Late on Sunday we returned home from our 3rd and final adventure of the summer holidays. We had been up to Scotland for our 4th visit to Auchenlarie Holiday Park, which is in Dumfries and Galloway. Whilst we love to holiday in different places, Auchenlarie is somewhere we have never tired of visiting. The kids love it there as much as we do, and here is why
The Seaview
The site slopes down to the sea which means that virtually every caravan or lodge will have a Seaview. I find it so relaxing gazing out to sea with a coffee/wine in hand. Here is the view from our decking
The accommodation
As with most holiday parks, Auchenlarie has a wide range of accommodation. On previous occasions we have stayed in a standard caravan, even snapping up 4 nights during Easter for £69.00. This year we stayed in the park lodge, which was virtually brand new. It had 3 bedrooms, a huge ensuite and a fireplace I could look at all day. The price was £575.00 for the full week, which for the quality of the lodge was fantastic value. One thing I love is that ALL of the accommodation comes complete with decking, even the standard caravans.
Private Beach
Whilst it is quite a steep slope getting down to it, it is worth the trip to the private beach. We enjoyed many hours on the beach, playing football, climbing on the rocks, paddling in the sea and having picnics. It was never busy, and one time we even had the whole beach to ourselves. Pure bliss.
Facilities on site
There is a small pool, arcade, restaurant, take away, sports bar, crazy golf, shop, and play areas dotted around the site. You have to book a session in the pool, and they also have pool parties twice a week. There is an additional charge of £2.00 per person, but this was well worth it as the kids had a great time. We enjoyed the take away one evening back in the lodge, which was good value and tasted fresh.
Entertainment
There is a modern entertainment suite which usually opens at 7.30pm. You need to purchase entertainment passes, which are around £30.00 for 2 adults and 2 children for the full week. There is a good mix of entertainment in the evening, and there is always a good atmosphere in there. They also have activities running during the day. My daughter went to Build a Bear, daytime karaoke and we did the family quiz (which we won whoop).
Katie with the bunny she made
This is the balloon Katie won when we visited in 2014. Oh the fun we had getting it in the car
The local area
There really is lots to do in the local area, and even though we have visited 4 times we are still finding new places to go to. Some of our favourites are Cream o Galloway (ice cream farm and adventure park), Laggan outdoor activity centre and the chocolate factory. And whilst you are driving to nearby places, sit back and enjoy the stunning Scottish scenery.
Would we return for a 5th time ?
Before we went, I honestly thought this would be our last visit. But sitting on the decking with the sun shining down (a rare miracle in Scotland), I felt sad with the prospect of not returning again. The park has such a nice atmosphere, and the staff have always been so helpful and friendly. Its a safe site and the children are getting to the age where they can go off and explore by themselves. The children are already asking to go back next year, so I am sure they will twist my arm. Though where holidays are concerned, my arm needs no twisting. See you next year Auchenlarie for our 5th visit.
That’s really good value for a weeks holiday Tracey. For us it’s just to long a journey. Glad you had a lovely time. X
Yes it would be a long trek for you Lyn. It takes us around 3 and a half hours to get there from Cheshire x
It looks a fantastic place to visit and the caravans look very nice quality and spacious.
We’ve been to Padstow so many times and every year we say ‘maybe we won’t go next year’, but every year we book it again! If you love somewhere, why not keep going back? 🙂
The accommodation this year was virtually brand new and I love having an ensuite as we don’t have one at home x
That looks like a lovely holiday. There are only really two places we have ever gone back to repeatedly, as I love to try out new places, but one is in Devon, the other is in Cyprus! I’ve only been to Scotland once, we went on a caravan holiday in Ayre. I’d love to see more of Scotland and this place looks like one to bookmark. x
Thanks Emma. Our aim is to try a new place at least once a year as we seem to have our favourites that we keep returning to. We were about an hour from Ayr and if we go again next year we plan to visit there for the day. Even though we have only been to the same place in Scotland we love it up there x
Tracey it looks so lovely, I love that fact that everyone has a sea view . A great atmosphere really makes such a difference doesn’t it x
I really think its the atmosphere that keeps us going back each year. Its a small run park which makes such a difference from other large commercial parks we have visited when the kids were little x
You should definitely return for a 5th time Tracey! It looks and sounds fabulous!
Yes I think a 5th visit will definitely be on the cards for next year x
Looks like a great spot! I love the family feel that comes out of getting the family together in a house like this. It is so different from a hotel. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. It was great to have so much space rather than being cramped up in a hotel room x
I can totally understand why they love it there!!! The sea view and the lodge are already reason enough for me to love it there too 😀 sooo beautiful!
Thank you so much for joining #MondayEscapes
Thank you. They are definitely 2 of the reasons we keep heading back there every summer. Scotland is beautiful x
I still need to visit Scotland, everyone loves it… my sister fell in love with it 😀
Ah so this is where you go in Dumfries and Galloway! No wonder you like to return, it’s a fantastic location – that view is wonderful.
Excellent value for money too.
Ah yes Trish and glad you found this post. Having just returned a few hours ago, we are already missing it and planning on our 6th visit next summer. Can you believe the sun shone for most of the weekend too, which is always a bonus in Scotland. Can highly recommend the site and this time we stayed in a 2 bed gold caravan which was lovely x
Thank you for this beautiful and very informative post about the Auchenlarie holiday park. Many thanks for this will plan my travel soon to this wonderful place.
Thank you I hope you have a wonderful time x