Lovely huge site great for hiking around. Not too much to visit 'indoors' , it's more of an outdoors with ruin buildings to look at type of park. We visited yesterday on their heritage open day. Lovely cafe pizza parlour and also 2 bookshops and local produce stand. Came home with 8 books and a massive courgette 😂 highly recommend for a dose of fresh air and exercise! Also points for a good selection of dairy free ice cream 👍😬

Gibside is a nice place to visit and walk. It was owned by Sir George Bowes.  The place is part of National Trust and it has many walks. The hall is mostly in ruins by still can go close to it. The walks are very extensive and some of the very steep. The chapel is still preserved well. I could see many squirrels and various birds. It is on the border of Durham county. I also noticed a sealed entrance to a mine.

We had a lovely visit to Gibside. My nan used the accessibility bus to go from main entrance to walled gardens to the stables, which was great for her otherwise she wouldn't have opportunity to see most of the area. The guy driving the bus was great! Some of us walked the journey from main area to stables, and it doesn't take long. You pass both the orangery (lovely views out) and the ruins of the old hall - which according to the info was likely turned to ruins on purpose to avoid taxes etc. Whilst we were at Gibside, we also had a quick look in the Chapel and took the kids round to play on the park. The biggest hills are mainly from car park to entrance and then up to the main area where walled garden is. It was a nice few hours out, we enjoyed it!

1st visit and definitely won't be our last. 4 clearly marked trails to walk offering fantastic views along the way. Educational posts with facts about the local wildlife & insects along your walk enhance the visit. Finished our day with a hot drink & a sandwich in the well stocked tearoom. They also have a pizzeria & and an ice cream unit on site too 😀 Gibside needs to be put on your must see list of places to go 👍🏻

Friendly welcome, lovely walks and interesting ruined buildings and landmarks to see. Looked to be very dog friendly. The river walk went through a field with cows and calves, luckily didn't have our dog with us, otherwise would have been a bit wary to go through. Ate in the cafe and the food was lovely but a bit overpriced. Interesting place with some good information boards explaining the buildings.

Beautiful location, excellent staff and facilities, amazing history which you can read about in folders in the cafe (the folders are all researched and put together by locals and volunteers). Definitely worth having a NT membership pricewise

We were in a group of 7 consisting of 4 adults and 3 children. The children liked the play area and the different games they could play in the garden area. It was a lovely day which certainly helped. We had a nice walk around the grounds checking out the Chapel and stables where you can get refreshments. Near the main entrance they serve hot food and pizzas. As we are National Trust members their was no entry charge which is just as well because a small sausage roll would cost you £4.75.

This is a really fantastic place. Our visit was thoroughly enjoyed by both adults, our 9 year old and our 15 year old. The app is brilliant for solving the quest and although it was busy, the site was not crowded. No queues anywhere. A burst pipe meant that the water was off for a lot of our visit but the staff managed this brilliantly and it did not spoil our experience at all. The gift shop has a wide variety of items and is one of the best I've seen. Would definitely recommend to families of all ages.

Brilliant day out, well worth the money. Full of wonder and mystery, even for grown-ups - and the attention to detail is amazing. The staff are really friendly as well as incredibly helpful. Food is amazing at the cafe attached to the gift shop, with a very good gluten free range as well. And although some of the site is understandably not wheelchair-accessible, it is generally very good for people with limited mobility (however the car park could use a few more disabled bays - despite having a blue badge we had to park in the overflow car park which was quite a walk from the entrance). Overall, though, I rate the Forbidden Corner very highly and would recommend to all ages and tastes. We'll definitely be returning!

Brilliant place to visit. Full of surprises, quirky, funny, spooky, we had a great time. We’ve been visiting since it was a little bit smaller, but now a major tourist attraction. Well worth a visit. Try to go when it’s a little quieter, possibly during the week. It was really busy when we went on a Sunday, but all well mannered. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Beautiful location too in the heart of the Yorkshire dales.

What a fantastic day out for the family! We took our 9 year old son here on the first Sunday of October half-term. We all loved it. There were also much younger and much older children there who were having a great time too. We're looking forward to returning next year.

Great day out for kids and adults alike. A grounds to explore full of whimsical wonder. Not fully suitable for this unsteady of your feet of wheelchairs due to lots of narrow staircases and uneven grounds,although plenty to do on level.floor and beautiful views to enjoy. Great food choices, including gluten free and dairy free options. At a reasonable price too. Myself, my 23 y/o daughter and her partner had a great day out today. Highly recommend

We've been several times before, with friends and for a birthday party. Highly recommended for children over 5 years old as some nooks and dark paths that maybe scary for very little ones. Lots of outdoor paths and the playground is suitable for younger ones. Small Cafe wasn't open this last time that was on the main grounds so had to go back to the main one next to gift shop which was a bit of a trek with 4 hot drinks.

I don't want to spoil this place, so just go,take the kids, and experience it for yourself. There are some slightly creepy moments that some sensitive kids (and maybe even adults!) Won't like, but we managed fine with a 6 year old. Great place, very different to other attractions, really unique and original.

Firstly the grounds are gorgeous! Just take a book and seat on one of the benches and take it all in :) Beautiful collection of paintings. Some real impressive ones actually Definitely worth the visit. I was not a huge fan of the swan show…nothing extraordinary. The cafe is nice. The bookshop/gift shop are a must

Loved this place. The pet project installation was wonderful. My daughters made some new friends who all got involved with the most fabulous creative play in that space. Meanwhile I had a moment of meditation (some might call it a snooze) with my headphones in on one of the incredibly comfortable 3D canvasses! Fascinating - history and some artworks and curiosities. I remember the two headed calf from when I was a kid (about 40 years ago) Magical to see the silver swan in action. Highly recommended- beautiful grounds as well. Nice gift shop (quality gifts at reasonable prices). Bought a tea towel ~ we kinda collect them. Staff were all nice… and authentic if that makes sense.

Fabulous day out! I'm a wheelchair user and found the museum very accessible. The staff here were amazing! An absolute credit to the museum! Loved the Silver Swan demonstration at 2pm. The cream tea in the cafe was delicious 😋 The gift shop is very nice too and has a range of reasonably priced goods. We paid the membership fee and will definitely be back a few times.

The Bowes Museum is such a fantastic place to visit! The grand building and beautiful grounds make it feel really special from the moment you arrive. Inside, there’s so much to see fascinating exhibitions, incredible artwork, and interesting displays that keep both adults and children engaged. The café is lovely, serving good food and cakes with a relaxed atmosphere. There’s even a small play park in the grounds, which was a great bonus for the children and gave us chance to enjoy a coffee while they played. A brilliant day out for families, history lovers, and anyone visiting the area.

An incredible place too visit. So much to see, make sure you arrive early as you'll need plenty of time! Astonishing world of art, great history in a wonderful. Friendly staff and a more than decent cafe /restaurant providing very generous portions. A must see if the silver swan automaton.

Fantastic day out today. The staff were all brilliant, kind and offered help. Quite a bit for kids to see and do. We all enjoyed the exhibits on display. Oh and the Silver Swan is amazing! We rang up to request a wheelchair for one of us before arrival and it was no problem. Most of the museum is easily accessible to all. Cafe was good with prompt service and helpful staff. Good value as well. Thank you to all staff today!

We had a lovely day at Bowes Museum. Entry was free due to it being Heritage Week, if we had paid it would still be well worth the money. Lots to see. The grounds are lovely as well, but we got rained off.

This is the sort of place where every which way you look is another perfectly framed view just waiting to be captured. Perfect for an absolute amateur photographer like myself who needs all the help he can get. I would imagine it to be stunning at any time of year, but was particularly beautiful with the first of the autumn colour fringing the edges of the river. Another attraction of this is that it does not depend on good weather to be enjoyed. In fact a spell of wet weather before you arrive will leave the falls in full spate and positively enhance the experience. If you are getting down direct to the waters edge tread carefully. The rocks can be slippery when wet, particularly if you are watching the falls and not your feet.

Lovely national park with some stunning waterfalls and walks. Best get there early though as the car park by the visitor centre gets very busy throughout the day during half terms or school hols. Nice little cafe in the visitors centre.

Wonderful place to visit and explore. We did the short walks to see the 3 falls (all beautiful and a real sense of the power of nature), and also a route from the bottom of the main carpark which took us over fields to a charming village. We’ll definitely be back to walk the circular route to Bolton Castle. Highly recommend planning your trip to be there over lunch, the tearoom on the bridge was excellent!

I absolutely love Aysgarth falls! I use to go every year during summer when on camping trips. I have recently gone again after a few years and took my partner who had never been. It was as beautiful as I remember. We went car camping in a near by car park and we when to the falls first thing in the opening. It’s great for dogs too! Plus, my partner was loving the fact that Robin Hood was films there!

Amazing set of three waterfalls, all with access paths from the adjacent car park, which is inexpensive to use. For the best view of the top waterfall, it is worth crossing the bridge and taking photos from the other side (watching out for traffic). The best viewing area is for the middle cascade, as there is a viewing platform from below the falls. There is a bit of a walk to the lower falls, which can only be viewed from the top of the falls on the riverside stones, which may be wet and slippery. You have to walk across these for around 50 metres to return to the path to the car park. There was plenty of water when we visited in November. They are certainly worth visiting and spending some time there. You can visit the Visitor's Centre and cafe next to the car park.

