| < back to Galloway Gardens
Castle Kennedy & Gardens
Stair Estates, Rephad, Stranraer, Wigtowshire. DG9 8BX
 Opening Times / Dates:
Additional Facilities:
- Tearoom with home baking and light lunches
- Gift shop and Plant Centre
- Free car and coach parking
- Wheelchair access to the Gardens
- All dogs on leads welcome
- Guided walks by appointment
- Facilities for children and babies
- Designated picnic area
Castle Kennedy & Gardens is one of Scotland's finest gardens ...
The
inspiration of the 2nd Earl of Stair in the 1730's, the gardens are a magical
landscape created on an isthmus between two large lochs. They extend to 75
acres of carefully landscaped terraces and avenues and contain the romantic
ruined 16th century Castle Kennedy at one end and the 19th century Lochinch
Castle at the other.
There is always something new to experience in the garden's unique
landscapes and settings. The warming influence of the Gulf Stream allows a
remarkable collection of plants from the world's warmer climes to flourish
outdoors.
Thousands of flowers are on view throughout the year including the
colourful displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and embothriums early in the
year and the stunning herbaceous borders in the Walled Garden later in the
summer. There is also a two acre lily pond, a pinetum and a 100 year old
Monkey Puzzle Avenue to enjoy. New for visitors is a Snowdrop Trail open at
weekends in February and March, offering visitors the opportunity to walk or
drive along 2 miles of snowdrop banks by the loch shore.
Perfect for exploring, four carefully designed walks of different lengths
and interests have been designed for visitors. These reveal the full garden
experience throughout the seasons as well as the permanently enchanting
woodland and loch side views.
For a quick coffee, a light lunch or a delicious cream tea, eating in the
tearoom is a delightful experience. Charmingly situated, it offers
unparalleled views of Castle Kennedy throughout the year. Choose from an
ever changing selection of soups, jacket potatoes, toasted sandwiches, cakes
and drinks. Using locally sourced fresh ingredients in traditional recipes
from Lochinch Castle, delicious home made food is available for all the
family.
 The gardens offer a number of seasonal activities for children, including
quizzes and family trails. In additional there are baby changing facilities
and high-chairs available both at the tea room and new picnic area.
The Gift Shop sells original gifts, accessories, crafts, books and
souvenirs including a detailed souvenir guidebook and postcards of the
garden.
Near the entrance to the grounds is a Plant Centre with a wide selection of
rhododendrons and other plants available to purchase many of which are home
grown.
We welcome all groups to the garden and do all we can to make your visit as
easy and enjoyable as possible. If you would like to find out more about
group bookings and discounts, please call 01776 702024.
Castle Kennedy & Gardens is for everyone, so we strive to be accessible.
There is a wheelchair friendly route limited only by the grassy banks as
well as a wheelchair available at the main entrance and reserved parking
spaces in the car park.
Castle Kennedy & Gardens
Summer
Competition & Events
Castle Kennedy & Gardens are the place to
be this summer! With two magical
open air theatre performances of 'The Wind in the Willows' on the 15th
of July and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on the 8th of August, as well as
a fantastic Art & Photography Competition for everyone, there really
is no better place to visit this summer.
Situated in front of Castle Kennedy, and with the wonderful backdrop of
the gardens behind, they promise to be enchanting summer evenings not often
found in Galloway.
The Wind in the Willows presented
by Heartbreak Productions
Wednesday, 15th July 2009
6.00pm,
with the grounds opening at 4.45pm for picnics.
- Take
a trip with Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger and revel in their outlandish
adventure in this charming timeless children's
classic. With live music, song and dance this promises to be
an entrancing
and entertaining theatre experience for all the family.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by
William Shakespeare
Saturday, 8th August 2009
6.00pm,
with the ground opening at 4.45pm for picnics.
 Flitting fairies,
forest bound adventurers and jovial tradesmen all join to create the
best in family entertainment.
Presented by Chapterhouse
Theatre Company this will be a perfect summer evening for all.
Costs for the above are:
- Advanced tickets:
Adults £10.00, students and children £6.00, Families (2 adults
and 2 children) £25.00
- On The Day Tickets:
Adults £12.00, Students and children £8.00, Families £32.00.
- There will be light refreshments available, free parking, toilets and
baby changing facilities.
- Please come suitably dressed for the weather, and bring insect
repellent.
- Please also bring your own rugs or low backed seating and torches.
Please phone Castle Kennedy Gardens 01776 702024 for more information.
The 2009
Art & Photography Competition
The Summer Art and Photography Competition will run from
June until the end of October.
- This year's theme is 'Water in the Landscape'.
This competition gives people the opportunity to discover what Castle Kennedy
and Gardens has to offer this summer, as well as a chance to win some
fantastic prizes (including a return trip for a car + 4 passengers
to Belfast), and to have their picture printed in the Free Press! Entrants
can draw, sketch, paint or photograph their view of water in whichever
medium they choose. Judging will take into consideration the composition
chosen and the skill of the artist.
 The competition will be split into four age categories. These are:
age
4-7 (p1-p3), age 8-11 (p4-p7), age 12-18 (secondary) and age 18+ (adult).- Entrants to the competition must fill out an application form. These
are available from the Gardens on entry.
- All entrants will receive a 50% discount for one adult and one child
to create their artwork. Thereafter, entrants can enter the Gardens for
free to complete their work.
- Sponsors
in 2009 include, Baxters, J M Trains, Moodies, Daisy Chain at Reids,
McKenzies, Stranraer &
Wigtownshire Free Press as well as Stena Line.
Please phone Castle Kennedy Gardens 01776 702024
for more information.
< back to Galloway Gardens | back to Events Page |
