Nearby | Criffel1

Based at Criffel View, you are spoiled for choice for things to do around New Abbey or within a short drive. We are situated right on the South West Coastal 300 route around south-west Scotland. See also this recent article in the Independent.

Below are a few ideas to help inspire you.

Visit Sweetheart Abbey, just a short walk down the hill! Then have lunch or afternoon tea at Abbey Cottage Tearoom, or a drink at the (dog-friendly) Abbey Arms Hotel along the road. The New Abbey Corn Mill is also well worth a visit.
The historical Shambellie House sits just above the village and its set in beautiful woodland. It offers a range of arts, heritage and environmental courses. See the full range of courses at https://www.shambelliehouse.org. You can also follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shambelliehouse. Why not stay with us at Criffel View while attending one of the courses?

Circular walk along quiet roads past the historic Kirkconnell House and down towards the mouth of the River Nith where it meets the Solway Firth, then back on the footpath through the fields to Criffel View
Circular walk from the back of New Abbey up to the Waterloo Monument
Climb the 570 metres up to the summit of Criffel, for amazing views over the Solway Firth and down towards Isle of Man. Plan your circular walk here or here

Nearby Mabie Forest is an outdoor playground for mountain bikers and walkers. Mabie Forest is part of the 7 Stanes Mountain Biking network. There's also a great Farm Park for kids and Mabie House Hotel if you fancy a drink or lunch/dinner
Kirkconnell Flow Nature Reserve is a short 10-minute drive (or a lovely walk or cycle along quiet roads!).
In a slightly different direction, towards Beeswing, you have Loch Arthur Creamery, Shop and Cafe, which is just 5 miles away
And just 7 miles off the road south at Kirkbean, you have the famous Steamboat Inn
Visit the John Paul Jones museum, also near Kirkbean. He became the first US naval hero of the American Revolution, and is generally known as the father of the United States Navy.
RSPB Mersehead Nature Reserve, with its lovely sandy beach, is just a 15-minute drive and close to Sandyhills
Dumfries town is the largest in south-west Scotland, and has many events and attractions, not forgetting its strong links with Robert Burns. Visit the Robert Burns Centre in town, on the banks of the River Nith, which tells the story of his time in Dumfries. Burns was also buried in Dumfries in 1796, and you can visit his Mausoleum in the town.

Visit the villages of Southerness, Rockcliffe and Kippford on the Solway coast (The Scottish Riviera!) (25-30 minute drive from New Abbey)
Visit Threave Castle and Gardens, near Castle Douglas. (30-35 minute drive from New Abbey)
The town of Castle Douglas itself (approximately 30 minutes drive from New Abbey) is known as the "Food Town". A list of cafes and restaurants can be found here
Visit Caerlaverock Castle and the nearby WWT Caerlaverock wetlands to see the birds, especially the geese! (30 mins drive from New Abbey). Stop off at Glencaple, on the banks of the River Nith, on the way to see the locals still catching fish using the traditional old "Haaf Netting" method
Visit Galloway Dark Sky Park for the full Dark Skies experience (approx 1hr drive from New Abbey)
Include us in your tour of the South West Coastal 300 route around the beautiful south-west Scotland.
For other attractions in south-west Scotland, see South West Scotland Visitor Guide (visitsouthwestscotland.com)