Garlieston Club Campsite
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This is the first club site we have visited and we were very impressed.
A n immaculate and well organised site with wardens who had obviously done all they could to make it as safe as possible. We followed one of the walk routes suggested and really enjoyed ourselves. Everyone else on the site was friendly and considerate.
What a great location - beaches, rock pools,harbour, gardens, woodland and more. We were in our motorhome so only ventured out on foot but for those who are in caravans or happy to drive this site is a good base.
A great meal at The Harbour and delicious fish & chips from the van that visits on a Friday.
We had a lovely break and will return to explore more.
Bonnie Jimmy
Great to be back at our favourite site after lockdown. Just the best site to chill out after all the stress of lockdown. The site is always spotless which is all down to the hard work that the wardens ,Anne and Martin do. The only thing missing is not the usual flower display which is always brilliant. The Best. Nothing is a bother for the wardens. A lovely couple.
JIMMY DRINNAN
Reviewed on 26/07/2020 18:38
A first stay at a CAMC site
Stayed mid July 2020 just after lockdown easing. A very warm welcome from the helpful wardens who instructed what to do regarding checking in and the use of facilities. Very reassuring and felt safe. Weather was kind and the views from the pitch were excellent. Although a hardstanding site was booked there had been some serious fault with some of the EHU's on site so an equivalent grass pitch was allocated ... thankfully the grass and subsoil were in perfect condition so no problem at all. Nearby the local pub 'The Harbour Inn' was fully open and serving meals in a very well controlled and safe environment. The beach was lovely and the dogs has a great time running around and enjoying themselves between tides ... of which high tide comes in very quickly and it is a joy just to sit and watch the fast changing environment and wildlife of the sea shore and shallow bay.
All in all a brilliant site and definitely on the 'return to list' especially as it is in my home county of Dumfries and Galloway.
Well done wardens and team CAMC
nbrown5423
Reviewed on 23/07/2020 19:57
A reassuring visit
Just back from 4 nights, 5th or 6th visit. Great site - lovely coastal walks and even if the weather isn't good watching the tide come in and out is so relaxing. Highlight was the osprey flying round the bay on Tuesday. Wanted to thank the CAMC and especially the wardens for the reassuring Covid procedures. The access to the facilities worked very well - 1 person at a time here (apart from a couple of women who obviously hadn't read the signs properly and came in while I was in). We also used the Harbour Inn, food as good as ever and they are very organised regarding distancing etc. Will definitely be back later in the season. By the way - wet fish van not calling at the moment.
GillEG
Reviewed on 23/07/2020 17:12
Still our favourite site
We spent the last 4 nights of the season at Garlieston (the last to leave again! )
As always the site and facilities were immaculate, and a credit to the wardens Ann and Martin, who work hard to maintain their own high standards.
We were talking to a local who said that not only are Ann and Martin good for the site but they are good for the village too. They have made the site very popular which has brought custom to local businesses. He said he wished the site could remain open all year (a sentiment we agree with)
We are already looking forward to our next visit to Garlieston and would like to thank Ann and Martin for their friendly welcome, always staying cheerful and being ready to give any assistance needed
Maralyn and Lindsay Menzies
M Menzies
Reviewed on 21/11/2019 17:42
Great site
Lovely coastal site and really enjoyed are stay. Booked initial 2 nights but stayed a third, really loved our first visit to this site.
Our favourite site
This was our fourth visit in two years to Garlieston, our favourite site. We love to pitch beside the harbour wall and watch the tide go in and out. Ann and Martin, the wardens, keep the site immaculate, with amazing floral displays, and are always willing to provide information about the area. This is a beautiful, unspoiled area of Scotland, missed by campers who carry on up the M74 instead of turning left at Gretna. Garlieston village has a great, dog friendly pub, the Harbour Inn, with good value food and friendly locals. The bus stop outside the site has regular buses to Newton Stewart, Wigtown, Whithorn and Isle of Whithorn. Our favourites are Wigtown, Scotland’s book town, with a great variety of bookshops and cafes, and Isle of Whithorn, which has an award winning pub with it’s own brewery (Five Kingdoms). There are loads of good walks from the site, which, along with the sandy beach, makes this a great site for dogs (and their staff). We are already looking forward to going back again next year.
Favourite site!
We're not the most experienced caravaners but Garlieston is our all-time favourite site. The location is beautiful and peaceful and the owners have done a superb job in every aspect of the business. The shower/toilet/washroom block is immaculate and we were particularly impressed by the information centre which has a hugely impressive array of attractions and things to do. We ate at the Harbour Inn in front of a roaring log fire enjoying freshly caught cod with all the trimmings. Garlieston may be a long drive from Bolton but we will definitely be back!
Very relaxing
I love this site at the end of our holiday for a few days of relaxation. It is lovely in the walled garden. We met lots of friendly folk and the Harbour Inn is great for food and very dog friendly - always dogs in. Tyson, our rottie, wants to go in every time he passes the door! The walks are good in the area and it is easy to get bus to Wigtown and other places.
The facilities were very clean and warm but the showers are tight for washing and could probably be updated.
Love coming here and hope to be back again.
Harbour Highlight
Visited this site for 4 nights mid October. The main attraction was the harbour view and a pitch on the railings was our aim. Upon arrival, there was one pitch by the railing available, which was perfect, despite the warden trying to convince us to take other pitches (really not sure why as no bad weather was forecast!). We were delighted with our spot. The view is magnificent at high and low tide.
Note: only the hard standing pitches were in use, so this significantly reduces the availability of railing pitches.
The site was very peaceful, but we can imagine that would be somewhat different in high season as when the grass pitches are in use and they do seem quite close together. The facilities were clean and accessible, although only two shower cubicles in each of the women and men sections is very limited for the number of units which can be accommodated. However, I do wish that the Club would upgrade these sites with a more useful/powerful hair drying facility.
Unfortunately, there was no fish and chip van on Friday night, as advertised but not notified until our arrival - perhaps we will be in luck on our next visit!
Garlieston itself is a very quiet fishing harbour village. There are two rows of cottages, one along the harbour wall and the other in Forteviot Gardens. The only eatery and watering hole is The Harbour Inn which is a 100 yard walk from the site, along the harbour wall. It offers a cosy, friendly and warm atmosphere with good food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Supported by locals and visitors, there is always plenty of banter - and its very dog friendly.
The beach is great for running the dog at low tide, as there is no dog walking/exercise facility onsite, which means that the beach is popular. There is also a WWII museum open Friday and Saturday detailing the history of Garlieston, which is well worth a pop in.
The bus stop right outside the site entrance enables easy access to Newton Stewart, Isle of Whithorn, and Wigtown. The drivers were very helpful regarding timetables, fares and pick up points etc.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Garlieston and will be returning next year before the high season starts, to explore further afield around Dumfries and Galloway.