Dumfries Attractions

Top Things to Do in Dumfries

Things to Do in Dumfries


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Top Attractions in Dumfries

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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What travellers are saying

  • Mags M
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A fabulous place with something for everyone, from the soft play for little people, the park area with boats, sandcastles and outdoor games for bigger children and on to the Farm Park, with a wonderful selection of farm ( and more exotic) animals to bring smiles for everyone to the spotless cafe with a delicious selection of food and drinks to choose from at very reasonable prices.
    Written 25 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anthony D
    800 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    My wife and I love visiting castles wherever we travel and we have visited many castles over the years. This is the first time that we have visited this area and so took the opportunity of visiting the castle. We arrived at the castle entrance in our motorhome and we found that there was a height restriction if you want to enter the car park and grounds - the reason being is that the castle grounds entrance archway, which is a ruin, is not overly high - you will not get a coach or large motorhome though this archway, however, we parked in a lay-bye on the approach to the castle grounds - this is not on the main road. There is a turning point to allow you to turn around if you have driven down too far. When in the external grounds of the castle you will find the visitors centre, which has a small shop and you can purchase hot drinks. The staff in the visitors centre are very friendly and informative, giving you a brief history of the castle and explaining where to go. There are toilets and there is a small children’s play park. The main visitors car park is very near to the visitors centre. To the side of the visitors centre there is a building that has a few artefacts on display and there is a video and information boards providing you with some of the history of the castle. Once you have your ticket you can walk down to the castle, Although the castle is not large compared with some others, it is still very impressive - especially as it has a moat. The entrance to the castle is still mainly intact and so you can really get a feel of what it must have been like walking through the entrance all those years ago. On walking inside the castle we were impressed by the design. The information boards that are strategically positioned around the castle keeps you informed on how the castle looked and how it was used when it was in its prime. Part of the castle was closed due to renovation work, but we were informed of this when we were purchasing our tickets at the visitors centre. The closed areas did not have a negative impact for us, although it will be good to look at these areas when they have been renovated. After looking around the castle we walked through the woods to the rear of the castle to look at the remains of the original castle. In summary, we really enjoyed visiting the castle and learning about its history. The castle is certainly unique in comparison with most other castles. We will visit again if we are in the area.
    Written 9 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PeterASD07
    Glasgow, UK18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our 2 year old loved all the different animals - there are loads!

    Also lots to keep her busy - she especially loved the trampoline thing on the ground 😂

    Indoor and outdoor play parks were enjoyable also - she wasn’t quite old enough for other activities but we would certainly visit again if we happen to be in area in future!!
    Written 19 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Barbara R
    Blackpool, UK270 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    have been before but many years ago.It has improved a lot and despite bad weather still things to look at under cover .Nice talk from one of the members about the spitfire recovered from the loch .
    Written 7 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Peter G
    Glasgow, UK5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Burns Cottage in Alloway is world famous. It appears on post cards, mugs, tea towels, and fridge magnets. Various models of the cottage have been available to buy over the years. The Queen and Muhammad Ali are amongst those that have visited it. It is one of Scotland's landmarks, and part of the national psyche. And all of this is well deserved, as it is, after all, the house in which Robert Burns was born.

    Robert Burns House in Dumfries, however, is where the poet lived the last years of his life, dying there in 1796, yet - and this might just be me - it doesn't seem to get the same acclaim and respect. And it really should. This is, after all, the place in which he wrote some of his best-loved poems / lyrics, including "My Luve is Like a Red, Red Rose" and "A Man's a Man, For A' That". You can stand in the same room Burns wrote these immortal works, and the signature (two of them) he etched into the window with a diamond-tipped stylus. You can visit the parlour in which he and his wife Jean entertained their many guests, and read "Holy Willy's Prayer" written in the Bard's own hand. I think you get a better sense of a living, breathing Burns here, which is something I have never felt in that Alloway cottage.

    I don't for a minute discount the importance of Burns Cottage, but I think Robert Burns House is a much more fulfilling experience for aficionados of the poet.
    Written 18 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Al Welch
    Southampton, UK145 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was really amazing to see that the Camera Obscura is still in use after many years Despite a small charge, it was worth the enjoyment. I looked around the museum itself, plus the gift shop as well. Amazingly awesome!
    Written 29 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • shelley342
    Cumbria, UK6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely fascinating place to go. You must go. The people we met there were amazing. Very informative. The place is fascinating. The trees are something else. Very old. We got some fantastic piccies.
    And they have chickens, goats & 1 rhea. Would go again. Thank you all for being so nice
    Written 17 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • richard r
    Borgue, UK161 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must for.Burns aficionados with many examples.of.his writings and belongings.
    Even for someone.less interested in Burns it is an interesting place to understand the difficulties of being a farmer and excise man in the past. Interesting old agricultural, dairying artifacts in the original steadying buildings.
    A lovely site, v quiet and with good walks through the orchard and along the River Nith. Dogs allowed everywhere except in the one main cottage.
    Written 2 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Danielle S
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was fantastic we would come back again next year their was a lot of diffrent .animal.to seex
    Written 9 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Atlas Adventured
    Orange County, CA62 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The family at AtlasAdventured highly recommends visiting here!
    We were looking for something fun indoors for our toddler to do, and came upon Moat Brae in our research. We were debating going or not, and I am so glad we chose to visit. It’s a very unassuming building, but the inside is so magical. When you enter you pass the cute gift shop filled with beautiful kids books and toys. The ladies at the front were so friendly and welcoming. They explained everything to us and got our daughter very excited. The cafe is also when you walk in. To explore the house you pay at the front and they give you/your child a fun trail hunt they can fill out while going through the house and gardens, and bring back for a surprise! We had so much fun exploring, picking up books in each room and finding a cozy place to sit and read. The theatre room was so much fun for our daughter, and the arts and crafts space. She was so happy to hang her creation on the wall! Chasing Tinkerbell and seeing Peter Pan’s shadow was one of her favorite memories from here. The garden is absolutely stunning. There is something fun to see everywhere you look. Climbing all over the Jolly Roger pirate ship and finding the crocodile was so fun for her and us. They’ve done an amazing job of making this space so whimsical for kids. I cannot say enough good things about Moat Brae. If you are ever in Dumfries, you have to visit! Thank you for such a memorable experience. These are definitely core memories for our daughter!
    Written 18 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • John S
    14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An excellent modern free museum/information centre in a stunning riverside location.
    The staff were really really helpful and knowledgable even pointing out a nearby dog friendly cafe.
    This information centre itself is not dog friendly but the outside riverside seating and water bowls made us feel looked after.
    Written 26 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jane L
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning flights of 1000s of barnacle geese and murmurations of wading birds made this a really special visit. Very pleasant, helpful, knowledge staff and an airy shop and pop up cafe added to the enjoyment. Thank you WWT :)
    Written 15 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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