Things To Do In Ayrshire, Woodcroft Cottages

What to Do in Ayrshire

Here are suggestions beyond the well-known attractions of Culzean castle and Burns Cottage.

What’s On Ayrshire does a good overview of official events.
Rozelle House has good local art exhibitions + café.
Dumfries House with playgrounds, a real labyrinth with people high hedges, walled gardens, Japanese pagodas and pooh-stick-playing bridges over rivers
Wellington Café ice cream – real Italian ice cream. Take them down to the seafront and watch the sunset.
Buy organic vegetables at Seafield Stores (15 min walk from the Ayr cottages) sourced from a local producer.
Dalmellington Observatory for star gazing. It seems the track to the Observatory is fairly rough!
A short walk out to Turnberry Lighthouse (there is a café there, but it is supposed to be for golfers). We asked for a coffee and were allowed in! Park on the main road in front of the hotel and pick up the concrete road that winds its way through the golf course to the lighthouse.

Home for Thai eating, not far from the Ayr Harbour flats, Prestwick direction.
Ellisland Hotel and The Fox and Willow both close to the Ayr cottages.
Ayr India on the sea front and one of the few restaurants with a sea view.
The Tudor – good traditional food in a non fussy atmosphere
The Terrace (Beresford Terrace) which is more modern/formal.
Prestwick probably has the liveliest night life with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants.
Troon – The Oyster Bar

Dobbies Garden Centre, The Burns Centre, Culzean Castle
Posh Fish and Chips at the Wee Hurrie Troon
Belleisle Golf course for full breakfast, brunch or lunch in a lovely airy café next to the golf course

We never get bored of walking along Ayr beach to the Heads of Ayr, but here are some activities for a bit of a change events.
A feel of the Highlands within easy reach of Ayr: Straiton Walk starts to feel very rugged, overlooking the Galloway Hills south Ayrshire! Full list of walks
Walk Ayr to Dunure at low tide and bus back (also an exit at Heads of Ayr where you can pick up the bus back to Ayr). Drops you back at the top of Midton Road.
Walk Croy beach to Maidens through Culzean castle (no entry fee this way)
Cycle path Ayr to Troon (rent bikes at Ayr train station) and have lunch at the Wee Hurrie (see above). See full list of cycle paths
Affordable golfing in south Ayrshire. Belleisle course is closest to the Ayr cottages:
Climb Goat Fell, Arran. Jump on the train in Ayr, get on the boat at Ardrossan, bus to the start of the walk and back again. Eat on the ferry, which does hot breakfast and suppers.
Cycle round Milport – put the bikes on the train at Ayr, get the boat at Largs, 2 hour cycle around the island, boat back, ice cream at Nardini’s in Largs or fish and chips, then Train back (watch out short change over at Kilwinning on the way home, requiring carrying bikes over a bridge).

Scoot or bike along Ayr promenadel events.
Ayr Council’s holiday activities – a lot of them for just 1gbp/hour and don’t require you to be resident!!!! Dive, inflatable fun, kayak taster, netball, bouncy castle, squash, multi sports, athletics, archery. You don’t need to be locally resident to sign up.
Picnic at the Swan pond, Culzean, then go swimming in the sea (head Maidens way and take first path down to the beach)ivities/ up.
Ayr Farm Park -lots of animals, fun park & mini car circuit
Lido (open air heated pool) at New Cumnock, combined with a picnic in Dumfries House.
Glasgow Transport Museum – it’s free and great fun
Belleisle Park has the best play park, particularly on windy days when the Ayr front playground is too windy
Belleisle golf training during summer holidays. 2 hours each morning for a week.
Prestwick Sailing club run sailing courses during school holidays.

Ice skating rinks at Ayr Irvine & Kilmarnock
Glasgow indoor climbing and skiing
Ayr cinema
Ayr Ten Pin Bowling
Ayr, Prestwick and Troon all have public baths with inflatables at certain times.