Set on the edge of Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries, Hensol Estate Holidays is a peaceful site that offers dog-friendly camping and glamping. The site provides electric and non electric grass pitches as well as a selection of glamping pods. Kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and cycling are all available onsite, making it the perfect family adventure. Or, simply relax around the fire pit gazing up at the stars with your loved ones.

Runner up of Best Campsite Central and Lowland Scotland in our 2024 Camping and Glamping Awards

Set on the edge of Galloway Forest National Park, 20 minutes to Castle Douglas

Family and dog friendly with kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and cycling all available onsite!

Off-grid, almost wild camping with hot showers, plus two lochs nearby and plenty of walks

About Hensol Estate Holidays

Set on the edge of Galloway Forest Park and nestled between Woodhall Loch and Loch Ken, this quiet dark sky campsite is as close as you can get to wild camping without forgoing a hot shower. The site is off-grid and offers a selection of grass pitches, some unmarked without electric for free-pitching and others measuring a spacious 10m x 7m with electric hook up points, all suitable for tents and tourers. If you don't want the hassle of hammering in the tent pegs, you also have the option to book one of the heated glamping pods. The Bunk Bed glamping pod is great for a family of four with two bunk beds and two fold out beds. The Stargazer and Apex glamping pods sleep up to five with fold out beds. There is also a microwave, kettle, toaster, plus a fire pit outside. Please note, that all pods contain an electric meter which takes £1 and £2 coins and that all the pods are pet free apart from three of the Apex glamping pods. Bedding is not provided in any of the pods, so please bring your own. Shared facilities are just a short walk away. This wild, spacious site is perfect for adventurous friends, families, couples or solo travellers looking to reconnect with nature and explore all that Southern Scotland has to offer. You will be just 20 minutes from Castle Douglas and a 40 minute drive to Dumfries. Sit back and unwind against a backdrop of rolling hills and wildlife noises, or throw yourself into the onsite activities. Options include following the river walks that take you to RSPB private bird hides overlooking the Ken-Dee Marsh reserve, hiring kayaks, paddle boards or canoes, fishing in Woodhall Loch or cycling around Galloway Forest and finding hidden picnic spots. Thanks to the site's convenient location, you can reach a number of beautiful beaches within 30 minutes, such as Cardoness Beach. Exploring Kenmure Castle makes a great family day out, only ten minutes away. Four-legged friends are permitted on all camping and touring pitches, as well as in three of the Apex glamping pods. The other cabins do not allow dogs inside. Firepits are available to borrow on a first come first served basis, or bring your own! Perfect for nights spent gazing up at the starry night sky, so don't forget the marshmallows. Please note, that BBQs and fire pits must be raised from the ground to not cause any damage to the grass.

Hensol Estate Holidays is open from 29/03 to 27/10.

Best Campsite

Facilities and amenities

Onsite facilities include hot showers and toilet and a dishwashing area. There are bikes, fishing equipment, kayaks, paddleboards and canoes available for hire. Lessons are also available.

WiFi access is available, but limited around the information hut on site.

There's a small shop selling essentials in Mossdale, just five minutes away, and the nearest pub is the Thistle Inn in Crossmicheal Village, 15 minutes away.

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Adult only

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Allow commercial vans

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Allow pets on site

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Bike hire

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Café / restaurant

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Communal BBQ

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Disabled facilities

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Drinking water

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Electric hookups

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Entertainment

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Family friendly

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Fires allowed

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Fishing

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Games room

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Glamping

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Golf

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Horse riding

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Hot tub

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Kids club

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Kids playground

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Laundry

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Near beach

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Near pub

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Open year round

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Peaceful

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RV pitches

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Shop

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Showers

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Swimming pool

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Toilet

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TV room

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Vineyard

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Water hookups

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Watersports

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W.C. disposal

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WiFi


Map and address

Park address

Hensol Estate Holidays,

Hensol Estate, Mossdale, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, DG7 2NE

Coordinates

55.0055, -4.0808 | NX 66 69

View on Google Maps

Hensol Estate Holidays is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet


There are 63 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

34 x Non Electric Grass Pitches

Max 5 people

Non electric grass pitch for tents and tourers. Pitches are unmarked.

7 x Electric Grass Pitches

Max 5 people

Grass pitches with 16 amp electric hook up, for tents and tourers. Pitches are 10m x 7m.