Amazing little haven, Yorkshire really is a beautiful county. It has 3 falls, top middle bottom. The middle falls is basically just a viewing platform, but the top and bottom can be accessed for close up and engaging views. Lovely place. Worth a visit. Parking is cheaper at the main car park. The cafe before the hill down to the falls is more expensive. Paid £7 for 4 hrs. N ya can get same for up to full day in main car park at bottom between the falls.

Amazing views. Falls Hotel is a great place to stay and eat. Wallace n Gromett lovers, defo go to Wensleydale Creamery, the visitor centre is Amazing too. The cheese is mmmmm-a-lisious. Not that far away, the picturesque scenery will blow you away.

Loved the Cheese Experience which was fun and informative. The shop and cheese room is full of delights to buy. However the restaurant really let it down. Overpriced for the quality received, tables available but told full initially and there seemed to be chaos amongst younger staff working out table spaces at front of restaurant yet ignoring those waiting to be seated or to find out if there is space. Restaurant was really completely disappointing.

I just love cheese of any description, and with my own history of working in the dairy industry a visit here was a bit of a no brainer really. The cheese making demonstration followed by tasting was an absolute highlight. Nice to see they had put out some Wensleydale and fruit cake samples to try. The two together just work so well. Regrettably there was no actual cheese production to watch from the viewing gallery during my visit, but I can hardly fault them on account of their production schedule. The cheese shop is also a must visit, more so than the equally well stocked gift shop in my opinion. Well laid out and with samples of each flavour available to try before you buy. I did a lot of trying, and then of course a little buying. Be prepared for the cold in here though, presumably to help keep the cheese fresh.

Wensleydale creamery visitors centre and Calverts Restaurant is in Hawes, in literally the heart/ middle of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. The staff had spot on customer service/ hospitality. In shop, cheese shop and the restaurant. They have a small visiter car park,but the is a large car park 150 yds down the road, which is a pay car park. The Wensleydale creamery experience you need to buy tickets for online. In Calverts restaurant, we were lucky to get a table, many people turned away and had to book. For 2 meal,a side & 2 drinks cost £36. The meal was delicious 😋. I will post pictures. The cheese shop was very busyand wasnice to taste other cheeses. 🧀 😋 Will show also in pictures as well as the gift shop. The gift shop was like going in a candy shop as there was loads of items to buy and gifts. Some items was expensive but others not so bad. Ice-cream cost £3.50 each. I totally recommend. Wheelchair friendly and has blue badge parking.

It certainly looked like fun when reading about it online. But when we visited on Sept 27, the place was absolutely packed. There was no parking in the visitor lot, so we needed to use the Pay & Display lot located down the street. I had hoped for a lovely cheese type tea in the restaurant, but had not realized that booking was necessary. I would have had to wait an hour, and I wasn't willing to do that with so many people crowding around. We opted to go to the "fast food" counter and order cheese scones, each of which came with a walloping amount of butter. I ordered the cappuccino to go with it. I felt a bit like splurging. The scones were OK. I wouldn't say they were outstanding. So, overall, I'd say my experience was disappointing, and I'm one who usually gets excited by simple things!

Took the tour last year, was amazing. This year, was back for more cheese (after free samples in the tasting room!) Both times had a lovely meal in their Calvert's resturant. Totally recommend.

What a great place. Much bigger than I was expecting, they've certainly made the most out of their association with Wallis and Gromit. There's a large gift shop selling a wide range of goods including; Pottery, gin, beer, biscuits, smelly stuff as well as cheese, of course. We paid to watch a demonstration on how they make cheese, around £5.50 for adults. They run demonstrations at certain times throughout the day. We enjoyed it as well as looking at all the old equipment and hearing about how it all started.

Came a bit late in the day, so didn’t have lots of time to visit the different areas. We sampled some cheeses and ended up buying some to take home. Then we stopped at the cafe for a cuppa, and cheese scone! We had a decaf tea and would have liked a Yorkshire decaf! The cheese scone came with a slice of Wensleydale, butter and chutney, which was delicious . There’s plenty of seats outside which was fab, with the afternoon sun on my back!!

We visited the fort and museum and spent about an hour and a half here, which was plenty of time to really take it all in. The ruins are incredible and give you a real sense of the history, while the museum brings everything to life with well-laid-out displays and fascinating artefacts. The hill up to the fort is quite steep, but it’s definitely doable if you take your time — worth it once you’re at the top. Facilities are limited, with only one bin and toilet at the entrances, so it’s best to plan ahead. Overall though, it’s a brilliant experience that stands out for both the history and the atmosphere. I’d recommend it to anyone — whether you’re into history, out for a family trip, or just looking for something different to explore.

Housesteads is one of the most impressive and atmospheric forts on Hadrian’s Wall. The ruins are remarkably well preserved, with clear outlines of the granaries, barracks, and the commander’s house, giving a real sense of Roman life on the edge of the empire. The views across the Northumberland landscape are breathtaking, especially from the wall itself, which runs right past the site. There’s a good museum with artefacts and context, plus really friendly staff. A good idea is to include a decent walk along the wall and to visit the museum at the same time. A must-see if you’re exploring Hadrian’s Wall.

Glad we made a detour here on the way back from Scotland. I’d advise going early as it was extremely busy when we left at lunchtime with coaches, we arrived just as it was opening. It’s a steep but steady climb up. Although it’s an English Heritage site, National Trust membership gains access and the cafe/facilities at the bottom are NT managed with museum/shop at top next to site English Heritage (which is also point for tickets).

Wonderful Roman garrison. If you intend walking Hadrian's wall be prepared for some very demanding climbs and descents wear good shoes and clean it can be very wet and windy. Speak to locals.

We came here on a Saturday morning, after having driven an hour or so from Newcastle. The place is operated jointly by National Trust and English Heritage and members of both organisations have free entry. The parking is not free even for members, but there was plenty of spaces. There is quite a long walk from the entrance point to the Fort, going first down hill and then climbing up hill. There is not a great deal left of the Roman Fort but its location right by Hadrian's Wall makes it very interesting. There is good explanations about the history of the place at the visitor's centre nearby. The Hadrian's Wall Path runs along these ruins with energetic ramblers passing by.

Another 'wow' for the Romans. This is one heck of a fort remains. Stepping amongst history made 2000 years ago ! Parking is independent of Nat Trust/English Heritage, around £5 for 3/4 hours, ample spaces with allocated motorhome spots. Lovely Bat Trust chap on reception. You don't pay/card until you're up at the fort. Nat Trust Cafe/toilets etc. There's coffee/snacks at the top but no actual cafe/toilets. It's quite a walk up, well maintained pathways, and most definitely worth the walk. Access can be made by car for less able folk. Brilliant, so much to see, read and explore - including the amazing wall.

Fantastic remains of a Roman Fort and adjoining accommodation and amenities alongside Hadrian's Wall. English Heritage or National Trust membership allows you in for free. Set in beautiful surroundings on hills occupied by sheep and lambs. Good base for Hadrian's Wall walks and has a café, shop, bathrooms, and museum, the latter displaying regular showings of a very informative video. Parking is not free but is convenient and paid by NFC on leaving the premises (number/license plates detected on entry and timed from then). Well worth it.

Ancient and well used site of Roman settlement and fortification. Nine different forts were built on this site over time. Ruins of village are also seen just outside the fort. A fine museum, gift shop and small cafe are also on site.

One of the most interesting historic sites. Very cool Roman artifacts well preserved by the conditions including various textiles in the museum. The cafe food was delicious and reasonable so it’s a great spot for lunch

Visited when I was a kid- but so much improved 30-odd years on. Loved it then; adore it now! A huge highlight was Annette, our volunteer tour guide, so enthusiastic and informative with various humorous anecdotes that even my teenagers gave her 5 stars. The museum is tremendous, so much better than before, with amazing exhibitions that really make life on the frontier near-2000 years ago very real. As for the cafe: 3 of us had baked potatoes and one soup. They were all delicious and welcome on a cold windy day. And the cakes: I had an excellent cheesecake; and the rocky road went down well with the 14-year-old. A very enjoyable experience!

I thought this would be a bit… well dull, but I was really wrong. The walking tour really brought the site to life and it was interesting and engaging. I learned lots about Roman life in the area (and I’m not a history geek - it was genuinely interesting). The museum space was great and interesting too. All the team on site were wonderful and helpful. I would recommend a visit if you have any interest in Roman life - and even if you think you don’t !!

A fantastic place to get a feel for life in Roman Britain near Hadrian's Wall. Something for all ages and abilities great café too. So glad we visited and took time to walk the site and explore. Amazing finds in the museum. Friendly and helpful staff

Vindolanda is an absolute must-see for anyone interested in Roman Britain. The museum is outstanding, with incredible artifacts—including the famous Vindolanda tablets—that bring daily life on the frontier vividly to light. Be sure to take the guided tour of the site itself; it adds so much context and helps you really understand the history and significance of what you’re seeing. A truly fascinating and unforgettable experience

Such an amazing and fascinating site with great staff and beautiful and well equipped museum. We had a guided tour by Paul and I have to say - best guide ever!! Well educated, passionate, funny, keeps attention. Love how the site is preserved and how good it looks. The museum is really must see!

