Glenluce Holiday Park

The Galloway Forest has been named the UK’s first ever Dark Sky Park - the lack of light pollution means that over 7,000 stars are visible on a cloudless night - and its 300 miles of trails should keep even the keenest of walkers and cyclists busy. A huge variety of sporting pursuits take place locally, from the more sedate, including fishing, golf and pony trekking, to adrenaline-pumping water and adventure sports, with some unusual options such as mountain balling on offer. Foodies will lap up the smokehouses, whisky distilleries and quality restaurants around and about, and kids can live out their own Willy Wonka fantasy making chocs at the nearby Cocoabean factory. It’s also an easy trip to Scotland’s most southerly point to scale the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, tour the bijou RSPB centre and enjoy a refresher in the coffee shop perched on the cliff edge, with views across to the Lake District and the Isle of Man.