10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Ayrshire That You Shouldn't Miss

March 22, 2022 Jana Sager

Discover the best top things to do in Ayrshire, United Kingdom including Western Gailes Golf Club, Blackstone Clydesdales & Dig-a-Day Experience, Culzean Castle and Country Park, Scottish Maritime Museum, Rozelle Park, Eglinton Country Park, Dumfries House, Dalgarven Mill, The Cook School Scotland, Spier's School Grounds.
Restaurants in Ayrshire

1. Western Gailes Golf Club

Gailes, Irvine KA11 5AE Scotland +44 1294 311649 http://www.westerngailes.com/
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 67 reviews

Western Gailes Golf Club

Reviewed By jprey3

If you are a golfer, then this is a must play course if you are in the area. The area has lots of courses but this is one of the best. We had a great lunch and great caddies, good weather with a bunch of wind. The only negative I could possibly mention is that there isn't much in the way of good merchandise in the proshop. Given the remarkable course, most Yanks would buy a good souvenir and especially a jersey if they had a better selection.

2. Blackstone Clydesdales & Dig-a-Day Experience

Rigg Road Blackstone Farm, Cumnock KA18 3JJ Scotland +44 7785 522735 [email protected] http://www.blackstoneclydesdales.co.uk
Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 372 reviews

Blackstone Clydesdales & Dig-a-Day Experience

FUN TIME. Ride our Clydesdale Horses or Jump on a BIG yellow Digger for some operating fun. There is always something to do on the farm enjoy interacting with our Clydesdale Horses, Heilan Coos, Alpacas and Mischievous Donkeys while meeting all the farm animals giving you an insight into their lives. The experience is tailored to suit you. Try your hand at riding or driving our Clydesdale Heavy Horses, grooming, mucking out, tacking up, bareback riding, herding on horseback, walking and feeding all the animals. This is a very individual experience and will vary depending on you requirements and weather.NO EXPERIANCE REQUIRED.WHY NOT try Something Different - the 'BIG TOY' experience at DIG-a-day. Operate a mini to 14Ton digger or big yellow JCB Tractor, putting your coordination skills to the test in challenges set. OR MIX IT UP - Combining DIG-a-Day and Blackstone Clydesdales in one experience.Great for all the family for children and adults alike. NO DRIVING LICENCE REQUIRED.

Reviewed By G4725DTandrewh - Exeter, United Kingdom

We had an utterly fantastic experience riding these wonderful horses on Ayr beach, helped by a beautifully sunny day. John and his team were brilliant - ensuring we were safe, but enabling us to have a thrilling 2-hour ride. I would definitely recommend.

3. Culzean Castle and Country Park

Maybole KA19 8LE Scotland +44 1655 884455 [email protected] http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Culzean-Castle-and-Country-Park/
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,378 reviews

Culzean Castle and Country Park

This glorious 260ha estate was once the playground of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis – a man who was keen to impress with his wealth and status. Opulent to the extreme, the park is planted with conifers and beech, sculpted around miles of sandy coastline dotted with caves, and finished off with a Swan Pond, an ice house, flamboyant formal gardens and fruit-filled glasshouses. The castle itself is perched on the Ayrshire cliffs, incorporating everything the earl could wish for in his country home. It was designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century and is filled to the turrets with treasures that tell the stories of the people who lived here.

Reviewed By Trip238396

Lovely country walks, fresh air, scenery, an extensive variety of flaura, fauna within a well managed and maintained country park, on the South Ayrshire coast.

4. Scottish Maritime Museum

Linthouse Building Harbour Road The Linthouse, Irvine KA12 8BT Scotland +44 1284 278283 [email protected] https://www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org/
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 242 reviews

Scottish Maritime Museum

The Scottish Maritime Museum is based in the west of Scotland,with sites in Irvine and Dumbarton. At these two sites, the Museum holds an important nationally recognised collection, encompassing a variety of historic ships, artefacts, shipbuilding machinery, machine tools, and fascinating personal items.Many of these exhibits can be found inside the Linthouse Building in Irvine, a unique Grade A listed, 19th-century historic building known as the Linthouse Engine Shop 'Cathedral of Engineering and at the Denny Tank in Dumbarton, the world's first commercial ship model experiment tank.

Reviewed By 7hamishh - Ayr, United Kingdom

What a wonderfull museum, what an interesting visit. We spent hours wandering and had a lovely guided tour with Abi. She was informative and we shared stories of living in a tenement. We are from Ayrshire but did not appreciate the history of Irvine harbour. The museum itself had great exhibits, each with good photos and explanations of the role Scotland played in revolutionising world shipping. The atmosphere changed as the evening outside darkened, wonderfull. We will be back. Irvine harbour are itself is so intersesting with bars, cafes and an Arts Centre. The Puffer Cafe was welcoming with a doorman opening the door for us. 5 star day.