It's the only show cave I've visited and actually felt like I was in a natural cave. The fact that most of the cave is pretty much j as nature created it, with scaffolding platforms to walk on (rather than a dug out and concrete filled floor) gives it this feeling. Plus the end of the cave is still being explored. Really worthwhile visiting. The tour guides are great at what they do, and you're given plenty of opportunities at the end to make your own way out of the cave at your own pace to take photos.

White Scar Cave is a fascinating underground wonder! The guided tour takes you through impressive limestone formations, waterfalls, and unique chambers filled with natural beauty. The staff are knowledgeable and make the experience engaging. A bit of walking and ducking in places, but absolutely worth it for the breathtaking sights inside. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the area

Great cave experience, Mike our guide was fantastic. Informative and interesting to listen to. Great for adults and kids. You do need to have quite good mobility, there is a few sections that require you to walk stooped over and to be manoeuvring around rocks, lots of stairs too.

Second visit to this outstanding set of showcaves and still every bit as magical as the first. Even the view from the car park is awe inspiring in a way that few other attractions can match, and things only get better from there as you make your way underground. The guides are very knowledgeable and help you to make sense of what you are seeing as you go. Some superb flowstone formations, and I found the ice age mud deposits in the battlefield cavern utterly fascinating. Take advantage of the toilet facilities before you enter the caves. It's a long walk around with a lot of running water. Definitely worth half a day of your time spent on a visit here.

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour . The guide was extremely knowledgeable and very personable. If your tall be prepared for quite long passages where your crouched right down . The tour takes around 80 minutes to complete. Our group comprised ages from 10yrs old to about 70 ish and we all enjoyed it. Well worth a visit Esp on a rainy day

We were on our way back home from Lake District and decided to check it out as a stop. Great experience. Our guide was Christopher. Not only did he show the key areas but thrown in some fascinating facts on how the cave formed and how old it is. The discovery of the cave was also an inspiring story. See for yourselves. Truly recommend. Shame we missed the kitchen opening times at the cafe. Stunning views inside and outside. :)

Found this place quite by accident, while eating lunch and managed to get on the next tour. Booked my ticket online but tickets can also be bought at the cave. There were so many people that they spilt us into two groups with a guide each. Our guide, Adele was knowledgeable, fun and delivered a great tour. Truly an amazing experience.

Never heard of this place before so we thought we'd give it a go. Being in early October and a Monday it was quiet when we arrived, plenty of parking. Not the best of days weatherwise but that didn't put us off. It's definitely a trail that needs moderate fitness as it's fairly up and down with many steps, plus good boots are needed (especially in the wet as the rocks are slippery). But if you take time there shouldn't be any issues. Some amazing waterfalls with good viewing points. There are cafes at the start and half way round but the one by the carpark was closed. (Monday). There was an ice-cream van further up the trail. Overall a pleasant hike with great views. Is it worth £11 per adult? I'd say yes as someone has to maintain it.

This walk is amazing. We went as a family group with 4 adults and 2 children aged 3 and 6 yrs. We thought the prices were a bit steep at first but the car park is very good and the toilets are clean and modern. The walk is exciting and awesome. There are waterfalls all the way up and on the way back down too. The path is stoney and slippy at times with lots of steps so adequate footwear and clothing is necessary. Absolutely brilliant.

Was a bit skeptical when i had to pay 11 each to walk around the trial. It was worth it. Many beautiful waterfalls and takes about 2 hours at least to complete. It took us 5. We like to stroll and really admire what were looking at. We even got to walk behind one of the falls which was breathtaking.

Way better than I imagined..walk took 3 hours to complete,and we saw many small to medium waterfalls. Entrance at £11 IS good value,don't let it put you off. Parking is plentiful,with excellent toilets just before yo pay to enter.

This walk is beautiful and follows a river full of waterfalls around a circular route stating in Ingleton. It is ideal for families with children who can walk 4 miles. The walk has been on private land for many years and costs adults £11 (in 2025) including parking. The walk has a nice cafe stop halfway round. I took a detour up Ingleborough adding another 6 miles, but it was worth the views. Ingleton is a lovely village with decent pubs, cafes and outdoor sports store. A great day out.

Been wanting to visit here for a while. It didn't disappoint. Yes there is a charge, but it is also kept very well. Paths are good and there are a few fun scramble parts( I visited in the dry, might be different in the wet) Waterfalls galore and plenty of swimming spots. Great area at Thornton force for a picnic. All in all a full fun day out.

Beautiful views lovely and peaceful. I enjoyed the Waterfalls. But I won't lie, this trail is not easy in the slightest. I found it extremely difficult at times despite taking regular rest breaks. A lot of people turned back halfway through and we wondered why. The last half of the trail is mainly a hike through scenery and nothing to do with the waterfalls at all. The map does not match the trail which I found very unhelpful, there are numbers at certain points of the trail as you go along. I would suggest finishing at 8 or if you want to see the last waterfall 10. There is an ice cream van but it's another 10/15 mins after the last waterfall and is over a bridge with a steep decline and incline. Overall I'm chuffed we managed to do it in just over 3hrs but I wouldn't do it again. There is a toilet block and plenty of parking but the price seems a bit steep at £22 for 2 adults.

We loved our night at the observatory. Unfortunately it was a very cloudy night so was a bit hit and miss, catching the stars through the telescopes. Staff were amazingly entertaining and their passion rubbed off on you by the end of the visit. Complimentary hot chocolate was welcomed towards to end, getting a bit of free time to ask questions and revisit sections of the observatory. The building itself was impressive with the manually rotating roof sections where the telescopes live. We went early June and very keen to go back on a clear night in peak winter season. Thanks for an amazing experience

Wonderful experience. We attended the 9m session on a wonderfully clear July night. The initial video presentation was astounding and truly opened our eyes on the sheer scale of the night sky. The subsequent opportunity to view the sky through the Observatory telescopes in the presence of experts was astounding. This was then followed by a great opportunity to chat with the team The sessions cannot fit in many visitors so it is important to book ahead. And do follow the detailed arrival instructions - the site is by its nature remote and off the beaten track

I had a wonderful experience here. It says something that after driving for 2h into dark skies and it ending up being a cloudy night, that I still wasnt disappointed and would absolutely do it again. The talks were so informative and engaging, super interesting. We saw and used the telescopes and were able to observe a star despite the clouds.

Really good, I would say excellent. The team who were at the top to meet us stay with us for the 3 hours of our tour were brilliant. The team were very knowledgeable in there subject, they were very helpful and super friendly. Unfortunately the weather wasn't helpful it was raining for the first two hours. But the last hours the stars appeared which was fantastic. The team explained so much. I would definitely recommend to go and see the stars. Don't forget it is weather permitting.

We had clear skies - result. We have been before although it was cloudy then. However, don't be dismayed as the team put on a brilliant, educational and interesting talk / slideshow to entertain you. Our last visit was clear skies and we had the opportunity to to look through both telescopes as well as sit outside in the moon chairs to gaze at the night sky. Team there were so enthusiastic, knowledgeable and able to make the subject approachable. Photos are from my iPhone 17 Pro Max, so no match for the telescopes, but gives you an idea. Being dark sky status the area is superb for star gazing be you just interested or a seasoned professional. The track up to the observatory is about 2 miles long, a little bumpy in places and can take a while at 10mph so bear that in mind with your arrival timing.

I visited the observatory on my birthday in March for one of their aurora watch evening events. I knew there was a *chance* of seeing the aurora borealis here (because of an 11 year peak, spring equinox and dark sky conditions) but I never dared hope I would get to see them on my actual birthday! We all filtered in to the lecture room and then within a couple of minutes of the introduction starting, a fellow staff member came rushing in to say it's happening, and then we all went outside and had at least 15mins of watching it live. Phone cameras pick up more than the naked eye, so it doesn't look as pretty as what my phone says, but that doesn't mean it's still not fascinating or exciting to be able to take slow exposure shots and see the results of what you've just captured! Once the excitement was over, and it had calmed down, back inside we went for some learning and then the big telescopes. Had an absolutely fantastic time. Can't recommend this facility enough. You need to do your research and book in advance, but if you do so you will have a wonderful time.

One of the best events I've ever been to, absolutely outstanding and we will definitely be returning for future events. Can't thank Adam, Dan and Gregoire enough, their enthusiasm was electric. Amazing!!!

Really great place to stay for anyone, fun for all the family. Plenty of activities, the pool is excellent and the on site shop has pretty much anything you need, albeit rather expensive. Only thing to be mindful of is where your lodge is as we ended up being right at the bottom of a huge hill and it was a bit of a trek every time we went anywhere.

