restaurant was very busy but they say its that busy every weekend!
After lunch we took the lift (yes there's a lift) to the 3rd floor & the Art gallery. Just blown away by the beautiful landscape pictures on display. Other galleries to look out for are the Ceramic & Furnishings. We also saw the famous automata Swan & a Clothes gallery.
Lovely way to spend the afternoon.
Staff were very helpful.
Bryan Gilbert — Google review
Visited December. Loads of old stuff (tat) to look at. There is a big painting of a cow a mechanical arm playing notes on an organ and someone in a shark suit on a skateboard riding into a river; made the hour drive worth it!
The staff were great, some were as stuffy as the antiquities.
The metal swan wasn’t out, getting fixed or something, didn’t miss it bit of old junk probably worth more as scrap.
Bought a local season ticket as it was cheaper than a day ticket still £27. Don’t think I will be using it again.
Had a look in the cafe did fancy a sandwich for £8.
Woke Christmas / merry winter😂
Jason T — Google review
Excellent place to visit, we visited this place last year and didn't see everything, so we returned this year to complete our tour. There are so many interesting collections to see, and it is very informative. Also if you stay for lunch the food is very good at a reasonable price 👌 👍
Beautiful grounds. I am going back to do the walled garden as there was a large downpour of hailstones & I got drenched. Lots of birds, beautiful trees and I loved it.
Julie Healy — Google review
There's loads to to do and explore here, from amazing gardens, to a woodland river walk and loads of play areas for children. A family could easily spend a day here!
The house itself is wonderful! I don't think I've ever know a National Trust house feel so homely! There's so many homely touches including fake fires, music playing in some of the rooms and plenty of places to sit and relax!
Hannah Wild — Google review
Gorgeous National Trust property in Northumberland,
Wonderful walks around the gardens following the river..
The most beautiful open gallery inside the house, with original works of art depicting local heritage and culture.
Fabulous gift shop ,ice creams and lots of space for outdoor picnic.tea and cakes..
Great fun for young families,as there's adventure playground climbing frames . always a pleasure in any season.the walled gardens are worth a visit if you like Italian gardens.
Kate Rudd — Google review
This place is truly beautiful! The house is magnificent with ornate decoration, I could have spent hours in all of the rooms, chatting with the helpful guides. We took a walk along the river, continuing into the walled garden. The sun was out and there were plenty of visitors enjoying the Saturday. Having a little snack now in the cafe. No doubt about it, well worth the ticket price. The wife found a free entrance to a National Trust, so very happy to spend in the shop.
Matt English — Google review
Nice, relatively sheltered walks so ideal for both nice and not-so-nice days. Ample parking, good quality paths and the walled-garden area was particularly pleasing with the nice flowers adding a bit of colour even in winter. There’s a dog-friendly and reasonably-sized cafe. Coffee and cakes were decent enough. Toilets seemed newly refurbished and were nice and clean. Multiple play areas for children.
Steve Beckett — Google review
Easy to spend a half day here with the House, Gardens and River Walk to occupy your time. For me, the jewel in the Crown is the large Walled Garden, one of the best I've seen at any property. It's abundantly furnished with a huge variety of flowers and shrubs, and each area of this compound is different, and delights in its own way. From the top corner of the Walled Garden you can follow a gravelled path that takes you down and along the river before returning you to the House. It's around a one hour very pleasant circular walk.
The House is worth a mention as it was gifted to the National Trust with all it's furniture and furnishings. The 19th century library has a lovely homely feel to it with its 3000 plus beautifully bound books. The "Italian Renaissance" style Hall is the centre piece of the House, and don't miss the lavish "Rococo Style" decoration of the Drawing Room ceiling.
Miles Macdonald — Google review
Lovely property and fully up there with the exceptional standards the NT achieve.
The Walled Garden was a real treat, and the footpaths to get there, in fact throughout the estate, were extremely well maintained.
Cafe was also up there with the best and the staff right across the estate were helpful and friendly.
Well worth a visit. Highly recommended.
Alan Davis — Google review
Loved this place, full of history and beauty.
Extremely family-friendly and dog friendly.
Well worth a visit, so much to see, we all thoroughly enjoyed our day .
SOPHIE JOHNSON — Google review
Stunning location, set in vast gardens, the house is just breathtaking. Lots for kids and adults alike to see and do. Super play areas and food available, including wood fired pizzas.
