7 Hidden Gems Things to do in Dumfries That You Shouldn't Miss

March 8, 2022 Kaleigh Reichenbach

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. Solway Tours

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5.0 based on 97 reviews

Solway Tours

We offer guided historic and ancestral tours of South West Scotland and beyond. We plan bespoke personalised tours with clients across half day, full day or multi day tours. We can also plan and prepare an Ancestral Tour where you can walk in the footsteps of your ancestors. We offer a door to door service and can collect you from any airport, train station or hotel. We will provide unforgettable experiences through our extensive knowledge and insight into the History of Scotland which will create memories and smiles that last a lifetime. Individualised tailor made tours of incredible quality!

2. Ellisland Farm

Ellisland Farm Hollywood Road, Auldgirth, Dumfries DG2 0RP Scotland +44 1387 740426 [email protected] http://www.ellislandfarm.co.uk/index.asp
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4.5 based on 79 reviews

Ellisland Farm

Ellisland Farm, the rural home of Scottish National Bard Robert Burns, which he built for himself and his family in 1788. The place which inspired him to write some of his most famous poems including Auld Lang Syne and Tam O' Shanter. Visit the room in which he wrote these works and discover more about farm life in rural Dumfriesshire in the late 18th century. Along with the historic house and displays you can also explore the farmyard, farm buildings and take a walk along the river Nith with fabulous displays of flora and wildlife.

3. Caerlaverock Castle

Dumfries DG1 4RU Scotland +44 1387 770244 [email protected] http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/caerlaverock-castle/
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4.5 based on 998 reviews

Caerlaverock Castle

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.

4. Drumlanrig Castle

Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill Thornhill, Dumfries DG3 4AQ Scotland +44 1848 331555 [email protected] http://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/
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4.5 based on 662 reviews

Drumlanrig Castle

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.

5. Old Bridge House Museum

Mill Road at the far end of Devorgillas Bridge, Dumfries Scotland +44 1387 256904 http://www.dumgal.gov.uk
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4.5 based on 81 reviews

Old Bridge House Museum

6. Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum

Heathhall Industrial Estate, Dumfries DG1 3PH Scotland +44 1387 251623 [email protected] http://www.dumfriesaviationmuseum.com/
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4.5 based on 193 reviews

Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum

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

7. Mabie Farm Park

Burnside Farm Mabie, Dumfries DG2 8EZ Scotland +44 1387 259666 [email protected] http://www.mabiefarmpark.co.uk
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4.5 based on 546 reviews

Mabie Farm Park

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.

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