I must admit, I had no idea what to expect. We arrived in the dark, and had no idea of the layout, not much helped by being partially sighted, and the lighting of the roads and paths being somewhat dark. Luckily, we were rescued by friends who were more familiar with the place. We had a lakeside studio apartment, actually pretty comfortable for the two of us, with a bathroom, kitchen, king sized bed, and a sheltered outside area. Our friends had a cottage, with sauna, en suites, a decent kitchen, and sitting area. Spotlessly clean, and well maintained. Our group were 50s-70s, and found the activities that we tried very enjoyable. We booked ahead for bowling, spa, Bollywood dancing, and the catamaran. The pool area, with the various rides was excellent. Staff were universally friendly and helpful, and any repairs needed (tv stick in the bigger house) carried out within hours. We were here in early November, weektime, so lots of families had younger children/babies. The weather was mild. Some rain at times, but I reckon it would be possible to enjoy even in bad weather. All in all, a great experience, and our group is likely to book again at a similar time.

It was good but you have to like one way systems and walking because everything is far away from the lodges. A lot of it is uphill so even if you hire a bike, which costs a lot, you will still struggle to get around. The lodge we had was like a house in size and had a pool table.

We absolutely loved our holiday at Center Parcs, almost everything was perfect. Firstly, as you would expect the location is amazing. The kids loved the wildlife which was everywhere you looked. There are so many activities and things to do that you are never bored, however some of the activities are over priced. Every single member of staff we interacted with was so friendly, they were great with the kids and made you feel welcome. The swimming pool area is brilliant, so much to do and you can spend hours there. Check in and check out is easy too! The only very minor issue we had was in relation to the lodge upon arrival. The beds were not made…. Clean bedding was left but not put on so we had to make our own beds. For what is the equivalent of £350 a night I expect the beds to be made (they would in any hotel for that price). The bedding isnt particularly comfortable or ‘homely’ but we could get over that. Also, the bins weren’t emptied upon arrival which I firmly believe they should be. All in all, a really good holiday and we will almost certainly go again!

Fantastic holiday here again with my sister and our kids. Great pool facilities. Just wish we'd booked the acrobranch activity earlier as we missed out. Bike hire could be cheaper...

Loved the site, 4th CP I've been too, took dogs and villa was roomy and well set out, could of done with some screening out the back as dogs kept getting alerted as could see people moving passed, but can see they are upgrading at moment. Loved the segways, great way to get a review of the site, was well placed for both village centre and sports plaza, easy to walk between, found loads to do, will definitely go back to this one again

The whole place is amazing. We have stayed about 6 times now in a variety of lodges and have enjoyed them all. The vibe is lovely, nice and peaceful and scenic, close to nature, car free site so safe for the kids, just so much to like. But the pricing for the activities is extortionate. Also the food pricing is silly. You need to take as much of your own food as possible to negate this. A meal in the nice restaurant, you are looking at £17 for an OK pie and mash (the kids meals are reasonable in here though). You have to pay for everything apart from the swimming (which is great). £35 for high wire activity (regardless of age), there was something else we looked at that was £85 per person too. Just really expensive if you want anything at all.

First time visit, beautiful gardens, bit past their best due to the time of year but will definitely return spring/summer next year. Cafe was a very nice and good was good. £15 per adult but we got in free with Historic Houses membership. They are currently doing some restoration work on the ruined castle but there is a demo on the history of it.

Wow what a spectacular place to visit! The castle itself is so impressive. Not far from the M6 too so we stopped on route from Scotland to the Midlands. The cafe was pleasant, lots of choice to eat. We had burger and chips which was tasty. High chairs available. Toilets near to the cafe. And at the back of the grounds is the best outdoor playarea I've ever seen suitable for all ages. It's huge, has zip wires for older kids and toddlers, sand pits, slides, swings. It's a great day out if not a better stop than the services!

What a beautiful castle and grounds. Plenty of open space to wander and have a picnic. Great grounds with a lovely cafe indoors, with plenty of outdoor seating inside the square of the castle grounds. The cafe had a super selection of fresh meals and great bakery products as well. Ice cream parlour was delicious. Parking very reasonable at £2, can be paid at the restaurant.

An interesting former stately home, with extensive gardens. A tale of what happens when these spend thrift lords throw it all away. They are still working on parts of the estate and gardens, but is well worth a visit. The cafe is decent and is a popular spot for families.

A fantastic day out for adults, children & dogs. Extensive gardens & woodlands to explore, a large adventure playground with separate areas for older children and toddlers- with the only toddler seat zip slide I've ever seen!- cafes and of course what is left of the castle. The gardens are so loved and well maintained, there were absolutely loads of mushroom varieties if that floats your boat! A small museum section which tells you the story of the house and how it came to what it is today, as well as plenty of information boards everywhere you go. Dogs are allowed every where except inside the play areas, but there are plenty of benches/seats looking over the play area for someone to sit and wait with the dog. The café next to the play areas are only open weekends and school holidays- which we didn't realise until after we got there so please bare that in mind!

An absolutely unique place to visit, just off the M6. The gardens are beautiful and the owners are expanding their size and variety. The back story of the house and it's colourful owners is alone worth a visit. Great for children too and completely dog friendly.

Stunning Castle with lots to do for the whole family. My 10yr old loved the playpark and the different areas to explore. The cafe was nice, but not many options for picky eaters, although the scone was delicious!

A spectacular old cathedral in the northeast corner of England. It is a personal favorite and I would recommend a visit. Begin in 1123 in the Norman style, it was built with local red sandstone. Much of the church was rebuilt in the 13th century in the Gothic style. The ceiling is spectacular. Owen Jones designed and specified the painted star ceiling in Carlisle Cathedral’s choir during its 1856 restoration under architect Ewan Christian. The wooden barrel vault dates to the 14th century, but the medieval scheme was lost, and Jones—a prominent Victorian decorative artist known for his work on the Crystal Palace interiors—created the blue background with gold stars and angels, drawing from historical styles. It was later repainted in 1970 for preservation, maintaining Jones’s original vision. The east window is impressive. It is the largest and most complex such window in England at 51’ by 26’. It depicts events from the life of Christ; some of the panes in the upper portion are original, dating back to 1350. Parking in the area is good. There are several car parks within half a mile.

So nice to be able to wander around with the dog. It’s a beautiful cathedral with some unique points of interest, including the ceiling. Perhaps not the most impressive in the country but it holds its own. The grounds are also very pleasant.

Fabulous. A warm welcome on arrival, no pressure to pay or make a donation (which is high on our reviews of somewhere - happy to make a donation, but to be charged to enter a church !! Totally unacceptable in my view ...). Plenty of volunteers to offer historical information, really friendly. This cathedral 'feels' comfortable, warm and open. Really enjoyed the stories ... well worth a visit (& the donation !).

I visited the cathedral on June 2nd and was warmly welcomed by the kindest staff. Two gentlemen offered me a map, pointed out the must-see spots, and shared a timetable. They also noticed that my friend had stayed outside with his dog and proactively let me know that dogs are allowed inside. That thoughtful gesture really stood out. It was heartwarming to see how genuinely kind and attentive they were. And the cathedral itself? Absolutely stunning. Truly worth a visit!

Very old and interesting. The stain glass windows are in very good shape considering the age. The organ pipes along with the organ itself are really worth the visit. There are lots of buildings on the site which you can look around the library is interesting the entrance to which is through the cafe, the cafe has a large area outside and quite a large area inside the food is good. Would recommend trip here.

Today, accompanied by both my sons and grandmas, we spent a truly memorable two hours at Carlisle Cathedral—an experience that was both calming and profoundly awe-inspiring. The cathedral’s serene atmosphere speaks volumes beyond words, inviting quiet reflection within its historic, hallowed walls. We were fortunate to be greeted by a highly knowledgeable guide who kindly provided us with a detailed map and patiently answered all our questions, enriching our visit immeasurably. Although the organ wasn’t playing this week due to half-term, which was a slight disappointment, it gave us an opportunity to treasure the visual and spiritual grandeur of the space even more deeply. We took the chance to purchase a CD of the cathedral’s magnificent organ music, promising to carry a piece of the experience home with us. Carlisle Cathedral, with its timeless beauty and thoughtful stewardship, is a gem that left us inspired and grateful—a place to revisit time and again with loved ones.

Magnificent, pocket sized, deep-red sandstone cathedral, with a magical painted ceiling that will give you neckache for the time you will want to keep marvelling at it. It’s a small building with a pretty cloister, not really something you’d spend more than half an hour poking around, but if you’re in Carlisle, it’s definitely worth going out of your way to go and see this. Check opening times though, it isn’t always open. And maybe help support the cathedral by having a bite to eat at the cathedral cafe, as in the UK, this really is one of a kind - painted ceilings like this are what you see occasionally in France, but very rare in the UK. I remember being blown away the first time I saw it, I’d never seen anything of the kind before. Quiet, rarely many people, you’ll generally have the place to yourself.

Such a beautifully curated attraction. We all loved it (adults) so beautifully done. It must have been such a joy to put to together, the modelling and art work was so clever. I loved going into the garden it looked just like the real garden at Hill Top (though smaller). The little boxes with Beatrix Potter figures in a mini tableau were exquisite. A must for all ages.