The house is just incredible inside, the decor, furnishings and collections are superb. Also the majority of the house is accessible, which you don't always find at this type of property.
If you're coming through, allow enough time to see everything, you can easily fill a day here.
Michael Lees — Google review
We visited 7 years ago and promised to return, at last we did. Wonderful warm welcome. The staff went out of their way to make our visit just perfect by giving us the information we needed so we could have plenty of time to visit the house and gardens. They were friendly, caring and very polite. There is ample room in the car park, toilet to clean and tidy, and lots of places to sit down to rest or benches to eat and drink. We were one of the last to enter the house but we will not rushed and we were able to look around at our leisure. The house was very interesting and the staff were wonderful. The Walled Gardens are beautifully kept and so enjoyable to walk around. There were play parks for children and some lovely different length walks. This is somewhere I recommend for families because there is something for every different age groups. The staff make sure you have the information needed to suit different age groups.
Sandra Hughes — Google review
Wonderful Wallington! Plenty of play areas for the kids and walks for everyone; through the woods, along the river, up through fields and farmland with wildlife in abundance along the way! Cafe serves a good range of drinks and food and the addition of the wood fire pizza van is a lovely added touch
Jimbob Lowrie — Google review
Really great place to visit. Was so much more than I was expecting. Will visit again as we didn't have time to see all the grounds
craig young — Google review
A good place to visit to spend a few hours particularly on a sunny day. The house has some stunning features and well worth spending some time inside to make sure you see everything.
There's plenty of parking and a short walk to the house which is set in a large courtyard garden. The courtyard has toilet facilities, cafe and shop. We didn't use the cafe but it looked OK but you could always take a picnic as the courtyard/garden offers sunny sheltered spots.
There are several walks around the ground and we followed the river walk and even though it was October it was a very pleasant walk.
We were there on a Sunday and it was quite busy as the grounds appear to be well used by families out enjoying the fresh air.
M Gallichan — Google review
An amazing day out for all the family. It has a variety of nature trails, not all suitable for wheelchair access, but short and long to suit ability. Cafes, shop and toilets throughout the trail is a big plus. Dog friendly.
Dawn Sayers — Google review
Such a wonderful place every time of the year. It's a great trip for the whole family ...you can enjoy a short and long walk or cycle around the estate. There are 3 or 4 playgrounds for kids including a great train playground which was built linking to the original estate 🙂 nice food options and lovely 🍨. The gift shop has lots of plants and a good choice of locally sourced souvenirs. Don't miss visiting the walled garden and you can grab a cuppa there until 3pm and sit and enjoy the nature. Top marks.
Kinga L — Google review
We have visited Wallington a number of times when visiting family. Gardens look good at all times of year. Worth going for snowdrops but good anytime. Tea room offers a good selection of cakes. Friendly staff.
Previously my father used an electric "tramper" to get around which the staff on the gate offered to us, as he can't walk too far. He absolutely loved it and you can get around quite easily.
Look out for the roe deer too!
Jonathan P — Google review
It’s a lovely walk through ancient woodland past ponds to a gorgeous walled garden with colour and beauty even in late November. Particularly excited to discover a toilet facility there too in a very novel outbuilding! Ended the walk with a look around the hall and the plant shop. The perfect day out!
Sarah Deane Photographic — Google review
Wonderful National Trust property and grounds. Always changes throughout the season. Can get busy at times so come early if you can. Staff are always pleasant and welcoming. The long walk from the house to the bridge and back though the walled gardens takes you through various landscapes, really a great day out! The cafe and shop are well stocked with items too.
The house itself is full of treasures, well worth a visit!
Steve Hurst — Google review
Fascinating house beautifuly decorated and so interesting to see how the well off lived really a life of luxury compared to ordinary people. Looking forward to going back to explore the grounds 1
John Reay — Google review
Beautiful place to visit.
Extensive grounds and well kept gardens offering a variety of walks.
The house is well preserved and maintained with staff assisting with information and answering any questions.
Cafes are dotted around the grounds for that all important tea break ..
B Mo — Google review
A lovely 1/2 day and had our boys not grown up I would have expected it to be a full day.
Friendly team and loads to do for all ages.
