Castle Kennedy Gardens

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Castle Kennedy Gardens An elaborate series of terraces and land sculptures can be found throughout the Gardens forming stunning patterns of curves and banks.

Visitor attraction in Scotland's South West, with 75 acres of stunning gardens, romantic ruins, holiday cottages & Lochinch Castle
🌟Home of the Scottish Myths + Legends Trail this summer🌟 Family home to the 14th Earl and Countess of Stair, the Gardens were the inspiration of the 2nd Earl of Stair in the 1730s and are famous for colourful displays of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Embothriums, many rare and exotic plants, 21 Champion Trees and a number of spectacular avenues and the romantic ruins of 16th Century Castle Kennedy. Despite their contemporary look and feel, these were constructed in the 1730s using men with carts and horse-drawn equipment to move and mould the landscape. The stunning Avenues in the Gardens were originally planted with specimen seeds given by famous botanical explorer Joseph Ho**er. Each Avenue was planted with a single type of tree, many of which can still be seen today. These include the 150-year-old Monkey Puzzle Avenue, the Thuja Avenue and the Dettingen Avenue which is lined with evergreen oaks. The beautiful two-acre Circular Pond filled with rare Victorian water lilies is also a highlight.

Autumn walks are even better with your four legged friend. With the arrival of cooler days and beautiful autumn colours,...
21/10/2026

Autumn walks are even better with your four legged friend. With the arrival of cooler days and beautiful autumn colours, Castle Kennedy Gardens is a wonderful place for a dog walk at this time of year.🐾

There's so much to see as you make you way down winding paths with crunchy leaves underfoot.
So wrap up warm, grab the lead and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful grounds with your furry friend.

It's great to see everyone enjoying the gardens, so be sure to tag us in your photos of your dog.
We'd love to see your autumn adventures!

19/10/2026

There's plenty of Halloween fun for our littlest explorers at Castle Kennedy Gardens this half term.

If your little ones prefer something a little less spooky, then we have just the thing! Our 'I Spy Trail' in the Walled Garden is perfect for younger visitors. Keep your eyes peeled for Wynda the Witch, Grace the Ghost and their Halloween friends hiding around the Walled Garden. How many can you find?

With our Halloween Trail for bigger adventurers and plenty of beautiful autumn colours to enjoy along the way, there's something for the whole family. Come along and join the fun!

Enjoy our gardens in all their Autumnal glory with the person who knows exactly where to look. On Thursday 22nd October,...
16/10/2026

Enjoy our gardens in all their Autumnal glory with the person who knows exactly where to look.

On Thursday 22nd October, our Head Gardener, Adrian Lovatt will be leading a guided walk through our gardens as we prepare for winter. October is the perfect time to explore, as our trees turn beautiful shades of red, orange and gold. During the walk, Adrian will be sharing his knowledge and insights, as you enjoy a closer look at the seasonal changes taking place here at Castle Kennedy Gardens.

📅 Thursday 22nd October
🕑 2pm – 3.30pm

Your ticket* also includes a hot drink and a delicious slice of our home baking. Places are limited, so book your tickets today (🔗in comments)

*General admission also required.

It's hard to beat an autumnal walk in the fresh air and if you ask us, it's even better if there's a slice of cake invol...
14/10/2026

It's hard to beat an autumnal walk in the fresh air and if you ask us, it's even better if there's a slice of cake involved. Our tearoom has plenty of delicious bakes to enjoy, including a few Halloween themed treats too. So, whether you're visiting our Halloween trail, enjoying a family walk in the gardens or simply fancy a coffee and something sweet, make some time for a stop at the tearoom.

Which treat catches your eye?

Why not stay a little longer this Autumn?Autumn is a wonderful time of year to spend a few days at Stair Estates, when t...
12/10/2026

Why not stay a little longer this Autumn?

Autumn is a wonderful time of year to spend a few days at Stair Estates, when the landscape begins to change and the colours of the season appear all around you.

