Galloway, Yorkshire Dales and Cornish Farm, Taunton.

[Abacist]

We came here last Friday and are staying on the C & M site “New England”. Now that we are here we need not have paid £130 for 5 nights and could have stayed for free outside the gates where there is an Elsan point and fresh water freely available in the council toilet block in the unmarked car park by the beach! Seen lots of wilding going on elsewhere as well although some spots clearly marked no overnighting, cooking or camping.

Galloway is very rural and largely farming countryside so beach and walking are principal activities. Nearest shop is a few miles away and supermarkets in Stranraer.

Visited Portpatrick yesterday which is a delightful seaside harbour on the extreme west coast. Lobster Thermidor, mussels and crab lunch - lovely!

Enjoy!

 

[Abacist]

Free aire outside New England campsite

 

[David and Sally]

We were in Port Patrick a couple of weeks ago. Fabulous area.

 

[Gellyneck]

We came here last Friday and are staying on the C & M site “New England”. Now that we are here we need not have paid £130 for 5 nights and could have stayed for free outside the gates where there is an Elsan point and fresh water freely available in the council toilet block in the unmarked car park by the beach! Seen lots of wilding going on elsewhere as well although some spots clearly marked no overnighting, cooking or camping.

Galloway is very rural and largely farming countryside so beach and walking are principal activities. Nearest shop is a few miles away and supermarkets in Stranraer.

Visited Portpatrick yesterday which is a delightful seaside harbour on the extreme west coast. Lobster Thermidor, mussels and crab lunch - lovely!

Enjoy!

Tssssssk! Tssssssk! Tssssssk!

In addition to the unmarked car park there's the area up the tarmacked road close to the toilet where it has previously been laid out as individual pitches some of which have tables \ benches next to them!

When does a " Uk aire " stop becoming an "aire" ?

Excluding caravans and tents.. solely a motorhome aire.. When would it stop becoming just an aire in your eyes? Pitch price, extras like toilets, showers, ehu, I need the feedback.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

New England Bay

Sitting in the van at New England Bay, just popped down for lunch and a walk. Don't know if it's been posted before but there is now a black waste disposal facility. The toilets are closed as usual for the winter but the facility is outside and in use.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

New Elsan point in Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries & Galloway Council have installed an Elsan at the public toilets in the car park at New England Bay on the Mull of Galloway.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Wild camping Dumfries and Galloway

Hi all just joined forum, were off to D&G in 4 weeks in a rented motorhome (looking to do a van conversion later). Just after some ideas on locations to wild camp along coastal route and Galloway forest. Should I be aware of any narrow roads in this area to avoid. Any help much appreciated Stevo.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Abacist]

Portpatrick pics from yesterday

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[Abacist]

Another big advantage of being on the coast here is that we have not seen a single midge!

 

[Abacist]

Tssssssk! Tssssssk! Tssssssk!

In addition to the unmarked car park there's the area up the tarmacked road close to the toilet where it has previously been laid out as individual pitches some of which have tables \ benches next to them!

When does a " Uk aire " stop becoming an "aire" ?

Excluding caravans and tents.. solely a motorhome aire.. When would it stop becoming just an aire in your eyes? Pitch price, extras like toilets, showers, ehu, I need the feedback.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

New England Bay

Sitting in the van at New England Bay, just popped down for lunch and a walk. Don't know if it's been posted before but there is now a black waste disposal facility. The toilets are closed as usual for the winter but the facility is outside and in use.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

New Elsan point in Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries & Galloway Council have installed an Elsan at the public toilets in the car park at New England Bay on the Mull of Galloway.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Wild camping Dumfries and Galloway

Hi all just joined forum, were off to D&G in 4 weeks in a rented motorhome (looking to do a van conversion later). Just after some ideas on locations to wild camp along coastal route and Galloway forest. Should I be aware of any narrow roads in this area to avoid. Any help much appreciated Stevo.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

None of which came up on a simple search for Galloway!

What’s the Tsk Tsk Tsk all about? Am I not allowed to post about our tour?

 

[Gellyneck]

None of which came up on a simple search for Galloway!

What’s the Tsk Tsk Tsk all about? Am I not allowed to post about our tour?

Mmmmmmmh! All of the above came up for me when searching for "Galloway" and \ or "New England Bay".

The Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! was solely because there are a number of threads on this very subject and thought you would have found them when searching but, obviously, not.

Sorry if any offence has been taken as it was just a tongue in cheek comment on the above!

 

[bridgedino]

Good to get a reminder about these stop off points. Had read about it in older threads some time ago but older info drops out of my head as newer info is added. For a 5 nighter I would also be on the campsite but for a day out or an overnight stop, perfect

 

[Janine]

There was a campervan parked up near the lighthouse when I was there a few years ago. Superb spot!

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[Abacist]

There was a campervan parked up near the lighthouse when I was there a few years ago. Superb spot!

