OUR FAVOURITE HAUNTS
WANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME AT HENSOL?
Cycling or walking from Hensol Estate you can head towards Mossdale, heading under the old railway bridge will get you all the way up to Loch Stroan, taking in the Viaduct as you go. 4 miles from Hensol.
Loch Ken itself is popular destination for cyclinst, either direction from Hensol will take into the villages of Laurieston, Crossmichael, Parton Village, over the bridge past the Ken Bridge Hotel and into New Galloway before heading into Mossdale and back to Hensol. 24 miles round.
One mile from Hensol lies "Raiders Road", head through the village of Mossdale you will come upon an excellent gravel road on the left that is loved by all cycling enthusiasts, however also accessed by vehicles too, this takes you into the heart of the Galloway Forest which eventually takes you to the Otters Pool, a popular destination to picnic and paddle in the rock pools or take an inflatable ring to meander down the river, toilet facilities available. 7.7 miles from Hensol.
Continuing on from the Otters Pool, you will come to Clatteringshaw Dam and visitors centre, 12 miles from Hensol, which then leads on to the pretty village of New Galloway. New Galloway offers a village run shop, local cafe and a few pubs too. From main road is 6.3 miles from Hensol.
Crossmicheal Village is 10 miles round Loch Ken which has another village shop owned and ran by lovely local family and a local pub, The Thistle Inn, offering food and drinks, run by another lovely local family.
Ernespie Farm park is a new addition to Castle Douglas, owned and ran by a local farming family, great family day out. 11 miles from Hensol.
We love a drive to Gatehouse of Fleet, heading to Laurieston Village head past The Gallery at Laurieston, owned by another local family which boasts a number of local artists artwork and tea room. Heading up over Darngarroch and into Gatehouse of Fleet there are a number of attractions and visitors centers, a short distance out of Gatehouse you will find the old viaduct with some spectacular views.
For those who love to walk or cycle, Dalbettie Forest is part of the 7Stanes trails, there are green, blue and red trails with a skills park too, there is also three walking trails, Birch trail 1 mile, Plantain Loch Trail 1 3/4 miles and Quarry Trail 2 1/4 milles.
Our favorite beach locally is Cardoness Beach, to access the beach you go through Cardoness Estate, paying a small toll to get through the gate to park a short walk from the beach, there is a toilet available in the main car park. 19 mile from Hensol.
Cream of Galloway is a great visitor attraction that has an indoor and outdoor play area, this is great day out for all where they make their own ice cream onsite, ice cream making classes are available too. 18 miles from Hensol.
Castle Douglas boasts itself as the food town, here you will find a variety of restraunts from Greek, Indian, Chinese, to pub grub and one of our favorites Mr Pooks Kitchen, there are also a few takeaway outlets available too. Castle Douglas main high street has an array of shops, from clothing, to souvenirs, butchers, bakers and chocolate makers, shops to suit all ages, it also has two small supermarkets which stock most items.
There are two play parks in Castle Douglas and a small indoor public pool next to the library. 11 miles from Hensol.
Threave Garden and Estate is a wonderful National Trust property, food and gifts available once you have had a wander around the Garden, 12 miles from Hensol. A short distance away there is also Threave Castle accessed by a short walk and a small boat manned from Easter to October when the water is low, this is acessed via a newly laid path, there is a shop and faciltiies avaible accessed from the main car park. 9.9 miles from Hensol.
Galloway Faerie Trail is located at Barstobrick, it is a 1km walk which is accessible to wheel chairs and buggies, there are two longer history and wildlife trails, a horse-riding centre and coffee shop. 8.3 miles from Hensol.
On the Solway coast, Kirkcudbright is one of favourite towns locally, they have a lovely farmers market on the last Friday of the month and have a variety of food outlets, you might even see a fishing boat arrive to drop of their catch for the day. 14 miles from Hensol.
You can carry onto Dhoon beach which is a short distance from Kirkcudbright. 3 miles from Kirkcudbright. This road takes you onto the coastal route which leads to Wigtown and onto the Isle of Whithorn which boast the Isle Head Lighthouse.