Our holiday cottages make a comfortable and cosy base, perfect for exploring the estate. Step outside for a stunning autumn walk and take in the views, then come back to your cottage where every detail has been considered to make your stay a memorable one.

Fresh flowers, comfortable rooms and thoughtful touches are all part of the welcome. Slow down, enjoy the season and experience more of our estate at your own pace.

Book your autumn break at Stair Estates today: https://castlekennedygardens.com/holiday-cottages/availability-booking/

The Halloween trail is now open at Castle Kennedy Gardens!We're ready for our first brave visitors. The clues are in pla...
10/10/2026

The Halloween trail is now open at Castle Kennedy Gardens!
We're ready for our first brave visitors. The clues are in place and the mystery is ready to be solved.
Follow the trail* through the Gardens, solve the spooky clues along the way and see if you can uncover the secret word.

Once you're done, why not join us in the tea room for a well-earned treat?

A fun Halloween adventure for the whole family and a great reason to get outdoors and explore the gardens this half term.
Are you ready to take on the trail?

📅10th October-1st November
🕛10am-5pm
Book online today! https://castlekennedygardens.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Don't forget to tag us on social media and share your Halloween adventures. We'd love to see how you get on!
*Additional cost. The trail is £3.50. General admission required.

It's almost here!Our Halloween trail is opening this Saturday at Castle Kennedy Gardens. Fun for the whole family, work ...
08/10/2026

It's almost here!

Our Halloween trail is opening this Saturday at Castle Kennedy Gardens. Fun for the whole family, work together to solve our spooky clues and uncover the secret word as you follow the trail* through the gardens. Reach the end and collect your well earned sweet reward.
Keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you might discover!

📅10th October-1st November
🕛10am-5pm
Book online today! https://castlekennedygardens.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

We can't wait to welcome you! Please be sure to tag us on social media and share your Halloween adventures.
*General admission also required.

Beyond the gardens, there's another side to life at Stair Estates. The River Luce is a special place to spend a day at t...
06/10/2026

Beyond the gardens, there's another side to life at Stair Estates. The River Luce is a special place to spend a day at this time of year.

The Luce is fishing well at the moment, and it is lovely to see anglers making the most of the season. Some of the Estate’s fly-fishing water is available for day lets, which gives a great opportunity for more people to experience this beautiful stretch of Galloway.

It’s another part of life on the Estate, and another way in which this landscape continues to be enjoyed, cared for and shared.
For bookings, please contact our team on 01776 702 024 or [email protected].

Dahlias are bringing a beautiful burst of colour to the Gardens at the moment, with their striking flowers making them h...
05/10/2026

Dahlias are bringing a beautiful burst of colour to the Gardens at the moment, with their striking flowers making them hard to walk past without stopping for a closer look. This beautiful Dahlia is 'Sissinghurst'. It was bred for gardener and writer Sarah Raven, and its name was inspired by the richness of Vita Sackville West's Sissinghurst interiors and garden roses.

One of the things that makes dahlias so special is their incredible variety. Their flowers range from simple, open blooms to intricate pompons, and some can reach up to 30cm across. Dahlias are brilliant late-season performers too, flowering from summer well into autumn. So now is the perfect time to come and see them for yourself.

Come and enjoy them as part of an autumn walk through Castle Kennedy Gardens, then round off your visit with a well-earned slice of cake in the Tea Room. 🍰
Book your visit today.

02/10/2026

Something spooky is coming to Castle Kennedy 🎃

Things are about to get a little more mysterious this half term. We're busy preparing a brand new Halloween trail, with plenty of spooky surprises waiting to be discovered around the gardens.

We're keeping the details under wraps for a while longer, but keep your eyes peeled as Halloween arrives at Castle Kennedy Gardens.

Address

Castle Kennedy Gardens
Stranraer
DG98SJ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441776702024

Website

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