Cragside, a rural mansion built by inventor Lord Armstrong, boasts sprawling and beautifully landscaped gardens with over 1000 trees. Visitors can explore the house filled with fascinating innovations and gadgets, while children can enjoy a giant play area in the gardens. The terrain is hilly and requires some clambering on flagstone paths, but it's worth it for the stunning views. Although closed to visitors during storm Arwen, Cragside now offers free entry for National Trust members.
Lots to explore! The house and the many innovations there are really interesting. The gardens were just waking up from winter when we went but look great - makes us want to return in the summertime! Giant playpark and some lovely rocky paths behind the house.
Emma Howard — Google review
Beautiful house! Nice garden's to explore with the children. We didn't see everything but did notice that there was a shuttle bus that can take you to the different areas as it is quite spread out. The play park and tea rooms are nice although I didn't get a photo.
KIM CARR — Google review
Always an amazing experience at Cragside, no matter how many times you go you can always find new trails to walk, and photos to take.
If you’re not a NT member then the tickets are pricey but well worth it as we spent over 6 hours at Cragside. Venturing off up to the walks on the cliffs, takes you to the labyrinth, which is so easy to get disoriented… and we did many times. But so much fun.
The lakes are a lovely place to picnic down in the summer sun and spend some lazy hours enjoying the tranquility of it all.
The house is a wonder to those who have never seen it and still very much enjoyable to those that have. I still don’t think it’s an ideal place to take masses of kids, running around the corridors etc.
The gardens are always the most attractive thing. The number of walks around the grounds is testing to even those fit and able. There’s loads of steep climbs and decents, but well worth the effort if you take your time. And the views are gorgeous.
My advice, take a picnic, plenty of fly repellent, and strap in for a full day of walking and enjoying the sights, sounds and beauty of it all.
Chris C317 — Google review
Amazing house & spectacular gardens. If you need support for access there is a great shuttle bus with wheelchair capability. The formal gardens were beautiful. If you like Victorian ingenuity, then this is for you! Hydroelectric power...inventive owner...arts & crafts house. Amazing!
Karen Clyne — Google review
Cragside has to be one of my favourite National Trust visits. There’s so much to do! A really unusual and interesting Victorian manor. Featuring gadgets galore and some stunning opulence! Rockery walks to the formal gardens and then a drive out to the park to for other more adventurous walks and a kids playground! Always worth a visit!
Chris Brierley — Google review
A really excellent experience. The first house in world to be powered by hydro electric power..lovely gardens and interior rooms are unbelievable! Thanks to National Trust for the work it does.
Kevin Buckley — Google review
What a stunning place. Definitely recommend, especially May/early June for the vast array of beautiful rhododendrons.
Great walks, although we got drenched by the heavy rains. Would advise wearing walking boots for a good walk. House is interesting too but the gardens are the star.
Nice cafe, decent choice of food although not a lot of veggie choices. Great cake!
julie kelsall — Google review
Very interesting place with lots of things to see and a fascinating history. Mum couldn't go upstairs but was able to see the rooms and objects on an interactive screen which meant she was included in the whole visit. The drive round the grounds also made it possible for us all to appreciate the site.
Susan Hinchliff — Google review
Absolutely stunning National Trust Property/Grounds. You could spend a day and a half or more here the grounds are very impressive from the moment you drive into the property.
There are several car parks throughout which you can park and visit different areas of the park. The whole Carriage Way Drive is 6 miles long.
We did not visit the property inside itself but after watching the BBC National Treasures Programme after our visit it is evident the house is as it looks on the outside.
If you are visiting with a dog everyone is dog friendly and it is dog friendly throughout the Grounds/Garden.
Victoria Gilbert — Google review
Visited this stunning location midweek during our recent summer holiday. The drive to this beautiful location with stunning landscape views alone helped set the bar!
The estate is huge! You will never cover all it's corners in one day alone. But most visitors firstly enjoy the beautiful house with its stunning decor and history and then it's immediate gardens with the pinetum. You can then take a breather at their cafe before deciding what to do next.
Which would be yo visit other buildings around the site, like the power house which is accessed via a woodland walk, with gradients. There is a peel off route through a small gorge which I would highly recommend, as it is simple beautiful!
The estate is surrounded by vast amounts of forest, which has many, many footpaths and walks which could lead you to the lakes in the upper forests, you will need sturdy footwear also take snacks and drinks, as I said, it's vast!
Most visitors though decide to take their cars on the dedicated route around the estate, where you can take in a lot of the beautiful sites from the comfort of your car seats. There are small car parks around this route if you we wish to pull over and explore!
