Wild Oak Woods

Wild Oak Woods makes a great overnight stop if you’re driving the scenic South West Coastal 300, but it’s also a place to linger and enjoy strolling through the woods to the nearest country pub and restaurant (10 minutes’ walk). If you don’t want to stir from the site, join in family activities like den building or night walks in search of wildlife (both carry a small charge). When a day by the sea is called for, head for Sandyhills Bay Beach (15 minutes), and from there, pick up the coastal path to Portling (half an hour) for a wild swim. Another popular Costa del Solway beach is Rockcliffe (10 minutes’ drive), a small pocket of sand from where you can walk across to Rough Island bird sanctuary at low tide. Keen birders can also visit RSPB Mersehead (10 minutes), where you can (hopefully) spot skylarks among the sand dunes in spring and migratory waders in autumn. For more opportunities to spot wildlife, book a safari around Bainloch Deer Park (five minutes), home of red, roe and sika deer.