I first visited this place three years ago, and I found that this place was quite small. I cannot believe how much bigger it has become this year. They have not only added more visual aids of scenes in mainly Peter Rabbit’s stories, but also added a brand new gallery showing the background of Beatrix Potter, involved with the Lake District history. It’s quite fun to take photos here and observe cute little animal figures in the barrows closely. The gift shop has not changed much, and the products there remain the same. Overall, it is an interesting place to visit, especially when you come with families and friends.

I’m in love! Totally worth a visit if you are a fan or in town with the kids. Lovely exhibition and enough activities to keep the kids entertained. Even if you’re not a fan it is worth a visit for their display! From an artistic perspective they did a marvelous job. Unfortunately for we visited quite late in the day so we only got to spend so much time inside. Would recommended the latest admission at 15:00 if you truly want to enjoy the full experience and get lost in the world of Beatrix Potter!

Such a nostalgic place to visit as an adult (with no kids) who thoroughly enjoyed reading the books as a child. The exhibition is in great condition and it was lovely to have all the memories brought back. We thoroughly enjoyed stopping at the Peter Rabbit Café afterwards too!

This was one if the loveliest, cutest museums we have been too. The animations and displays were beautifully done, and took straight back to your childhood days. It was so informative and interactive for kids. Highly recommend a visit

Superb!! The highlight of our holiday. We started at the cafe across the road (well worth a visit) and then came here. It starts with a short film which my 2 year old enjoyed, and then the free-pace walk around was outstanding. Low stimulation great for toddlers, beautiful displays and garden really brings the books to life. We’ve told everyone about it as we enjoyed it so much. I hope this stays with my daughter as a childhood memory and hope we can come again in the future

This was so much more than we ever expected! We thought it would just be a quick one-hour visit since it’s quite a small area. But guess what — my girl spent almost three fun hours inside! There was so much to learn and explore, and she was determined to answer every question and not miss a single hidden gem. What a world of imagination and creativity!

Huge lake and you'd love the cruise here as there are very differing sights to see and click. The commentary on the cruise boat is also very informative. We took a sunset cruise and it was just gorgeous! Also, being summer time the weather was very pleasant.

Stunning lake area, first time ive been for 30 years. Very commercial these days, so expect it to be busy and of course pricey. Ariel views from my drone.

Don't miss this place, if you visit or live in the UK! An amazing spot in the North of England! Acceible with train and bus, and appropriate for family and kids.

Amazing views, defo recommend for sightseeing and you can book (both online and in-person) boat trips for you and your family which was so fun and cheap as well!

Had a great day at windermere. If you are ever in the area nearby definitely make the drive to windermere its so beautiful and there is so many shops

Beautiful view. Definitely try boat ride for seenic pics. Great nature feeling. Few different Boat ride depend on distance, we opted for longest one , so it took almost 90 min to complete. Few was amazing but felt little bit bored due to duration. Boat ride was amazing. Literally felt like lost in green nature. Parking options were many.

A must-see area of the Lake District. (The ferry crossing is convenient and would save drivers nearly 45 minutes of traversing to get across the lake.)

You can imagine Beatrice in all the rooms and outside sitting in her garden. Full of things she loved and the stories she wrote, the house is big (lowish ceilings) and interesting but lots of visitors make the rooms seem small. Dog friendly, a few benches in her garden to enjoy a picnic or a drink\bite from the mobile cafe, toilets down a step. 2hrs parking is ample for looking round, so arrive a few minutes before your booked time, check in and collect your token for the house. Book and gift shop plus a house had cake for £2 and another a few plants for sale.

Beatrix Potters beloved farmhouse. You need to book car working if visiting here via the National Trust website. It’s a nice way to spend and hour reminiscing on the books you had in childhood. Beatrix used the farmhouse and local area as inspiration for her famous children’s story books. You see story boards around the side demonstrating this. The house is interesting with lots of the original contents on display. These are refreshments, toilets and a shop on the site.

My visit to Hill Top was a cherished return after 25 years, and it was just as magical as I remembered. It was a joy to walk through Beatrix Potter's gardens and home, which truly sparked my imagination. I was especially excited to find a Peter Rabbit book for my grandson, a perfect memento of the visit. ​The grounds are pet-friendly, which was great for our group. However, dogs are not allowed inside the house itself, so we took turns visiting to make sure everyone got a chance to see it. ​The views and the small village are incredibly quaint and charming. I highly recommend stopping at the pub located between the car park and the property entrance—it’s a great spot. ​A major tip for visitors is to book your tickets online in advance. We purchased our tickets the day before and got the last two available spots for the entire day. I would have been so disappointed to have traveled all the way to the Lake District and not gotten in! We booked the last time slot at 2:30 PM, and it seemed to have the fewest crowds, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

The main attraction here is to be in the same spaces that Beatrix Potter occupied and see how those spaces inspired the writing of some of her books. Having copies of those books open and available at points through the house was a nice touch which added an extra level of understanding to the place. The mice hidden throughout the house to find also added to the visitor engagement in a way that seemed to fit well with the general feel of the place. If you are not a Beatrix Potter fan (but you're other half is perhaps?) then do not fear. There is plenty of interest here for the tag along visitor too. The house holds its own as a purely historical attraction, and the garden areas surrounding the house are also noteworthy. The gift shop just before the exit is well stocked and the staff were welcoming and helpful. Some exclusive items here that can only be bought at the shop itself. They are not cheap but I would imagine a dedicated fan will not be deterred by the larger numbers involved.

Lovely place, well looked after by the national trust with almost all the original furnishings. So interesting to see more about Beatrix's life. Got the ferry across from Bowness and walked up, a bit of road walking at times but a beautiful walk.

The house is beautifully set for visitors to see how Beatrix Potter lived and worked. The garden is just as I imagined. Beatrix Potter did so many good things for children with her books and pictures. Her work with people in the Lake District helped to keep it looking wonderful for generations to enjoy. I am so glad the NT takes so much care of Hill Top. Thanks to Joey’s for the yummy coffee.

We precooked tickets as NT members but still had to queue in the hot sun for 20 minutes to go in so I'm not sure why you need to book! The house is small but definitely worth a visit. The garden is very pretty with a small coffee bar. It is a very steep walk from the Lakeside ferry but there are beautiful views to take your mind off of the climb!

Really nice place to visit just into Scotland. The restaurant was tidy and tables cleared quickly. The coffee was very good . Went into the blacksmith museum and enjoyed looking at the history of the place. The food hall very good with a few items of food I haven't seen before.

Got married in there a week ago! Beautiful place filled with character and history. Lots of cool souvenirs in the shop (husband bought the anvil jumper, I bought lots of things like magnets, mini whiskeys, Christmas decorations etc) the museum was very informative and interesting, there was a cute wall to put your story on! Staff very lovely and if you stay at one of their hotels you get 10% off (excluding alcohol) You'll always see someone getting married there. The Thursday we arrived we witnessed 4 during our visit. Then on or day I saw two others. Be warned if you get married here you may have tourists snapping shots of you! (Was a very surreal feeling but I didn't mind, they were all so sweet giving compliments)

Even though I really enjoyed going to Gretna, I felt it had changed so much. It's a beautiful place to visit but it's got very commercialised. That being said it still holds a big place in my heart.

A charming and historic spot that oozes romance! Famous for runaway weddings since the 1700s, the Blacksmith’s Shop is packed with character and fascinating exhibits. The museum tells the stories of eloping couples beautifully, and the setting feels like stepping back in time. Even if you’re not tying the knot, it’s worth a visit for the history, lovely gift shop, and cosy café. Staff are friendly and happy to share the legends of the place. A must-stop if you’re anywhere near the Scotland–England border. I also recommend bringing a lock to put on the ‘LOVE’ sign! We bought one from the gift shop and wrote our initials on it.

returned to visit after we wed here 21 years ago. all staff we encountered from gift shop to cafe or the museum were helpful and happy. the upgrades to the museum are a nice addition and interactive way to explain the history of the location

We must have hit on a quiet time to visit. Last time we visited the place was very busy. It was more enjoyable being able to amble around the site. I didn't realise couples actually get married here. We saw at least three couples set to get hitched. We visited the cafe which had a very tasty selection of varying foods on offer. My better half praised how tasty the Scotch broth was. We had a look in the souvenir shop and again we were met with an array of varying gifts. The Foodhall likewise, was very well stocked and the Shortbread shop offered many styles of shortbread. We were lucky with the weather as it was sunny. We spent a very pleasant couple of hours on site.

I only came to know this place while returning from Edinburgh. It is one of Scotland’s most famous and romantic destinations, renowned for its rich history of runaway weddings. Located just across the English border, it became legendary in the 18th century when young couples, often under the age of 18; fled here to marry freely. Under Scottish law, they could wed without parental consent, and the English authorities had no power to stop them. The village’s famous Blacksmith’s Shop, where these marriages were performed over the anvil, remains a symbol of love, freedom, and timeless romance- making Gretna Green a must-visit for history and heart alike.

Beautiful place is derwent water i came here for a wild camp with my dog and had a great time. I did repair a couple of firepits someone had left. Have some respect for our beautiful outdoor space.

Beautiful place this with lots to do and enjoy clean fresh air. We walked around the Lake and it is a splendid area to stroll around.