2 German vans and a Dutchman tonight!

 

[Abacist]

At the lighthouse this afternoon!

 

[Chipster]

That platter looks nice!!

 

[irnbru]

We came here last Friday and are staying on the C & M site “New England”. Now that we are here we need not have paid £130 for 5 nights and could have stayed for free outside the gates where there is an Elsan point and fresh water freely available in the council toilet block in the unmarked car park by the beach! Seen lots of wilding going on elsewhere as well although some spots clearly marked no overnighting, cooking or camping.

Galloway is very rural and largely farming countryside so beach and walking are principal activities. Nearest shop is a few miles away and supermarkets in Stranraer.

Visited Portpatrick yesterday which is a delightful seaside harbour on the extreme west coast. Lobster Thermidor, mussels and crab lunch - lovely!

Enjoy!

We must have just missed you. We were there until Monday. Saw flatpackchicken van but they were never in when we passed by.

 

[LaughingPlumber]

We’ve just spent two nights up at the lighthouse FOC, no facilities but spectacular. One night at New England CMC to do 10 days laundry and service the fluids. The site outside is nothing to do with CMC, as it’s operated by Dumfries & Galloway Council. Basic but clean toilets and CDP. Next night at Sandhead, very faded signs saying no overnight parking in picnic area, but at this time of year there were 4 vans there, no questions asked. Now had 2 nights at Kirkcolm Aire (Campra site) north of Stranraer. Max 5 vans, able to park at least 40m apart with stunning views over Loch Ryan and Cairnryan ferry terminal. £5 per night, max 5 vans, water available, waiting to have CDP installed. Good cycling and walking routes nearby.
Now looking for similar locations nearby, Wigtown and Kircudbright areas. Try to have 2-3 nights off grid at a time. Any suggestions please.

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[Janine]

We’ve just spent two nights up at the lighthouse FOC, no facilities but spectacular. One night at New England CMC to do 10 days laundry and service the fluids. The site outside is nothing to do with CMC, as it’s operated by Dumfries & Galloway Council. Basic but clean toilets and CDP. Next night at Sandhead, very faded signs saying no overnight parking in picnic area, but at this time of year there were 4 vans there, no questions asked. Now had 2 nights at Kirkcolm Aire (Campra site) north of Stranraer. Max 5 vans, able to park at least 40m apart with stunning views over Loch Ryan and Cairnryan ferry terminal. £5 per night, max 5 vans, water available, waiting to have CDP installed. Good cycling and walking routes nearby.
Now looking for similar locations nearby, Wigtown and Kircudbright areas. Try to have 2-3 nights off grid at a time. Any suggestions please.

If you can't find anywhere to wildcamp, there is a lovely municipal campsite at Kirkcudbright called Silvercraigs.

 

[lorger]

Directly across the water from you is Port William, lovely little village with community run campsite and cafe/pub.
We visit Portpatrick and port William several times a year as our easy weekend getaway.

I say it many times when people post on the forum their visiting Scotland and start north of Glasgow, save time and fuel and just turn left at Gretna.

 

[lorger]

We’ve just spent two nights up at the lighthouse FOC, no facilities but spectacular. One night at New England CMC to do 10 days laundry and service the fluids. The site outside is nothing to do with CMC, as it’s operated by Dumfries & Galloway Council. Basic but clean toilets and CDP. Next night at Sandhead, very faded signs saying no overnight parking in picnic area, but at this time of year there were 4 vans there, no questions asked. Now had 2 nights at Kirkcolm Aire (Campra site) north of Stranraer. Max 5 vans, able to park at least 40m apart with stunning views over Loch Ryan and Cairnryan ferry terminal. £5 per night, max 5 vans, water available, waiting to have CDP installed. Good cycling and walking routes nearby.
Now looking for similar locations nearby, Wigtown and Kircudbright areas. Try to have 2-3 nights off grid at a time. Any suggestions please.

Try up at Clatteringshaws it’s about £6 a night cash only and they have a wc empty point and lovely little cafe, plus a great area for mountain biking

 

[LaughingPlumber]

Thanks for the tips. Only ever been up here once before, that was to catch the ferry. Really liking the whole area. Sold the house and full timing for 3 months, so have to be cautious with expenditure, or the capital will melt away before we get our new house….

 

[jockaneezer]

We used to visit Port William quite a bit, but the Clansman restaurant (not affiliated with the Craiglang Clansman ) has now closed and someone said the Monrieth Arms has closed too ?
If you're heading to Port William from the MoG, there's usually a van or two parked on the really wide verge a couple or three miles north of PW, but as Gerry says, if you use the site in PW, you're giving money back to the community.

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[Abacist]

On the drive back to civilisation there was no cafe or garage until Dumfries where we went into an advertised garden centre with a large car park - cafe closed for renovation. We then found an outdoor, horsey, country type megastore with a nice cafe. Diesel in Tesco was £1.999 per litre - wince!