This is quite important for those who are visiting with people who can't or don't want to tackle the estates miles of footpaths to see these sights.
Simon Kimpton — Google review
Lovely day out, whole family enjoyed it. We are national trust members so was easy to arrive and park up, there was no queue to show our pass at the gates when we arrived. We parked in the main car park where there was plenty spaces and a short walk from the facilities where there was picnic benches, toilets and cafe.
We visited the play area and labyrinth and had a walk through the woods and around the house. Such beautiful views. We did take pram for our youngest, there was lots of trails that wouldn't of been suitable for it but we walked from the house to the play area no problem although steep in some areas. Suitable footwear is a must!
Play area was great for the kids and in a good condition, there was a kiosk there that wasn't open when we went but looks like it would sell refreshments, there was toilets and a car park next to play area too. There is plenty car parks on the trail so if you have little ones that can't walk far you can drive between each car park/area to visit, however there were lots of beautiful trails to walk around as well with plenty picnic areas to stop at if youve brought your own food.
We didn't visit inside the house this time but did look around the outside and walked across the iron bridge with the house view in the background!
Overall we had a great day out and made for tired legs on the way home. Would definitely recommend a visit. The kids are already planning their next trip back.
Victoria Topping — Google review
First time visiting. Only visited a small proportion however absolutely stunning, loved walking around the house especially in the gallery some amazing artwork displayed. Cafe at the stables worth a visit highly recommended the fruit loaf slice. Can't wait to return in the warmer months to fully experience the grounds and walks.
Kirsty Moan — Google review
Amazing landscaped gardens. Bring your hiking boots as it is quite hilly and requires a bit of clambering up and down the flagstone paths.
Absolutely massive trees. Over 1000 trees blown down during storm Arwen.
Craigside house was closed to visitors.
Free entry for national trust members.
Nice friendly staff in the coffee shop.
molometer — Google review
Beautiful area! The house was wonderful (but I would advise not going at "peak" times into the house as it gets busy quickly). I would suggest getting the guidebook as it makes everything else make a bit more sense. The grounds are so expansive - there's definitely more to explore away from the main routes! Once you're in the gardens it's easy to find a secluded space away from the main bustle for a scenic picnic. The carriage view drive was equally brilliant!
Musically Mad — Google review
Cragside! A true hidden gem. Situated in breathtaking scenery. Full of walks of differing levels and the house itself, so interesting and definitely not to be missed. It is £22 for entry with special prices for families or free if you are members of The National Trust. I highly recommend a visit.
Wendy Summerscales — Google review
A brilliant place to visit with all the family. Lots of different areas with lots to look at and wander around - lakes, forest, crags and more. The cafe is lovely with lots to offer and there's an ice-cream hut at the far side. The drive round is quite narrow but worth it. We loved the formal gardens up at the top with tremendous views.
Debs Middleton — Google review
This is a great day out for the whole family. The house was amazing and very interesting. The grounds and gardens were beautiful with so much to see and do. There were plenty of well signed walks but lots of hills so not suitable for everyone. The labyrinth is definitely worth the walk up the hill. There is also a gift shop and tea room to visit.
Mark Reid — Google review
Don’t even know where to start.. this place is incredible, out of this world, jaw dropping! Is a dream and more.
Loads of activities and places to explore on one property.
I have just found my favourite place in the UK and is Cragside. The art, the table that comes apart, the windows and the view, the little falls and the bridge, is all I thought a castle would look like. For me, Cragside was a throwback to Bran Castle and I definitely recommend you see it at least once in this lifetime.
Alexandra-Gabriela Comandasu — Google review
Fantastic house and surrounding gardens, wasn't expecting the walls around the estate but it's a welcome suprise. There's a onsite shuttle bus, welcome center, shop and very good restaurant. The staff are all friendly and answered all our questions.
Some of the walks may be a bit hazardous during Winter/ Early spring, but when the ground firms up and it's a dry day I intend to come back.
The house is really impressive and is mind bogglingly, minimum a 150yrs old yet so modern.
Had free entry as I'm a national trust member, and really re-enforced the great value for money you get with it. The estate also has motorhome suitable parking.
Matthew Chambers — Google review
Lovely day out, fascinating house and extensive beautiful walks in the estate even in the wet! Looking forward to a summer visit
Be prepared though to walk and be aware that some routes might be quite challenging for some persons. You will definitely get your steps in!
