A lowland hideaway

The perfect place to get away from it all

Roughly 6 miles south-west of Dumfries, on the A710 coastal road, you’ll find New Abbey – a small village with a romantic tale to tell.

Romantic New Abbey

In the heart of the 7 Stanes for mountain bikers, Criffel and the rolling Galloway hills for walkers, with countless beaches, multiple golf courses and plenty of history. There is something for everyone.

Sweetheart Abbey, in the centre of the village, was erected by Lady Devorgilla to honour her late husband, John Balliol, and brings many tourists every year, eager to learn more about this ancient love story.

The village also has a delightful tearoom, a general store and a pub.

Dumfries & Galloway

Just over the English border, in lowland Scotland, lies Dumfries & Galloway – a region of breathtaking coastline and open green spaces, popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Bring the bike and test yourself on one (or all) of the five 7 Stanes centres in the region, take a stroll along one of the many stunning coastal trails or get out on the water and try something new at the Galloway Activity Centre.

If it’s culture you’re after, Dumfries & Galloway is home to an Artist’s Town (Kirkcudbright), a ‘Food Town’ (Castle Douglas) and Scotland’s National Book Town (Wigtown).

Dumfries is the biggest town in the region and the former home of Peter Pan author JM Barrie and Robert Burns.

 

Things to do nearby

Criffel

The highest and most prominent hill in the area at 570m, Criffel sits to the north-west of New Abbey, dominating the Solway Coastline. A short but steep ascent is rewarded with panoramic views of the Solway and Lake District (on a clear day).

Waterloo Monument

Waterloo monument sits above New Abbey and offers stunning views of the Nith Estuaries. It was built in 1816 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo the year before.

Sweetheart Abbey

Sweetheart Abbey was built in 1273 by Lady Devorgilla to honour her late husband, John Balliol. Lady Devorgilla was said to carry his heart, placed in an ivory casket, everywhere she went. On her death she was laid to rest with her husband’s heart in the abbey and his casket was moved beside her.

New Abbey Cornmill

Now under the care of Historic Scotland, New Abbey’s water powered Corn Mill offers visitors a fascinating insight into Scottish life in years gone by. The mill remains in full working order today.

Moat Brae Visitor Centre

Moat Brae House and its enchanted garden, in Dumfries, is well known as the birthplace of Peter Pan. The former home of Pan author JM Barrie, Moat Brae was restored and reopened as a visitor centre in 2019. Great for kids!

Mabie Farm Park

An outdoor adventure playground just south of Dumfries, great for kids aged 0-12. The park has a variety of both indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces as well as a petting zoo.

Mountain Biking

The 7 Stanes are a group of purpose-built mountain biking centres in southern Scotland, five of which are in Dumfries and Galloway. That makes Kingan Farms the perfect place from which to experience the very best in Scottish mountain biking, with 7 Stanes at Mabie Forest a short five minute drive from New Abbey.

Golf

There are over 25 golf courses in Dumfries and Galloway, with nearby Southerness consistently ranked the best in the region. The course also appears regularly in Scotland’s Top 100 Golf Courses.

Mabie Forest

Walking and mountain biking trails, outdoor activities, picnic and barbecue areas and spectacular views of Dumfries and the Nith Estuary. Mabie Forest really does have something for everyone.

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