Location: Dumfries
Top Things to do in Dumfries
10 Things to do in Dumfries That You Shouldn't Miss
Dumfries (/dʌmˈfriːs/ ( listen) dum-FREESS; possibly from Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phris) is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland, United Kingdom. It is located near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries is the traditional county town of the historic county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South. People from Dumfries are known colloquially as Doonhamers.
Restaurants in Dumfries
1. Robert Burns House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
The home in which national poet Robert Burns spent his last years.
Reviewed By leburgaud
Called in at Dumfries on the way back home from Edinburgh. Nice walk around the town and saw various attarctions linked with Robert Burns
2. Caerlaverock Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 998 reviews
Caerlaverock Castle is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. With its moat, twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements, this awe-inspiring castle is the epitome of the medieval stronghold and one of the finest castles in Scotland. Although ruined, Caerlaverock is still a substantial structure and you can explore many different features within its unique triangular ground plan. The castle's turbulent history owes much to its proximity to England which brought it into the brutal cross-border conflicts and you can enjoy a fascinating siege warfare exhibition complete with reconstructions of medieval siege engines.
Reviewed By Quirky-Bird-Gardener - Biggar, United Kingdom
We combined visiting the castle with Ruthwell Cross making it a great day out and worth the hour and half drive. The castle though fairly small is fascinating to explore with its triangular shape and interesting facades. Being in a moat adds to it's uniqueness. We walked around the castle to the site of the original castle and back to the cafe for lunch. This was the low point of the visit sadly. Its very unusual to have a disappointing lunch where ever we visit. We ordered soup and a sandwich, the soup was lovely but the sandwich was 2 slices of cheap white bread with a sliver of ham and a dollop of mustard, no salad, crisps or anything as is the case in most places these days. It was a very poor excuse for a sandwich. Service was very very slow despite it not being that busy. I wish we'd gone elsewhere for lunch or brought a picnic but as it's out only day off in the week we like to treat ourselves to lunch.
3. Drumlanrig Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 662 reviews
Set on the spectacular 80,000 acre Queensberry Estate complete with Country Park and Victorian Gardens, Drumlanrig Castle presents one of the finest examples of late 17th century Renaissance architecture in Scotland and an internationally renowned art collection. Beyond the castle are over 40 acres of enchanting gardens and a wide range of activities including walking, mountain biking, adventure playground, wildlife watching, Scottish Cycle Museum, Landrover tours, Ranger-led walks, events programme as well as shopping and catering.
Reviewed By 919tracyj - Fakenham, United Kingdom
Lovely visit to this amazing castle, although castle is closed at the moment because of Covid, the gardens are well worth a visit, also can highly recommend the walks around the castle great place to explore.
4. Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By Craigmil1ar - Glasgow, United Kingdom
I could happily have come back several times to get around to seeing everything in this fantastic, free, museum! We had a very warm welcome, and spent a delightful few hours exploring. Everything from prehistoric to Romans, to Vikings, to victorian mill works. Wondrous artifacts and a fantastic array of historical everyday items. Don't forget to try on the dinosaur costumes or take a crayon rubbing of a fossil!
5. WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By KScow
Variety of walks, hides and animals to see. Great way to spend a sunny September half day. Ample parking, safe and small shop selling gifts.
6. Mabie Farm Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 546 reviews
Family fun farm park with lots to do for old and young. The whole family can spend hours from feeding the animals, bouncing on the jumping pillows, slides,play barn,straw barn, boating pond,donkey rides,our choochoo express,quad biking and lots of fresh air out in our park area. We have a tearoom for lunch and gift/toy shop to keep the kids happy.
Reviewed By TheFireyOne - Glasgow, United Kingdom
What an amazing find! We were down in Southerness for a long weekend and thought we would pop into “this wee farm park” for an hour or 2 to pass the time with the kids.....6 hours later and we were the last to leave at closing time! Amazingly spacious, we had no covid worries whatsoever. The animals are adorable and friendly, the indoor barn rope swing brilliant (loved that my 5 year old could play in that section, while my 10 month old could play in the adjoining tots area.....not often they can both be entertained at the same time!). The bouncy pillows were great fun (again the 5 yo was on the larger one, the 10 mo on the smaller). Because of the layout I could let the 5yo play on the big slides while I sat in the sand pit with the 10mo (again I cannot stress how rare it is to keep both my little womb gremlins happy at the same time) the peddle boats were lovely and chilled, but the winner at the end of the day was the train ride! I enjoyed it as much as the kids. The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful, going above and beyond (ie the man running the toboggan slide who dragged the sledge up the hill because my spoiled daughter couldn’t be bothered doing it herself). I can’t believe how affordable it is and how much you get for your money. I never usually post gushing reviews but I’m totally fan girl-ing over Mabie Farm and promised 5yo that I would bring her and friends down for a day trip.....it’s worth the 2 hour drive.
7. Morton Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Rossergruffydd - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Yes that is a road and it does lead to the castle! A muddy and small car park however it's quiet as the site is hard to find and has no facilities or charges. Castle Morton has a nature trail and a few information boards that are very helpful. The castle is quite substantial and is well preserved with a basic entrance and wonderful views of the large lake that surrounds it. Plenty of wildlife and great elevated views of the historic landscape.
8. Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
The board of the museum have decided, as a precaution, to close our museum to visitors with immediate effect, due to the coronavirus. All planned events will be rescheduled once the crisis is over. This action is in line with many other organisations with the aim of helping to delay the spread of the virus and most importantly to help protect our visitors and volunteers. The current closure is for an indefinite period as it is unclear as to the timescale over which the current pandemic will run.
Reviewed By T8442FRwilliamp - Dumfries, United Kingdom
We visit often with our young family and feel at home in this museum with a great team of people. Well worth the visit and highly recommended
9. Dino Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 453 reviews
Southern Scotland's best dinosaur experience is open. Step back 150 million years and discover the giants who roamed the earth. Take a trip through the Dino Mine, hear stories and facts in the Dino Den, dig for fossils, have fun on our bouncy dinosaur and much more! A great day out for all the family! We are open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm from 28th March to 1st November 2015.
Reviewed By 538lornab - Dumfries and Galloway, United Kingdom
We love bringing our grand children here, they have a ball and the food and staff are excellent, the outside Dino park is great for child Dino enthusiasts, the garden centre is an array of delights from plants shrubs to kitchen ware clothing kids toys and another more grownup cafe to go to when the kids aren't along with you
10. The Garden of Cosmic Speculation
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 83 reviews
Private Garden in Dumfries and Galloway Only open one day a year To book tickets for this year's open day please visit scotlandsgardens.org/portrack-the-garden-of-cosmic-speculation/