Anon Anon (Currymonster) — Google review
This has been on my bucket list and did not disappoint. I went back twice in the same week while holidaying as from Kent. Coach drive, absolutely fantastic, incredible views, a lovely drive around the estate with plenty of huge car parks to stop in and explore. The gardens around the house, stunning, the walk along by the river, stunning. The house was lovely to look at. I will definitely go back, perhaps next time , in the summer months when the weather may be kinder.
Karen Martin — Google review
We have been NT members for over a decade and have seen many amazing places. Visited Crafside for the first time this week and can honestly say that it is our new favourite. So easy to spend a full day there. The property is second to none. A drive-along carriage route offers plenty of beauty spots as well as an incredible childrens play area.
Lisa Wren — Google review
We are National Trust members and call into cragside on a regular basis, there is so much to do and see on site, it is the best of all the sites we have visited and well worth several visit as it is difficult to see everything in one go.
You can park in the main car park and visit the house which is almost a visit in it's self then the hydroelectric area, the visitors centre with shop, tearoom and information centre. Then take the car on the carriage drive, this is a one way tour of the estate with loads of car parks for stopping at picnic site's and other attractions such as the labyrinth, the children's play area or one of the many lakes, there are loads of walks dotted all over the estate, some need good strong shoes or boots.
If you are a non-member, you really get your money's worth. Go early, and you can fill the whole day and still not see everything.
Anthony Hall — Google review
Cragside feels like a magical forest, the gardens and grounds are beautiful and so well maintained. The house it beautiful and the history very interesting. There is a ring road around the grounds which is a lovely drive and there are stop off points where you can park and then go for further walks. Lots of picnic spots if you go in the summer. We are national trust members so all smooth and easy on arrival.
Lauren Cromarty — Google review
House is set in am amazing woodland that has plenty of walks and some stunning scenery. There are two places to eat both have decents prices.
David Connell — Google review
Went here in October. This was somewhere I'd always wanted to visit and I wasn't disappointed. Started off with the six-mile carriage drive and stopped off at several car parks to do some of the waymarked walks with the dogs. Allow enough time for the walks as there is a lot to see, including the water intake for the lakes as part of the original hydroelectric scheme. Afterward visited the house and you go around at your own pace following the waymarked route. We spent quite a long time here and we could have spent longer.
David Grant — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing! There is sooo many things to see. You absolutely need a full day. The grounds are massive. It really is an amazing house. A must see.
Carla Briscoe — Google review
Spent the day trying to explore the extensive nature areas of Cragside!
We walked over 8 miles during our 6hrs+ visit but found a lot of the trails poorly marked! Rather disappointing! Dog friendly in the grounds and a area within the cafe, however it does annoy me as an ex-dog(s) owner when people ignore the “dogs on leads rule” clearly some people can’t read!!
We’ll be back to visit the house and formal gardens another time.
Chillingham Castle, situated near Alnwick in Northumberland, is reputedly haunted and boasts extensive grounds housing rare breeds alongside well-preserved interiors. The castle provides a distinctive setting for eight comfortable apartments. These accommodations offer guests the opportunity to experience the unique charm of living within a castle's walls. Chillingham Castle's address is Chillingham Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 5NJ.
Hall Hill Farm is an excellent family-friendly attraction that features a range of enjoyable activities for children. Visitors can interact with a variety of animals, including cows, rabbits and guinea pigs, and there is also a play barn and toddler area for younger kids. Donkey rides are also available for those looking for a more unique experience. The farm offers other exciting recreational opportunities such as sledging, crazy golf, sheep racing, bouncing on inflatable structures and soft play.
What an amazing place, a must if you have little uns. You can feed the animals, pet them, have a tractor ride, do some digging, go in the playground,
go sledging, play crazy golf, do a sheep race, go on the bouncy things, go in soft play. Or just have a cup of tea in the tea shop. The gift shop is well stocked too. Highland cows were a highlight. Well done farmer Richard and the team.
Peter Richmond — Google review
Loved it! What a great day out, huge play area outside and another inside in the cafe, loads of animals to feed, sinks dotted everywhere to wash your hands. We took our 3yo niece and she loved it bottle fed the lambs, held chicks and a rabbit. Everything was clean and tidy, very busy but it was during the school holidays staff running about all over and all of them where friendly. Plenty of toilets about and the gift shop is fab reasonably priced as was the cafe. Highly recommend!
