Newbridge Country Park

Newbridge Country Park combines a riverside setting with convenient access to Dumfries, with the town a short walk away and a bus stop just outside the park. It welcomes tents as well as caravans, campervans, motorhomes and trailer tents. For tourers, there are 15 level hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up. The character is relaxed and rural, while shops, pubs and places to eat in Dumfries make it practical for visitors who want countryside surroundings without being far from town amenities.

Facilities include toilets, free showers, free Wi-Fi and waste disposal. Dogs are welcome, with a large, secure off-lead exercise field beside the river, and fishing is available on site. Pitch enquiries can be made by telephone or through the form on the park’s website; the form should not be confused with instant online booking.

Dumfries offers a chance to explore Robert Burns’s later life. Robert Burns House preserves the sandstone home where he lived with his family until his death in 1796, while his mausoleum stands a short distance from the house. For a separate woodland outing, the Forest of Ae has waymarked walks beside the Water of Ae and routes reaching into the hills. The 1.2km Ae Naze Trail follows a broad, firm track with gentle rises; the longer, 5.2km Water of Ae Riverside Trail passes beneath Norway spruce and includes some short, fairly steep ramps. Both are forest routes rather than walks starting at the campsite.