The Ken Bridge Hotel And Campsite

The Ken Bridge Hotel and Campsite is a small, secluded riverside site in the hotel grounds at New Galloway. Pitches occupy open ground beside the Water of Ken, with space for tents and campervans. Campers have 24-hour access to a shower and toilets with shaver points at the rear of the hotel. The on-site pub opens to the public from 5pm each day, while the restaurant is reserved for hotel guests. Red squirrels regularly visit the hotel gardens, and otters inhabit the river, although sightings call for patience rather than expectation.

New Galloway offers cafés, a community-owned village shop and CatStrand arts centre. Its history is visible in the town hall and the stone Ken Bridge, designed by John Rennie in the 1820s; the ruins of Kenmure Castle stand south of the village. These give a visit to the town an interest beyond collecting provisions.

For a woodland and lochside outing, Clatteringshaws lies on the A712 Queen’s Way between New Galloway and Newton Stewart. Its Bruce’s Stone Trail follows the shore through mature woods to a granite boulder where Robert the Bruce is said to have rested. The loch also offers views towards the Galloway Hills and opportunities to watch waterbirds in summer. After dark, Clatteringshaws is one of the recognised stargazing locations within Galloway International Dark Sky Park, making it an option for a separate evening excursion when skies are clear.