5. Rozelle Park

Alloway, Ayr Scotland +44 300 123 0900 http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/parks/parks-and-open-spaces/rozelle.aspx
Excellent
55%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 203 reviews

Rozelle Park

Reviewed By 892trines - Maybole, United Kingdom

Lovely place for a walk and the cafe is just the best! Really good coffee and the excellent food and cakes. Can highly recommend. Gallery very interesting too.

6. Eglinton Country Park

Irvine KA12 8TA Scotland +44 1294 551776 http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/EglintonPark
Excellent
56%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 330 reviews

Eglinton Country Park

Reviewed By O3824YNjanetr

Eglinton park is a lovely place to go walking and running in. There are lots of paths and interesting things to see. Follow it up with a visit to the cafe for tea/coffee and one of their cakes.

7. Dumfries House

Dumfries House Dumfries House Estate Auchinleck, New Cumnock KA18 2NJ Scotland +44 1290 425959 http://www.dumfries-house.org.uk/
Excellent
80%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 864 reviews

Dumfries House

Reviewed By Kirkcaldylad - North Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

We have been visiting Dumfries House since soon after HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, with a little help from others rescued the house, contents and estate for the nation. With each visit we are delighted to see how the restoration of the house has changed so that a tour (guided) is always newly enlightening as the guides are so informed and the restoration and development are painstaking and progressive. On this visit we thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas candlelit Festive Tour and Feast, a pleasant dinner in the library. The estate itself has also changed over our many visits . Gone are dilapidated outbuildings and muddy fields and a tumbled down walled garden. The Adam Georgian bridge is restored; a new Chinese style bridge based on early 20th century plans for such a bridge adds to the walks; the Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden is stunning. I could go on as so much has been built or restored using traditional skills by apprentices taught these skills on the estate as part of the Prince's Trust. The walks, the Arboretum and the new stone and wood buildings are an absolute pleasure on a wintry sunny day. And the Coach House Cafe is a welcoming place to relax.

8. Dalgarven Mill

Kilwinning KA13 6PL Scotland +44 1294 552448 [email protected] http://www.dalgarvenmill.org.uk/index.html
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 185 reviews

Dalgarven Mill

No longer "Ayrshire's hidden gem" our four stars should tell you we are punching above our weight! Fabulous historic buildings, riverside walks, great freshly prepared food, antiques and an idyllic rural site, set us apart from the ordinary.

Reviewed By TwinkleyToes

We visited today and went straight to the cafe where we had tea and a scone served by Ewan and his Granny. Then went through to the costume museum where we met Bob Ferguson whose family had worked the mill. Got a 'potted' history from him and a map and information. Absolutely well worth a visit, Bob's insight to set up and save the mill as a working museum has to be commended. He was fascinating to listen to. The tribute to his dad's war service, one of the last millers, is quite is quite poignant and special. The tools and equipment brought back memories to this 70s child. We will be back. Thank you

9. The Cook School Scotland

7 Moorfield North Industrial Park Crosshouse, Kilmarnock KA2 0FE Scotland +44 1563 550008 [email protected] http://www.cookschool.org
Excellent
78%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 245 reviews

The Cook School Scotland

The Cook School Scotland is the ultimate destination to experience new tastes and try different cuisines. With over 15 different themed classes, and new classes being added all the time, we’re sure there’s a class to suit every taste. Our Head Chef Stuart and his team make cooking fun, stress free and informative. We have a variety of 'hands on' cookery courses, as well as our relaxed Demo & Dine evenings where you can sit back, relax and watch our chefs do the hard work. From the minute you step through the door you will grasp our professional and friendly approach, we're here to make sure you have an experience which exceeds all of your expectations. With the best chefs, the finest quality produce (locally sourced where possible), and a state of the art kitchen, you can rest assured that you will enjoy your time with us. From individuals, to group bookings, private dining and team building events, the Cook School is the perfect venue to enjoy a unique food and drink experience.

Reviewed By seonaidc598

Some friends and I did the cook school @ home class last night and it was great! The Chef Stewart explained everything really well and answered all the questions clearly, all the ingredients were lovely and fresh, the portions were very generous and the food tasted amazing. Really good value for money and a great night in with friends! Also now have a 3 course dinner party meal I can recreate!

10. Spier's School Grounds

Barrmill Road, Beith Scotland
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Spier's School Grounds

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