BOOKINGS
Birchlea Lodge
Office:
Karail
Riverview Park
Kippford, Dalbeattie
DG5 4LG
t: 01556 620125
Local Area
Self catering forest lodge in Kippford, Dumfries & Galloway
Out and About
Kippford – picturesque village on the Urr Estuary. 2 pubs, a yacht club, 9-hole golf course, chandlery, art and gift shop, a pottery, shingle beaches. Popular for sailing, jet skis, windsurfing and kayaking. The Scottish National Trust owns the public path joining Kippford with the neighbouring village of Rockcliffe and Rough Island, a bird sanctuary, all providing lovely gentle walks with views across the bay. Rockliffe, only 1 mile away by the Jubilee Path or forest trails, also has a sandy beach good for rock pooling and there is a big sweep of golden sand 3 miles away at Sandyhills.
Beaches- Kippford has shell and shingle beaches at the end of a quiet coastal walkway, Rockcliffe has a gentle shelving sandy beach and Sandyhills (3 miles) has a large golden sandy beach.
Golf courses – Craigieknowes, Kippford (9-hole); Colvend (3 miles) and Southerness (10 miles), both 18 hole.
Mabie Farm Park - nr Dumfries, 20 mins drive via New Abbey, easily an all-day event, go-karting, quad bikes, grass sledging, animal paddock and pet handling, indoor & outdoor play, hay barn, good cafe but also excellent picnic areas. Tons of space to charge around!
Cream O' Galloway Visitor Centre - Gatehouse of Fleet, ice cream made on the premises (tours available), adventure play areas for all ages including scarily high ‘Crow’s nest’, Arial runway, hay barn, nature trails, cafe serving meals including organic beef from the farm, as well as yummy ice cream.
Drummuir Farm - Collin, nr Dumfries, more delicious luxury ice cream and play areas!
Galloway Sailing Centre - Loch Ken, water sport and craft courses, other activities including rock climbing and fishing also available. Family days available.
Castle Douglas ('Food Town') – 15 mins, celebrated for its speciality shopping and now has a monthly Farmer’s Market.
Cocoa Bean Co, Twynholm - Chocolate factory. Open 7 days. Cafe, shop selling handmade chocolates and chocolate making workshops for children and/or adults if there's any room left. Hard to resist.
Threave Gardens, Castle Douglas – beautiful grounds, NT café and a new adventure playground.
Threave Castle - just outside Castle Douglas
Kirkcudbright - 25 mins, well known for its pretty harbour and tradition of attracting artists. Lots of art shops, galleries and cafes.
Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park - Kirkcudbright. Close animal encounters, nature trails, picnic areas & small cafe. Check winter opening
Caerlaverock Castle - Glencaple, one of Scotland's best preserved and the only triangular castle, is near Dumfries. Moat, dungeons, portcullis…
Mersehead RSPB Bird Reserve - 15 mins drive. Wetlands, walks, visitor centre with excellent viewing room, great for children and adults alike. Famous for the thousands of Barnacle Geese that visit
National Museum of Costume – Shambellie House, New Abbey
Red Kite feeding farm - Nr Laurieston
Otter Pool - Nr New Galloway, a natural river pool with picnic area on the Raider's Road, an old drover's route. Great in summer, our children take lilos and ‘surf the rapids’
Local Eating Places
The Anchor and the Mariner pubs in Kippford, both have outdoor seating & great pub grub, and are both well placed to watch the evening sun setting over the bay – the Mariner has a large garden with play area.
The Tee Room, Craigieknowes Golf Course, Kippford – yards from the lodge. Most pleasant wee café, sells Ruthy’s famous scones among other yummy things to stoke up on after a round, or just if you’re passing and fancy a quick bite.
Clonyard House Hotel, 1 mile. Country house hotel in lovely grounds, pub food and occasional theme menus
The Laurie Arms, Haugh of Urr on road to A75, 4 miles. Another good pub eatery
Glenisle, Palnackie, 5 miles. Good pub restaurant and they can supply transport to & from for 4+ diners
Colvend Cafe, Colvend, 2 miles – beside the excellent General store that seems to sell everything – food served all day into early evening
Farmhouse Kitchen, Colvend – great home baking in the garden or conservatory, also shop selling Portugese ceramics & produce.
Garden Tea Rooms, Rockcliffe- the name says it all. Why not park near here, walk to out Castle Point promontory, past 'Nelson's Grave', for the views then have a scone on the way back?
Designs and Street Lights – both King St, Castle Douglas – just 2 of the several eateries in this 'Fod Town'. Designs is also a gallery and shop selling all sorts of gorgeous things. Although cafe downstairs, has disabled access through the garden
Paul Jones, Southerness, 10 miles - good pub food. Near the lighthouse.
