Brighouse Bay Holiday Park

If the kids say they’re bored at Brighouse Bay Holiday Park at Kirkcudbright on the Dumfries and Galloway coast, you might want to send them home.

Sublime sea views, heaps of on-site activities, six fishing ponds, a private beach and around 1200 acres of also-sublime countryside walks on the doorstep are all here all year round, tucked on a secluded and peaceful peninsula with views over the Irish Sea – this is possibly the most viewsome round of golf you’ll ever play (before you read on, see for yourself from the site pics). It's pretty spectacular by night too, as the setting among Galloway's dark skies means the stargazing here is stellar: the subdued lighting on site means you can see it all at its best.

Pretty much everything you could want is on site or very close by: if golf at the 18-hole Brighouse Bay Holiday Park championship course or free coarse fishing doesn’t float your boat, wander over the working livestock farm, along the coast (camera very much essential), through acres’ worth of signposted hikes through the local woodland… or launch a kayak from the bay’s all-tide slipway or a boat onto the pond, take the kids for a pony trek, angle for sea fish from the rocks or just sit and drink in the views with a drink from the on-site lounge bar…

If the weather should be less than co-operative during your stay, stay undercover at the park’s Jacuzzi, steam room, fitness room, indoor pool with separate splashing area for toddlers or indoor amusement room with mini 10-pin bowling; once the weather starts co-operating again, roll along to the all-weather bowling green. (Weather forecasts, news and essentials like Facebook and the like can be checked via the free wifi at the Brighouse Bay Holiday Park café.)

Also on site – yes, there’s more – the well-stocked shop keeps guests sorted for essentials and the licensed bistro serves hot and cold meals and snacks to have there or in the family lounge bar (both are licensed).

Environmentally-friendly and award-winning Brighouse is teeming with wildlife and has been set up to have a country park feel. This extends to picking your pitch wherever tickles your fancy: by the up to date clean facilities, beside the play area to keep out a beady eye, or tucked away in a quiet corner of the touring field. Wardens are on site if you need any help or info during your stay.

Also on site are two amenities blocks with ensuite cubicles for families, plus separate ladies and gents' sections in the larger block. One block is open in winter and is centrally heated; both have laundry and dishwashing facilities.

Feeling just a tad bamboozled by all the options on offer? Make a visit to reception your first stop, where staff can offer suggestions on what to do and see in the surrounding area while you stock up on leaflets, maps and gifts.