We walked around the lake and it took roughly 7 hours. To be able to take your time and really enjoy the scenic points, I'd recommend 9 hours. You could get a boat across if you have people with you who aren't able to do the whole walk. The views around the lake are incredibly beautiful and worth taking some time to explore or relax.

Derwent Water : A Lakeside Escape from Keswick. 📍Lake District 🌊 Just outside the town of Keswick, Derwent water offers a scenic lakeside trail along the waymarked Derwent water Walk, this trail is surrounded by parks, mountains and breathtaking scenery. Families love gathering by the shore to feed the ducks, feed available for just 50p. Book a scenic boat trip (boat hire) at the Keswick Launch ticket office. 🍦 Treat yourself at nearby ice cream parlours and restaurants dotted along the route. Start your walk through Crow Park and Hope Park, then follow the trail to Friars Crag, one of the Lake District’s most breathtaking viewpoints. Don’t miss the bench overlooking the lake, a perfect photo spot with panoramic views. 🚙paid parking available nearby

Would have loved to be in a canoe today, water was so still and peaceful... lots of wildlife to see also .Wow !

Stunning!! Absolutely stunning! Visited late November. The leaves were off the trees so the views were spectacular! It's an easy 9.5 mile walk round. Clear paths. Very little climb and no styles. Short walks on roads. We went on a Wednesday, the weather was bright but cold. Lovely and quiet although I can imagine it gets very busy on weekends and holidays . Kettle well car park is National Trust so it is free to park for members. Lovely coffee van about a mile from St Mary's hotel.

Went a walk around derwentwater at the weekend.. It says 10 miles ,but my watch said nearer 14 miles .. Great views of the water and mountains.. It's all on the flat, so an easy walk ,.. There are plenty of places to grab a cuppa and cake on route ..

A brilliant hike within walking distance from Keswick. As a ‘larger’ man, hill walking and hiking are not my speciality but Catbells provided a good mix of inclines which allow for plenty of rests if needed. The views of Derwentwater are great and the different routes to the summit provide choices for hikers.

Very recommend this hike if in Keswick. At one point seemed a but steep climb , but keep going , the views will not disappoint. Took me 1.5 hours to complete

A must-do, and perfect for families! The views are absolutely stunning — and the promise of ice cream at the end kept my kids motivated all the way. It can get busy, but everyone we met was friendly and respectful. The loop is about 3.5–3.7 miles with around 1,200 feet of elevation gain. It’s demanding but absolutely doable with a steady pace. Just be sure to bring plenty of water!

Elite, tier 1, lingering loveliness. Catbells is a stunning wee hike. Don’t front on it. Mix it up with a lakeside amble followed by a pint or three at the Swinside Inn makes for one almighty afternoon

Great views. Walked and returned from Keswick with Sid the Border Terrier. Little bit of easy scrambling. Descended via old quarry and along Newlands Valley.

If you're not very fit it's hard work but worth it for the breathtaking views. You need to take water and wear proper footwear. It's not as long a walk as it seems but it is a steep incline. I went on a Sunday when it was 20°c and it was very busy. Parking was very easy and £5 for the day, but it was on a field (bear this in mind if you're in a 2 wheel drive car in bad weather!). Easy walk down to Derwent water for a picnic, walk, or a swim if you're brave enough.

It was our first family hike. You need to be at certain level of fitness to do it. It is family friendly but at times it can be dangerous. I would highly recommend to have hiking sticks. It helps massively. Especially towards the end. At slow pace you can make to the top and go down in 3 hours

The road to the castle is a disaster! The gift shop and castle are worthy the visit. Staff very friendly and welcoming. We didn't go into the castle but I did take the dog around the moat as suggested by a staff member. I took lots of pictures. Beautiful views, the only thing that was a slight inconvenience is i didn't wear the right footwear! It's was a little wet around the back of the castle and my feet got soaked. Obviously this is my fault and no fault of the castle grounds. I was wearing trainers, I'd recommend boots or Wellingtons. Beautiful place though.

Absolutely loved this place. Soo unique in design. We visit lots of castles up and down the country and this is one of the most memorable. Beautiful surroundings, loads of history and some very knowledgeable, friendly staff. We will revisit, next time we pass through. Highly recommended

Our favorite castle of the 10 we visited on our 2 week roadtrip. Loved the kind staff and how you feel like you have the place to yourself to explore. It really feels like a fairytale with a moat and original site you can walk to nearby. So pictaresque and worth the drive.

Fabulous little castle, really interesting place with loads of history. Only a short journey from Dumfries. We didn't have to book ahead of time and were able to park easily. They also have a great little shop and small cafe. Lots of places to have a picnic and the area is great for dogs, with some nice paths and walks

Great place to visit, some restoration work being carried out, at present.Good car parking area, gift shop and video area to educate you on the history of the site. You do a small walk to the original castle site. Well worth a visit. Some areas of the castle are not accessible by wheel chair, for obvious reasons.

My favorite Castle of my first 9 days in Scotland. This one has a moat, like a true castle should. The draw bridge was destroyed centuries ago, along with part of the roof, and sections of it have been exposed to the elements for some time. There are sections repaired allowing access to the multiple levels where there is a roof protection that section. The prison was in good condition too. Crazy to know the prisoners were just tossed from 2 stories into the pit. Don’t bother checking out the original castle a short walk away, as it is flattened, and the perimeter blocks are all left near foundation level. Check out my photos.

Very interesting Castle/s. Parts were closed off but there was enough to have a wander around (albeit it's not particularly large for a castle. The staff in the shop/visitor centre were helpful and friendly. Worth a visit if you like castles/historic buildings.

This is the home of one of my ancestors, so I was thrilled to be able to walk the grounds! The castle is very large. There are plenty of parking spaces, also an area to park and have lunch. Visitors were having a great time riding bikes while I was there. Dog friendly and sheep for as far as the eyes can see! Visiting the grounds was free and well worth the time as there are several trees on site that are very old and beautiful. Recommend a visit!

Beautiful castle and surrounding scenery. Booked a tour in advance- well worth doing and very interesting. There is a Rembrandt painting that can be viewed as part of the tour- a nice bonus! Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. The gardens are beautiful and well maintained. We had lunch in the Castle Cafe afterwards which was tasty with generous portions. Lovely gift shop with a great selection.

Amazing place to visit with dogs that are happier off lead. Went twice in a week we loved it that much. Great walking routes, did multiple of them. Only paid for parking @ £2.50 for the whole day which is a steal. Cafe was lovely and reasonably priced. Would highly recommend.

Drumlanrig castle and grounds are beyond anything we have been to before, the pink castle is stunning packed full of history amazing paintings and furniture. To be able to get so close to the Rembrandt was a real honour and a highlight of the tour. Gary the tour guide was brilliant really helping us understand the history easily he is very knowledgeable. The grounds are perfectly manicured it’s a real credit to all the staff who maintain the castle and grounds, the castle is still used and lived in by the duke and family he was there on our visit. Make sure to book the castle tour in advance as they fill up quickly

Beautiful grounds and an interesting looking building from the outside. Quite annoyed that the guy who took our money told us we could look round the castle as much as we liked, only to find out he meant from the outside. Seemed expensive without access to the castle.

What a fantastic day out . Loads to see and do. We did the castle tour and it was really interesting Gary the tour guide was fantastic . I would highly recommend taking a visit. The gardens are beautiful .

A full day out. Kids will love the play park and space. Adults will love the garden grounds and castle. It has something for everyone and the gardens are incredible.

What a lovely relaxing garden! We were able to get in with our English NT membership. It is quite easy to find. Threave Garden is a little hilly, but not too much of a challenge and plenty of seats. Some spectacular trees and amazing flower borders too. Clearly a lot of love has gone into the place. I wish we had the energy to visit the nature reserve...maybe next time! The cafe had a lot of choice and was very clean. The staff were very friendly. There was an amazing view from the terrace, over the gardens and beyond.

Visited Threave Garden with my family , including 3 dogs. The car park was full on arrival at around 1130am but on speaking with staff we were advised to park on the grass verges on the approach road. We all ate at the restaurant and took advantage of the outside seating area, although dogs were allowed inside too. There were plenty of tables. There was a fair selection of foods available and vegan options too. Really reasonably priced also. The gardens were beautiful and very well maintained. Plenty of variety and lots of areas to walk around. Also we were able to get free entry with our English National Trust cards.

Great place to visit, easy walking and very peaceful with some lovely seating despite the number of visitors on the day. Good value and a very pleasant few hours in the many different themed areas of the gardens. The tea room and plant nursery areas were also very pleasant, we would certainly return.

Fantastic garden, well maintained by the garden team and trainees. Lots to see, a full day's visit even if the house is shut on your visit (we went on a Friday in mid-July). Scones were superb, one of the best had in Dumfries and Galloway.

Great spot for a wander, or to look at wildlife. Year round interest in gardens, which are approximately 60 acres. Sensible shoes required if you want to walk the woodland trails. The Walled Garden is very impressive, with fresh fruit and veg to buy!

