Location: East Ayrshire
Top Things to do in East Ayrshire
What to do and see in East Ayrshire, Scotland: The Best Things to do
East Ayrshire (Scots: Aest Ayrshire, Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Àir an Ear) is one of thirty-two council areas of Scotland. It shares borders with Dumfries and Galloway, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. The headquarters of the council are located on London Road, Kilmarnock. With South Ayrshire and the mainland areas of North Ayrshire, it formed the former county of Ayrshire.
Restaurants in East Ayrshire
1. New Cumnock Community Open-Air Swimming Pool
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 60 reviews
N C Swimming pool is the heart of our community located on the main road in our village its safe for all bathers we have changing rooms and showers and our pool is always kept at a temperture of 30 degrees so its warm come rain or shine we also have a pool side cafe where you can get snacks and drinks great family day out and everyone is welcome help and advice is always on hand
Reviewed By Barntonburly - Kilwinning, United Kingdom
Came with the family for a few hours during the summer holidays. The pool itself and surrounding area were clean and tidy, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. It was slightly busy due to is being the school holidays however there was still room to swim. With the heated pool and the sun that day it did almost feel like being in a hotel pool overseas. The poolside changing huts were convenient and drier than the larger changing rooms. Certainly worth going to experience it, I would imagine the nighttime sessions would be great.
2. Blackstone Clydesdales & Dig-a-Day Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 372 reviews
FUN TIME. Ride our Clydesdale Horses or Jump on a BIG yellow Digger for some operating fun. There is always something to do on the farm enjoy interacting with our Clydesdale Horses, Heilan Coos, Alpacas and Mischievous Donkeys while meeting all the farm animals giving you an insight into their lives. The experience is tailored to suit you. Try your hand at riding or driving our Clydesdale Heavy Horses, grooming, mucking out, tacking up, bareback riding, herding on horseback, walking and feeding all the animals. This is a very individual experience and will vary depending on you requirements and weather.NO EXPERIANCE REQUIRED.WHY NOT try Something Different - the 'BIG TOY' experience at DIG-a-day. Operate a mini to 14Ton digger or big yellow JCB Tractor, putting your coordination skills to the test in challenges set. OR MIX IT UP - Combining DIG-a-Day and Blackstone Clydesdales in one experience.Great for all the family for children and adults alike. NO DRIVING LICENCE REQUIRED.
Reviewed By G4725DTandrewh - Exeter, United Kingdom
We had an utterly fantastic experience riding these wonderful horses on Ayr beach, helped by a beautifully sunny day. John and his team were brilliant - ensuring we were safe, but enabling us to have a thrilling 2-hour ride. I would definitely recommend.
3. Dean Castle and Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 497 reviews
Dean Castle Country Park is an excellent free day out for all the family. The Country Park boasts a 14th century castle and beautiful woodland walks. The Country Park has completed a project to upgrade its Rural Life Centre, play park and Visitor Centre. The Castle is now closed for restoration and works will begin in June 2018. From June 2018, you will be able to see the museum collections normally on display in Castle at the Dick Institute, Elmbank St, Kilmarnock. Join us for different holiday activities with the Ranger Service over Easter and summer.
Reviewed By andreanchris - Scotland, United Kingdom
Visited today for a stroll through the park, we feel it is very well kept and spotless. Visited the animal centre and loved it! Glorious sunny day and will revisit again, we don't visit enough and its so close to us too. Give it a try you won't be disappointed, enough space so didn't feel crowded, lots of dog walkers which was lovely to see, with the way the world is this was a little piece of normality.
4. Dumfries House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 864 reviews
Reviewed By Kirkcaldylad - North Lanarkshire, United Kingdom
We have been visiting Dumfries House since soon after HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, with a little help from others rescued the house, contents and estate for the nation. With each visit we are delighted to see how the restoration of the house has changed so that a tour (guided) is always newly enlightening as the guides are so informed and the restoration and development are painstaking and progressive. On this visit we thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas candlelit Festive Tour and Feast, a pleasant dinner in the library. The estate itself has also changed over our many visits . Gone are dilapidated outbuildings and muddy fields and a tumbled down walled garden. The Adam Georgian bridge is restored; a new Chinese style bridge based on early 20th century plans for such a bridge adds to the walks; the Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden is stunning. I could go on as so much has been built or restored using traditional skills by apprentices taught these skills on the estate as part of the Prince's Trust. The walks, the Arboretum and the new stone and wood buildings are an absolute pleasure on a wintry sunny day. And the Coach House Cafe is a welcoming place to relax.
5. New Cumnock Path Network
6. Burns House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By macedonboy - Glasgow, United Kingdom
This house is where Burns and his wife Jean rented while making his new farm ready for both of them to move into, The one room they rented has be refurbished to resemble something comparable to the room back in their time. There's not much to see in the room, but the thing that really makes the museum above average is the original manuscripts and objects that belonged to and associated with the couple. Another reason I'm giving this an extra star is that it's very unusual for a museum to focus so much on both Robert Burns and Jean Armour except for perhaps the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. So kudos for that.
7. Dick Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
This place is temporarily closed.
Reviewed By lorneb333 - Ayrshire, United Kingdom
Fabulous building which houses an array of historical artefacts, natural history, art, books and a cafe. A great way to spend a rainy day. Free entry - there’s a donation box for you to contribute if you can. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Went to see main gallery exhibition - check the East Ayrshire Leisure site to see what’s on and when - on loan from the V&A. Was inspired by the work on display in the Young Peoples Gallery which was show casing work from east Ayrshire school pupils. If you head upstairs there’s loads more to see - Burns, Johnny Walker, the Loom Room and (at the moment) interesting pieces of armour from the Dean Castle collection.
8. Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 220 reviews
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory occupies a fantastic hilltop site on the edge of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. This publically accessible educational observatory has some of the darkest skies in the UK and two large telescopes through which to observe the night sky. The Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park was the first Dark Sky Park in the UK and Europe, and was award a Gold-tier status by the International Dark-Sky Association. This new observatory includes a 20” Corrected Dall Kirkham telescope in a 5 metre dome and a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for a more hands-on, open air observing experience.
Reviewed By michellehT2637LM - Kilmarnock, United Kingdom
The correspondence on booking a slot was easy and friendly. After reading the other reviews I got really worried about the track leading to the observatory, as long as people realise they are in a forest, and take it slow, follow the very good directions given by the observatory, it's fine. My little mazda had no problems. It was a bit cloudy but we still got to see the moon, a planet ( venus ) and a star. We've all seen the moon, and pictures, but once you see the detail it's like your the first person to see it! David, the astronomer was full of knowledge. The woman that has been mentioned as being rude and miserable was far from it, friendly and engaging. Lots of things to look at, a real piece of moon rock, a small gift shop. Planetarium had lay back chairs, were you watch videos , then David points out what to look out for, Thoroughly enjoyable, definitely wrap up warm.
9. The Palace Theatre and Grand Hall
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By june586 - Kilmarnock, United Kingdom
Went to see the LMAS show this year and it was absolutely fantastic, great venue, and is always packed this year Steven Brown the artist was the sponsor
10. The Kay Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By jch0 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Parked my car here in the car park and went off for a half day cycle. Park was well maintained and bigger than I had imagined. Beautiful pond and fountain and wonderful memorial statue to Rabbie Burns. We took my friends dog a walk and plenty of space for lots of running and ball chasing. Nice park.
