In the months after Christmas, when the nights are long and the festive spirit is a distant memory, it’s great to have something to look forward to and a little getaway is ideal.
You don’t need to travel far or spend a lot of money to have a lovely relaxing break and in Galloway there is so much to see and do on the doorstep; regardless of the season. We’ve collated some of the best things to do in the area all year long.
Enjoy a hot tub stay at Galloway View
Whether it's a family break in Fleet View, our three bedroom cottage, or a couples/girls getaway in one of our Snug mini lodges, why not escape the every day for a little while and enjoy a break in our luxury accommodation. With privacy, beautiful surroundings, lovely decor and a warm welcome, a stay at Galloway View is ideal, whether you're here to relax and recharge, or take in all that the area has to offer. Gatehouse of Fleet is a walk away and offers a wide selection of cafes, independent shops, pubs and restaurants to enjoy. There are also plenty of stunning beaches, loads of walks, whether flat or up a big hill to enjoy a view, biking, water sports, golf, shopping and plenty of castles and historic sites to see.
With nature trails to walk, farm tours of the Ethical Dairy, cheese making and ice cream making workshops; along with a café and of course, a chance to try their amazing award winning ice creams, there’s loads to do at Cream O’ Galloway. They are open most days from 1st February – be sure to check their website to see opening times and to book workshops and tours.
The Finlay’s champion a new and more ethical method of farming on their organic dairy farm, Rainton. They allow the calves to stay with the cows instead of separating them, as is the industry standard. They make a wide selection of award winning cheese and ice creams on site, which are a must try if you visit.
There is 50% off their events as part of the Visit Scotland ‘Great Days Out’ initiative until the end of March so there’s no better time to enjoy a farm tour or a workshop.
Heralded as a gallery of national significance, Kirkcudbright Galleries are open all year round and offer a range of fascinating exhibitions from a combination of talented local artists and world renowned artists. Kirkcudbright has a rich history of art and was a hub for the Glasgow Boys and Glasgow Girls, including some of the world’s most well known artists such as Charles Oppenheimer and E.A. Hornel. The galleries offer a range of workshops and events and its well worth having a look at their website to see what events and exhibitions are coming up.
If you’re visiting the Kirkcudbright Galleries it’s well worth taking the time to pop into the Tolbooth Art Centre too. They are, like the galleries, free to enter and have a variety of exhibitions which change. Kirkcudbright has a number of fantastic galleries such as the Harbour Cottage Gallery , The Whitehouse Gallery and a number of lovely little galleries on the High Street, so why not make a day of it?
Kirroughtree is only 20 minutes from Galloway View, about a mile from Newton Stewart. If you love the outdoors, it is the ideal place to spend a day. They have a fantastic café, a range of walking and biking trails, from the gentle meandering to longer walks and technical mountain biking trails which are part of the 7 Stanes.
The café serves a great range of fresh food and hot drinks and is the ideal way to relax after a long walk through the scenic Galloway Forest. On a clear night, Kirroughtree is one a range of amazing places from which to see the Galloway Dark Sky Park. If you don’t want to hang around until night time, fear not, the hot tubs and deckings at Galloway View are another brilliant spot from which to see the sky bursting with stars on a clear night. In addition to biking and walking, you can also watch wildlife, use the play park next to the café and there is also fishing in the forest park.
Regardless of the time of year, Dumfries and Galloway really does have so much to offer. In addition to a range of fantastic attractions and businesses in the area, we are fortunate to have a great range of cafes, restaurants and pubs that are open year round.