Must visit if nearby, worth the drive! Will be retuning several times for sure. Definitely get a map at the front desk, this place is huge! Cafe is great, coffee was good and the cakes were fab! Walled garden and the garden of contemplation are worth a visit. The bridge and water feature across from the walled garden is gorgeous and so serene. Even on a rainy day, this place is beautiful. Staff were fab, especially Tracy! Gift shop is good too, lots of choice and not too pricey!

Nice gardens (although we visited quite late in the season to see it at its best), with woodland walk and a nice cafe with friendly staff. Dog friendly too (on lead).

Went for a day out with a friend. We were lucky with the weather it was sunny and hot and we spent a few hours just walking around the estate exploring. Plenty of space to explore and some lovely trails. The walled gardens was beautiful and very well maintained. Large outdoor playpark for the kids too. On site cafe was great, very good value for money and the food was lovely and freshly made. We had baked potatoes, strawberry tarts, a coffee and a cold drink each and spent £33. Seating indoors and outdoors. There are bookable tours of the house itself available although I think you have to book in advance. A beautiful place that you could easily spend a whole day exploring.

Beautiful garden and grounds. The cafe is really nice, good food (tomato and roasted peppers soup was simply amazing!) Coffee is exceptional. Highly recommend.

Lovely place to spend the day walking around and chilling out. I was quite surprised how big the gardens are, lots of places to sit and enjoy especially on a sunny day, There's a fantastic children's adventure playground in amongst the trees to keep the little angles happy, Gorgeous little cafe, Lovely staff, Food was very nice, Good coffee. Will definitely go again when l'm in the area.

Lovely Family Day Out at Dumfries Estate We had a fantastic day at Dumfries Estate with the family! Beautiful gardens, scenic walks, and a great adventure playground for the kids. The house tour was really interesting, and the café had tasty food. A perfect mix of nature, history, and relaxation — highly recommended

Fabulous place. If you love history. If you love Georgian design. If you love amazing food. If you love incredible walks. Just fabulous!

Visited the café, shop, Arboretum and walled garden. The weather was good which made a great difference. The grounds are beautifully laid out with a rich variety of trees, shrubs and plants. Produce used in the restaurant, café and cookery school on site too.

Visiting Dumfries House Gardens was an absolute delight. The entire space feels serene and perfectly laid out, with a beautiful flow that invites you to wander and explore at your own pace. The walled garden's gorgeous beds had a plethora of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees, from roses and clematis to gladioli and apples. It was nearly overwhelming. The fruit and vegetable gardens are not only productive but a feast for the eyes, bursting with colour and life. Every corner reveals something new – from vibrant, carefully tended flower beds to stretches of stunning woodland that feel both peaceful and full of character. One of my favourite spots was the picturesque pond areas, where the water reflected the surrounding greenery and created a sense of calm. Everywhere you turn, there’s another hidden gem to admire, making it easy to spend hours soaking in the sights. Dumfries House Gardens is a place where nature, beauty, and thoughtful design come together perfectly – a must-visit for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Beautiful place for a day out with kids, not so far from glasgow, they have huge parking, very different kinda of kids play and entertainment like bouncy castles, toy train rides, boat ride, mini tractors , bike ride , big slides, zip lines etc. Also animals like llama, deer, kangaroo are the main attractions. Although it has the fee around 17 pounds, but worth it. Point to be noted that, many of the rides like train , boat, truck etc are not free or included in entry fee, need to pay separately.

Arrived only expecting to spend half a day. We ended up staying until close. Amazing farm with plenty to do for children and adults whether it was going on the amount of playgrounds they have to offer, or driving quad bikes and riding on the miniature railway. Plenty of spaces to sit down and have your packed lunch if you've brought some with you.

Fantastic family day out, came here with our 6 year old who had so much fun! There is so much included in the ticket price and then a few extra which are super affordable such as the train ride and quad bikes. The staff were super friendly and you could tell that they cared about the animals and the people visiting, the site was clean and well kept. Would highly recommend to anyone as it was a great day out!

This is a lovely farm park and a definite must visit! Well worth the money with loads of different animals as well as parks, tractors, mini train, and other fun activities like a mini tobogganing, zip line and trampolins! As well as a decent soft play which is out of sight so won't distract children from the animals. Make sure you grab a bag of animal feed!! Only one issue I have as a horsefield tortoise owner if anyone from the park see's this... he shouldn't be housed with another species as they will fight especially if either or both are males as they are more aggressive. I understand he's probably a rescue and you're probably aware of his underbite, hopefully this is something you are working on solving as this can cause problems eating. Just some small upgrades would massive improve his health and lifestyle, including a slate plate instead of plastic one to support keeping his beak trimmed, top soil as a substitute as they dig to regulate their body temperature, safe weeds and flowers are much more nutritious and you have plenty of land to beable to grow your own. My horsefield (Fluffy) loves pansy's! I honestly had a wonderful visit with my family during our holiday, and if we ever holiday again in the area we will definitely return.

Absolutely love this place for a day out. Go for opening so you can get the most of the day. Entry is expensive. I think we where around £60 for 2 adults and 2 children. It is well worth it though. There are so many animals to see and you can buy feed for £2 a bag. The goats are my favourite but there are so many cuties (including alpacas which are actually at a field at the end of the car park outside so if you haven't used your animal food at closing you can go up and feed them when you leave). There are multiple different play parks for kids as well as a softplay area indoors and a shooting game thing. We always pack a lunch so we don't need to stop to go in to eat and usually eat on the wee benches next to the big slides and bouncy things. There are go karts too although we've never been on them since kids are too wee right now.

A fantastic day out for the whole family! Hand feed animals, and there's plenty of them! Cheaper to book in advance online. I would recommend going as close to opening as possible as the afternoon got really busy. Not just animals there's plenty of activities for the kids like trampolines and adventure playgrounds

Had a great day despite rain forecast all-day . My 2 boys aged 12 and 15 loved the adult quads and went on twice. They enjoyed feeding the animals and the activities onsite. Went spent 3-4hr onsite even in the rain. But if my children was younger we could have spent a lot longer. We have visited before. The staff was helpful and friendly however the lady at the front desk didn't appear very happy & wasn't so welcoming. We bought ice cream but didn't like the mint choc chip but the waffle cones were good. Site was quiet but prob due to poor weather. Animals seemed well cared for and they had clean areas.

Beautiful, even though the castle is a bit on the excessive side is is worth seeing once. The fact the guy built a distressed vanity arch at the front because he liked the look tells you that. But the grounds are beautiful and you can bring your dog. 640 acres to explore and some truly stunning views

Culzean Castle was beyond exceptional! The grounds are massive and magical, and the castle itself is stunning. I absolutely loved the orangery and learning about its history, and honestly, a whole day wasn’t enough to take it all in – I can’t wait to go back. We had a wonderful guide but also enjoyed exploring the castle at our own pace. The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, sharing fascinating historical stories that made the visit even richer. The gift shop is a must-visit, with lovely local products that help support the castle’s preservation. It’s also perfect for relaxing – you can sunbathe, take in the scenery. B sure to also enjoy the views of the ocean. Highly recommend for a day trip or excursion; it’s truly a magical experience

Interesting place. Very grand and lots of historic artefacts as you walk around the one way system. Lego hunt was live while we visited which was a great little extra for the kids! There is also a massive playpark in the estate which is probably the best playpark I've ever seen seen! If I went to this when I was a kid I know I'd have absolutely loved this!

Here is a beautiful castle right on a cliff overlooking the sea. A must to visit this huge estate that was once a private home and to see how the wealthy once lived there. It’s fully restored with lots of extravagantly furnished rooms. There is a huge collection of pistols and weapons to see, a fine display on the walls. It has a walled garden, a large grass garden and forest around it with many trails to walk and to enjoy the sea views. The staff were very good and eager to answer my questions. There are places to stay on the estate and they also host weddings and corporate event events and private parties. It’s a busy place. Of course there is a coffee and gift shop and there was lots of parking, but it does get very busy with tourists.

Beautiful grounds, gardens and beaches to walk around . The castle is very well maintained, with regular tours and knowledgeable staff on hand. I can easily spend a couple of hours here exploring. And the deer! They are beautiful 🥰

Beautiful castle right on the ocean with massive gardens. Arrive early to have plenty of time to see the whole site. Take your entry ticket WITH you to the main castle so you don’t have to return to your car for proof of purchase of castle access.

Love bringing the family here! Our little boy loves hunting out all the rock pools at the beach. The food at the various cafe’s are all really nice. The outdoor play park is also amazing! There is so much to do here - something for everyone!

Really nice place well worth a visit some excellent and interesting botanical specemins, and very well maintained. It's good st see young plants coming on as well as the established old ones.The entry fee was very reasonable, as was the tea room. The labeling of plants could have been better for the horticulturally curious. I think they're missing a trick not selling many of the interesting plants you see in the garden in the garden centre. I'd have loved a snow gum or southern beech.

