Sands of Luce is a multi award-winning holiday park in Stranraer, south-west Scotland. Home to a range of wonderful holiday homes and caravans, we are the perfect family holiday destination in Dumfries and Galloway.
A family break in Scotland is best celebrated when everybody gets involved and makes the most of the day. With our handy guide, there’s something for everyone and a chance for you all to spend some quality time together. Stranraer and surrounding areas are filled with unsurpassed beauty, and with so much to do, we help you plan the ultimate family day out!
With so many wonderful options to choose from, where do you start?! We’ve come up with a few suggestions for how to keep the family entertained all day long. The days are getting warmer and lighter, and Summer is the best time to enjoy the fresh sea air and stunning coastlines. Plus, it won’t cost you a fortune!
A mix of adrenaline fuelled fun and relaxation makes the ultimate family day out, and everything is within a short distance from Sands of Luce.
Take a stroll to the Lighthouse bar for breakfast
When: Between 8 am – 10 am
The Lighthouse Bar is our very own newly developed on-site restaurant and bar. Take a lovely early morning walk along the beach to the Lighthouse and fill up your bellies for the exciting day ahead.
This contemporary beachside venue is the perfect place to start your morning. With a choice of delicious breakfast meals to set you all up for the exciting day ahead, there’s a selection to suit any need or dietary requirement – from a pot of warming coffee, croissants, bacon rolls, all day breakfasts, poached eggs on sourdough, fruit smoothies, buttery pancakes and more.
Spend a couple of hours relaxing on the beach
When: Between 10 am and 12 pm
In the summertime, our vast, sandy beaches really are second to none. We are home to a range of exposed and sheltered beaches, and whether you’re in the mood to sunbathe, surf or walk, there’s a destination for you.
Our favourite beach is- you guessed it, Sands of Luce Bay! We sit right on the beach with golden sand stretching for 7 miles! On a still, summer day when the shallow water is the warmest, you can paddle your toes, build sandcastles, read, relax and stroll.
Visit Monreith Animal World
When: Between 12 pm and 2 pm
After a lovely morning spent on the beach, it’s time to explore! Just a short drive up the coast is Monreith animal world! Here you will find adorable animals of all shapes, sizes and levels of cuteness!
Discover pigs, otters, owls, cattle, birds, peacocks, alpacas and donkeys, and catch some holiday snaps of the kids handling the fluffy guinea pigs! With 12 acres of scenic countryside, you can also take a peaceful pondside walk. What a perfect afternoon!
Wander around Portpatrick seaside town
When: Between 2 pm and 5 pm
Portpatrick is a quaint seaside town just a fifteen-minute drive from Sands of Luce. You can grab some salty chunky chips, enjoy afternoon tea at the Woodlea tea room, play games at the amusement arcades and shop for unique treasures in the lovely Smugglers Cove gift shop. Sea fishing is also a popular activity, and embarking on exciting shark hunt adventures will certainly be a hit with the children!
Alternatively, for families who’d like to get more active, you can climb the Mull of Galloway Trail. Being Scotland’s most Southerly point, this coastal path is stunning, and along the way you can visit exhibitions, walk around the nature reserve and climb the 115 steps to be rewarded with fantastic views of Scotland, Ireland, Cumbria and the Isle of Man.
Go for dinner at The Lighthouse Bar
When: Food served Between 5 and 8.30pm
No better trip than one that has gone full circle! On an early Summer evening when the sun begins to lower, it’s time to enjoy some well-deserved food after a jam-packed day. After being active for the last few hours, it’s likely that you’ll all be feeling a little peckish. Luckily, The Lighthouse Bar has become somewhat legendary for serving authentic Italian Pizza!
In the evening there is a real buzz within the Lighthouse Bar and it is the perfect place to enjoy a meal as a family Use this time not just to enjoy quality food and local beer but to talk to each other about your day, discuss what you’ve all enjoyed and start planning for your next exciting day at Sands of Luce!
Alternatively, if the children are overtired and you want to get back from your day of adventure, stop in a local shop or deli and gather some simple finger foods to take back to your cosy holiday home. You can eat together in the comfort of your holiday home and kick back with some tea, beer or wine on your decking and enjoy another cracking Galloway sunset.
Staying with Sands of Luce
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the perfect family day out. We are passionate about fantastic holiday experiences, and boast some of the best holiday homes, caravans and camping spots in Dumfries and Galloway. Your stay with us will be remembered forever.
To enquire about our range of holidays or to learn more about staying with us, please contact us today.