Sam — Google review
It a lovely day out for all the family. Lots of animals to see and to feed. I got to feed the Highland cows which was amazing!! Plenty of place for the kids to play the play park is really good.
Amy Oldroyd — Google review
Who doesn't love a farm! Fantastic family day out! The kids can have cuddles with Rabbits, Guinea pigs and chick's as well as feeding goats, sheep and Llamas. There are shows as well as tractor rides. Great way to support your local farmers.
Danielle Lishman — Google review
First, I want to say thank you to all staff, you are doing a great job so that our children can get to know nature better. This is a great place for family, you can spend all day here. There are many playgrounds and most importantly, very cute animals. We will definitely go back there again and again.
Inna Sleahtitchi — Google review
An absolutely amazing place! So much to see and do! Set in beautiful countryside. The staff are fabulous and so friendly. There is so much to do and the sheep grand national is such a hoot! The children always love it and we have been a good few times now. The food is great. The crazy golf is crazy and the tractor rides are fab. Charlie the Highland cow was a huge hit. You must go and highly, highly recommended!
Simon Newsham — Google review
Amazing day out with my boyfriend. 🚜🐄🌾 not just for kids. My fave bit had to be seeing the hairy Coos
Carrie ?Caz? — Google review
We spent 4 hours here, we had so much fun. I ended up buying 10 food bags because I know what the greedy goats and sheep are like. My son and I held a guinea pig and a bunny too, I think I went mostly for me more than my 8 year old son 😅
Becki Finnerty — Google review
Took our granddaughters aged 3 and 8
FANTASTIC place. Clean, friendly, so much to do and definitely not out to rip you off like many places.
Never been to a better family place. Only regret is we live too far away to go regularly. We had been on holiday and wanted something to do on the last day before 3 hour drive home.
Will definitely return at some point.
Huge thank you to all their staff for an amazing day
Jill Heywood — Google review
Just can’t thank Farmer Richard and all the workers on the farm including the ticket office/ shop crew, petting area crew, tractor ride crew, cafe crew, and the lady who hosted the lamb feeding, every aspect of this farm was superb, members of staff were engaged and friendly. Food was good quality, fresh and well presented at reasonable prices, Facilities were among the best I’ve seen with sanitisation stations all around with staff and notices to remind to wash hands. Toilet facilities were in excellent condition and very clean.
Being able to stop over after hours in the motorhome in the car park allowed us to also walk with the cattle in the big field.
Superb attraction
Dave and Rosie x
David Glendye — Google review
Received the adoption pack for a highland cow as a gift so we made a trip up from Birmingham to visit. We were told at reception that the cows weren’t available to visit as they were out in the fields during winter, however when we told them we travelled 4 hours, they made arrangements straight away with no issues at all. Richard took us out in their car into the fields where all the highland cows were so we had a very special, unique and personal experiences with just us and the cows, a sheep and even 2 donkeys 😁. We got to feed them and spend a good amount of time out there. Once in a lifetime and very special! I’ve wanted to be close to highland cows for years, so stroking them and feeding them without barriers was beyond expectations.
Thank you Richard and Rachel for organising!
Gayatri — Google review
I've been following Hall Hill Farm on Facebook for a while and since being in the area thought I'd go visit. Absolutely amazing! I loved every minute! Tickets are a Good price, Cafe prices are Good too and the food was really good. There was so much to so, including a free Tractor ride and obviously my favourite part was seeing the Highlands in person. They are incredibly beautiful. Would definitely recommend and whenever we are in the area, we will be visiting time and time again.
Sophie Banks — Google review
There are plenty of things to do at Hall Hill Farm, my children had a fantastic day. My children loved all of it, but they especially enjoyed petting guinea pigs and rabbits. There are many animals to feed and they organise sheep racing through out the day. My daughter also enjoyed the barrel ride which was £1.50 per ride. It’s a really well run farm and the staff were all excellent. I will be recommending HHF to friends and family if they are ever near.
Daniel Hunt (Danny) — Google review
Superb place for all ages. We sat for a good couple of hours while my granddaughter played in the park. The Highland coos were amazing 🥰 our favourites, especially Cheeky Charlie 😍. The handling sections are fab, chicks, rabbits and Guinea pigs 😊Staff could not have been any more pleasant and helpful. Will definitely be going again 👍👍👍👍👍
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