I wish this was closer to home, we happened to visit in particularly good weather that will only have worked in their favour, but the gardens are stunning and very well kept. All of the staff that we ran into (either on the grounds or in their shop) have been very friendly and helpful. It's worth noting that they don't allow dogs in the garden (although they allow you to enter and exit as you please) so any dogs would need to stay with the car, there are parts of the carpark with shade. Mobility around the gardens is pretty accessible though there are a few places with steps that, if avoided, mean you'd miss out a whole section of the gardens. In short, it's well worth a visit only dogs and wheels may be an issue

What a beautiful and fascinating place this is. Positioned on the gulf stream, it is full of unusual plantings, including gigantic gunneras and forests of tree ferns. We visited in mid July, when admittedly, the weather was incredible, but did not see one plant that looked sorry for itself. You always see plants past their best in gardens, but not here. The ground staff are all friendly and approachable, with a wealth of knowledge. Being part of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, Logan holds collections of many unusual plants. The cafe has some great food and cakes, and the staff all smile (imagine that)!! I would definitely recommend a visit.

Allow yourself an absolute minimum of two hours, but do stay longer. Beautiful gardens all set in fabulous Dumfries and Galloway. There are wheelchair/scooter friendly routes ( always check in advance ) Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Fantastic garden with amazing colours and variety within a peaceful setting and well designed style. Friendly cafe staff with plentiful seating and tasty produce. Picnic tables are a fair walk from the car park it should be noted. Represented good value for money for the £16.80 entrance fee we paid for 3 tickets (with BBC GW pass), though am quite sure we would not have paid the full £27 otherwise.

Cozy, easy, meandering walk through mature, diverse, gardens and greenhouses. Well-situated restaurant with windows overlooking the gardens serving a full lunch menu. Lovely helpful ladies in the gift shop. Definitely worth visiting. The drive along the Rhinns of Galloway coastline is as much a treat as the destination!

Seriously lovely place to visit. The gardens are spectacular and we did see the red squirrel! The staff in the garden cafe were absolutely lovely as well. Thoroughly recommend it.

Over 800 acres! The castle has a grand view point from many angles. Great little shop, decent restrooms, sounds playing on speakers in different areas make it really feel authentic! There is also a used bookshop, which is so interesting and cute. We didn't get to try the café, but it looked like it had a good selection of snacks. The courtyard in the middle would've been a wonderful place to enjoy a coffee and a snack from the café.

Castle Ward offers a fascinating look at the opulent lifestyle of Ireland’s upper class over the past few centuries. While the beautifully preserved upstairs rooms give a strong sense of grandeur, I found myself wishing we could also explore the downstairs quarters, where the servants and working staff once lived and labored. Unfortunately, that part of the estate is currently closed to visitors. The true highlight of the visit was the volunteers. Warm, knowledgeable, and passionate, they bring the history of Castle Ward to life—and often without the recognition they deserve. If you visit, take a moment to thank them. They do this out of genuine love for the place, and it shows.

Castle Ward is a fabulous day out for the family. In addition to the house tour with its splendid architecture and story, the grounds and walks are lovely. Enjoy the stable square for coffee and bites to eat.

Lovely National Trust location. A hidden gem. Great walks and a dog friendly cafe serving indoors and outdoors in a well sheltered stable yard.

Lovely walk around the grounds have been many times and will return time and time again. The place has my heart!

We had a lovely 3hrs at Castle Ward. You enter the estate via the pretty sunken garden which is well worth a walk around. The house is not open in October on Tuesdays and in December closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. But check the website. Walking around the house is by tour only and the tour guide (Billy?) was excellent. Look for the very different styles of the front and back sections of the castle. The castle has stunning interiors that are looked after very well. The laundry is well worth a visit especially if you remember your mother or grandmother using the flat irons and the mangle. Plenty of marked walks and cycle tracks around the estate. I noticed bikes put out in the courtyard by staff which I guess are for hire, but check first. The trails are from 2km to 13kms and walkers and bikers are asked to walk in an anti clockwise direction. We enjoyed the Farm Trail 4km circular walk taking in the shoreline and the filming location for the Battle of Oxcross in Game of Thrones. The cafe and shop offer a good selection and we bought several books from the secondhand bookshop at very reasonable prices. In all a beautiful day at a lovely location with friendly staff.

Castle Ward is a great National Trust property by Strangford Lough. The grounds weave around the Lough edge, the house is very unique with it's two very different facades. Well worth popping into the house, walking around the stable courtyard and then visiting the Game of Thrones filming location by the waters edge.

Lots of new reclamation going on here so that every time you visit there is something new. Recommend and the rose garden just past the lake or the squirrel hide where you can get a chance to see red squirrels in their natural habitat

We loved our visit! We took the bus from Laganside which was very easy (though the direct bus is not very frequent so you need to plan ahead). Entrance was free for Open Days and there were a good number of visitors but it was not crowded. The house is lovely with lots of unique items to look at, including art, a gorgeous dress, funny dishes, and unique furniture. I really like that you got to see a lot of rooms and walk around quite freely, we spent about 2 hours exploring inside. All of the staff were super knowledgeable and friendly. The gardens are really pretty which interesting plants and statues (including dodo birds). The cafe has some good pastries like cake and scones. The grounds except for the formal gardens are dog friendly so we plan to come back with our dog. It was also very child friendly, with good baby changing stations. There is a gift shop and a second hand bookshop.

Free for national trust members. You can spend a short time or all day, so many different walks you can do and dog friendly. There is also a cafe on site and a large car park which is useful in motorhome. An enclosed dog field so the dogs can have an off lead run

A top quality residence, open to the public with enough guides to give details on the displays and architecture. This is the place to visit if you need inspiration to make a billion, as that's what it would cost to reproduce this magnificent achievement, not even Musk nor Gates could afford to build a home half the quality of this palace. That it costs a few pounds to enter is something most don't fully appreciate or it would be crowded daily. The lifestyle of previous owners is hard to grasp when compared to today's well-to-do who are proud of a hundred meter square apartment with three meter high ceilings and noise of neighbours disturbing them night and day in a choking city where you can be robbed at any corner. The gardens were magnificent years ago but have been abandoned in parts recently since the revenues barely pay for even the heating bills, let alone professional gardeners. The voluntary assistants do not have the resources to keep this treasure up to the standards of the past but for the less critical viewers it is still a delight to wander through the maze of tall trees and monuments brought here by owners who could afford hundreds of labourers working round the clock to achieve a display of grandure rarely seen even on mainland Europe. Visit now before Elon realises what he is missing, he won't want every Tom, Dick and Harry trending on the lawns if he gets time to relax and enjoy life for once in his life!

Simply majestic Great for dogs and family fun. Wi-Fi, and coffee shop are top notch

So beautiful place. Worth to visit. Workers very nice and helpful, they explained us everything very clear with big small. I truly recommend this place. Car park free, nice gift shop and very tasty coffee.

Enjoyed an amazing afternoon in this wonderful house. The house is beautiful, warm and inviting. The staff in reception, the house and all the guides are absolutely lovely. So friendly and knowledgeable about the house and the family. They all genuinely love the house and it shows in how truly lovely they are to visitors. Would highly recommend a visit. Thank you.

I want to thank the staff for being so nice and accommodating, especially Robert and our guide Roberta. We took a wrong turn on the way and ended up a bit late, but they let us go with another group, which was very kind of them. The walk itself is stunning and we were lucky enough to see puffins on the day! 100% recommend it!

Just fabulous. Fab tour - Phil, our tour guide was very informative about the history of the area and the cliffs, not to mention hilarious! It's a good walk, some areas tougher than others - you need to think twice if you have any mobility or cardiovascular problems. We were blessed enough to see some puffins! Sometimes if you're lucky you will see dolphins or seals - we sadly, we're not. The views are beautiful, some days you can see as far as Scotland apparently! I highly recommend this trip!

My favourite experience in all of Ireland during our 3 months here. Exhilarating (but safe) at high tide on a rough day. Wonderful to be over the ocean. Jill was a very good and informative guide. Visitor centre and gift shop were good. Highly recommend The Gobbins.

We saw a Puffin! Fascinating bird. Enjoyed the guides explainations of the extensive history. Strenuous hike. Well worth the effort. The rental boots are plenty nice. They require ankle support footwear to take the tour.

A great experience with beautiful scenery. This is a guided group tour walk and needs to be prebooked. It starts at Visitor Centre and the guide takes you to the start of walk spot in a mini bus. The helmets (provided) are required and boots are checked. The Viewing Point can be accessed independently. Best photo op if you are at the back of your tour group as you use the waiting time for photos. The walk is not a loop and you need to pass the other groups on the way there and back. The tunnel passage is dark and through a slightly wet path. We went on a beautiful warm sunny day and really enjoyed the walk.

What an experience!! Enjoyed the walking tour with our gang of girls and enjoyed every minute - well perhaps not the stagger up the steep slope at end?! The beauty, history and ruggedness all combined with being so close to healthy clean nature made this an amazing tour. Our guide was brilliant - friendly and so knowledgeable. After a good physical stretch, we gladly enjoyed a splendid lunch and hot drinks at the visitor centres cafe. Great day out!

I visited the path on the 25th of August. It was an amazing and unique experience. The walk is easy and the scenery is breathtaking, the guide provides interesting explanations and insight. I felt safe for the whole path. But I really want to praise and thank also the staff of the visitor centre, a lovely lady didn't hesitate to help us out when we lost our train back. Thank you so much, you saved the day!