10 x Electric Grass and Gravel Pitches

Max 5 people

Electric grass and gravel pitch for tents, trailer tents, campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Pitches are 10m x 7m.


Hensol Estate Holidays reviews

4.85 /5

33 reviews

94%

would recommend

Overall
4.85
Location
4.91
Value for money
4.88
Service
4.91
Facilities
4.79
Cleanliness
4.79

"The location was perfect for what I wanted"

Kazimierz Z - Aug 2024

"Truly one of the best stays I have ever stayed in"

Geraldine W - Aug 2024

"The fire pits are a lovely touch and if clear, the stars are spectacular"

Stephen M - Aug 2024

"It truly felt like a slice of paradise"

Andrew F - Jun 2024

"The owners, who went out of their way to make sure that everyone on site was well looked after"

Rebecca D - May 2024


Nice, affordable and cosy place to stay

Monthawat T

0

0

Camping Pod - Apex Camping Pods (Dog Friendly)Sep 2024

4 of us stayed in the Apex hut, very nice and cosy, the appliances were working and really adds to the stay. Facilities provided (e.g. wash room, shower) were very clean and maintained well. Not sure if it was just our hut, but the bin wasn't emptied and still had previous occupant's stuff - other than that, place was clean.

Amazing location

Femke M

0

0

Motorhome - Electric Grass and Gravel PitchesSep 2024

Amazing location within a very quiet estate, beautiful nature all around and very good walks. The site itself is basic, but clean and well organised. We hope to come back!

Great stay

Lisa M

0

0

Camping Pod - Apex Camping Pods (Dog Friendly)Sep 2024

We booked a pod for a one night stay at this lovely estate. It was very reasonably priced, was in a great location, closest shop we could find was around 10 mins away. Lovely spacious site, dog friendly and very calm. The toilets were clean, just a very good relaxed vibe here. Each pod had a fire pit, and put £2 in the meter that was plenty for electricity and heating (which we didn't need to use). I was sent location and entry details which were so straight forward. I was able to park the car at the side of the pod, and the pods had enough space between for privacy from other guests. On walking to the toilets in the morning, everyone was greeted with "good morning", which was lovely. I messaged the owner in the morning for some local advice and she was able to give me a full itinerary of things to do locally that I wouldn't have known about, which was amazing. There was an information booklet in the pod that explained everything and had some local sites or places of interest. We went round to Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken, which was about a 10 minute drive where the kids had lots of activities to choose from. Was very reasonable in price, breath-taking scenery and had a little café, which was all dog friendly. Will 100% be returning here, myself, 2 daughters aged 10 & 11 and puppy had a great time.

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FAQ

Guests can check-in between 1pm and 9pm for camping and touring. Glamping check-in is between 3pm and 9pm. Check out is due by 11am for pitches and 10am for glamping on your final day.

Dogs are welcome to join you for your stay, just not in the pet free pods. Up to two dogs are welcome per pitch/unit. Please be advised all "Breed Specific Legislation" (BSL) dogs are not allowed, including XL Bullys.

BBQs and fire pits are allowed, just please ensure they are raised from the ground. Ground campfires are not permitted.

Electric hook ups are 16 amp.


Set next to the River Dee and nestled between Loch Ken and Woodhall Loch there are plenty of water-based activities to do onsite! Hire a kayak, paddleboard or canoe and paddle round the loch. Or, bring your fishing rod and see what you can catch! For nature lovers the site is near RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve, to spot geese and Kites.

There are plenty of cycle routes that take you through the heart of Galloway Forest and to secluded rockpools and rivers such as Otters Pool, or to nearby villages. For good food and historical attractions, visit Castle Douglas, only 20 minutes away.

For a family day out head to Ernespie Farm (20 minutes) an adventure park with indoor soft play, farm animals, pedal karts and slides. Enjoy a sweet treat and a coffee at the Farmhouse Kitchen too! The Cocobean Company (20 minutes) holds chocolate workshops and soft play, a great rainy day activity for all the family.

Other activities include:

  • Mossedale (5 minutes)
  • Kenmure Castle (10 minutes)
  • Gatehouse of Fleet (25 minutes)
  • Cardoness Beach (30 minutes)
  • Dumfries (45 minutes)
The listing for Hensol Estate Holidays was last updated on December 20th, 2024 at 2:10 PM

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