 

[Stoosal]

On the drive back to civilisation there was no cafe or garage until Dumfries where we went into an advertised garden centre with a large car park - cafe closed for renovation. We then found an outdoor, horsey, country type megastore with a nice cafe. Diesel in Tesco was £1.999 per litre - wince!

From Galloway to Dumfries there are plenty Cafes and fuel in Newton Stewart, Gatehouse, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie. The main A75 now bypasses all these towns.

 

[Abacist]

Quite probably but with a 9m tag towing a car I was loath to go into the villages but just wanted to post a warning to others. With the amount of truckers using the A75 I would have thought there was potential for at least one stop or a mobile vending van!

Disappointed to see lorries >7.5t limited to 40mph which caused plenty of tail backs.

One one section of roadworks for resurfacing they were not content with just a set of traffic lights but imposed a convoy system following a van at 5mph!

 

[MillieMoocher]

LaughingPlumber a bit further down the coast from Wigtown is the Isle of Whithorn*, where there is free parking/camping on a sloping grass car park, or on the road overlooking the harbour just before the car park entrance. Good food at The Steam Packet, although the new owners there have improved the food they have managed to suck the atmosphere out of what was once a thriving community hub.

or just up the coast from the Isle, you will find Garleston where both CMC and CCC have sites with electric etc. very picturesque there too.

Enjoy the trip!

*although called the Isle, it is actually attached to the mainland by a street of houses so no ferries are involved!

 

[Scully]

If you can't find anywhere to wildcamp, there is a lovely municipal campsite at Kirkcudbright called Silvercraigs.

Kirkcudbright also has an steltzplatz down by the swimming pool, run by the community.

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[pampam]

I love dumfries and galloway, its a lovely area,

 

[lorger]

Quite probably but with a 9m tag towing a car I was loath to go into the villages but just wanted to post a warning to others. With the amount of truckers using the A75 I would have thought there was potential for at least one stop or a mobile vending van!

Disappointed to see lorries >7.5t limited to 40mph which caused plenty of tail backs.

One one section of roadworks for resurfacing they were not content with just a set of traffic lights but imposed a convoy system following a van at 5mph!

To late now but might be handy for the next visit, before you reached the GC you might have seen the new hospital on your right, lovely little cafe next to it in Kilnford farm shop.

 

[Gellyneck]

On the drive back to civilisation there was no cafe or garage until Dumfries where we went into an advertised garden centre with a large car park - cafe closed for renovation. We then found an outdoor, horsey, country type megastore with a nice cafe. Diesel in Tesco was £1.999 per litre - wince!

As Gerry says, too late, but there's a big layby (think it was part of the original road) just opposite Castle Cary Holiday Pak that artic drivers tend to use as there's a snack van in it. 54.88992563692545, -4.383604124238584

You can also, normally, get into the public car park next to the riverside supermarkets in Newton Stewart. There's the Belted Galloway cafe (great scones!) next to it and the Riverside Cafe on the other side of the entrance road. 54.95716255007492, -4.48135965656256

Sainsbury's and Aldi supermarkets next the the Riverside Cafe where we've seen motorhomes regularly parked when shopping. Aldi's car park at the end next to Jewson's would probably accommodate somebody toading. 54.95543915807626, -4.481338686751968

The Tesco fuel station has just recently been refurbished so they're probably clawing back the outlay on this! We tend to use their car park for an onboard pit stop, as their cafe isn't dog friendly, and pick up a few supplies. 55.0752324402499, -3.6238927912299945

The co-ords for the Kilnford Farm Shop mentioned by Gerry are 55.0609868692733, -3.661691169375109

 

[arthur49]

Now looking for similar locations nearby, Wigtown and Kircudbright areas. Try to have 2-3 nights off grid at a time. Any suggestions please.

The one at Kirkcolm is called Scar Park. Others we like in D & G:-
Clash Farm, Port Logan - fantastic view. Approach from Drummore as its a very sharp turn otherwise
Frugaldom near Newton Stewart - darkest night skies I've ever seen
Craig Croft near Castle Douglas - wild life here is amazing especially red kites, red squirrels
Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool - only 3 pitches though
Metal Bridge House and Metal Bridge Inn - OK these 2 stopovers are not in D & G but great starting point for a tour.

All are listed on Search4Sites except Clash Farm.
And there are others in the pipeline in D & G

 

[David and Sally]

Quite probably but with a 9m tag towing a car I was loath to go into the villages but just wanted to post a warning to others. With the amount of truckers using the A75 I would have thought there was potential for at least one stop or a mobile vending van!

Disappointed to see lorries >7.5t limited to 40mph which caused plenty of tail backs.

One one section of roadworks for resurfacing they were not content with just a set of traffic lights but imposed a convoy system following a van at 5mph!

Yep. We did that a couple of weeks ago

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