10 Interesting Things To Do Near Craig Tara

Craig Tara beach with 2 people playing in the sand

Are you looking for things to do near Craig Tara?

Craig Tara is a popular holiday park in Scotland with both caravans for rent and sale.

Craig Tara is one of Haven’s largest holiday parks with plenty of activities to keep you entertained on-site.

But if you want to explore some of the surrounding areas near Craig Tara there are plenty of options to keep you busy.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or want to explore some of the local history, there’s something for everyone near Craig Tara Holiday Park.

Disclaimer: As an affiliate partner, we might earn from qualifying purchases – any links on this page that go to a holiday park booking platform might earn us a commission if you make a purchase. This is at no additional cost to you.


1. Craig Tara Beach

  • Distance from the park: Just by the park
  • Travel time: 1-minute walk
things to do near Craig Tara
Craig Tara Beach, Haven Holidays

Just a minute’s walk from the holiday park, Craig Tara Beach is a mix of sand and rock pools teeming with marine wildlife at low tide.  

Popular for long walks, with wonderful views towards the Isle of Arran over the Firth of Clyde, the beach is a popular day out for families with children. 

Walking northeast, you´ll reach historic Greenan Castle, and southwest, dramatic Dunure Castle.

  • Sands and rockpools, buckets and spades, fishing nets
  • Scenic coastal walks, spectacular sunsets
  • Amusement Park nearby

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: Ayr, Scotland KA7 4LB
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

2. Heads of Ayr Farm Park

  • Distance from the park: 0.3 miles
  • Travel time: 5-minute walk
Heads of Ayr Farm Park
Photo Credit: Heads of Ayr Farm Park Facebook Page

Just a 5-minute walk from Craig Tara, there’s fantastic, all-weather fun for all ages at award-winning Heads of Ayr Farm Park.

This is a lively day out for families, with a host of stimulating, interactive activities to keep the kids amused all day, and places to eat and drink:

  • Trampolines, jumping pillows
  • Covered Wild ´n´ Play adventure barn: two-storey soft play area, 3 slides, Stables coffee bar for snacks, Rooster Restaurant for meals and drinks
  • Quad bikes-electric quads for adults and children over 12
  • Train rides
  • Little Critters Animal Barn: Meet a variety of small animals, rabbits, mice, birds, guinea pigs, birds
  • Animal zone: llamas, ponies, goats, donkeys, monkeys, meerkats, lemurs, Ralph the Camel, and Troy the Tapir!
  • Bumper boats, water fights
  • Electric tractors and diggers
  • Giant play park and sandpit
  • Jumping pillows

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily (March to October)
  • Address: Dunure Road, Alloway by Ayr, Scotland KA7 4LD
  • Standard Adult Price: £15.50

3. Ayr Seafront Park

  • Distance from the park: 3.1 miles
  • Travel time: 8-minute drive
Playpark

Located on the seafront less than 3 miles along the coast from Craig Tara, this fun, free play park is a great family day out.

The popular seaside town of Ayr is about 3 miles away with amusements, shops, and restaurants. 

There’s a fantastic range of equipment to keep the children amused in a large, grassy area perfect for picnics and ballgames, and the park is right next to the beautiful, sandy beach:

  • Beachside location, sandcastles, sunbathing, walks
  • Excellent selection of rides, huge climbing frame
  • Giant slides. swings and roundabouts
  • Pirate boat
  • Sandpit
  • Beautiful scenery and views
  • Seaside cafes

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: The Low Green Seafront, Ayr KA8 8BH
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

4. Greenan Castle

  • Distance from the park: 1.7 miles
  • Travel time: 6-minute drive
Greenan Castle
Greenan Castle

The ruins of historic Greenan Castle perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop on the cliff edge overlooking beautiful, secluded, sandy Ayr beach. 

Less than 2 miles from Craig Tara, Greenan Castle is steeped in clan history and enjoys spectacular views across the sea and along the coast.  

  • Historic, peaceful location
  • Beach walks, dog walks, horse riding
  • Stunning views
  • A walk along the beach to the picturesque fishing village of Dunure

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: Ayr KA7 4JU
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

5. Burns National Heritage Park

  • Distance from the park: 2.5 miles
  • Travel time: 6-minute drive
Burns National Heritage Park
Burns National Heritage Park (Photo Credit: National Trust for Scotland)

Dedicated to Robert Burns, Scotland´s famous bard, Robert Burns, this is a delightful day out in beautiful grounds less than 3 miles from Craig Tara. 

Burns´ humble cottage, preserved unchanged since his day, is an important part of Scottish heritage. 

Set in an acre of delightful, landscaped gardens, woodland walks, a museum, and a café, a play area are among the many activities to enjoy.

The museum has more than 5,000 artefacts, including original manuscripts, laser disc technology, theatrical effects, and interactive audio-visual presentations.

  • Burns Cottage, kitchen garden
  • Monument with views overlooking Alloway
  • Walk to Alloway Auld Kirk over historic Brig o´Doon
  • Museum café: sample traditional Scottish dishes: haggis, neeps, tatties
  • Gardens, churchyard, monument, bridge
  • Children´s playground
  • Woodland walks, nature spotting
  • Education Centre
  • Buggy service
  • Gift shop

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM (Cottage only up to 4 PM), Daily
  • Address: Alloway, Ayr KA7 4PQ
  • Standard Adult Price: £11.50

6. Treasure Trails

  • Distance from the park: 3.7 miles
  • Travel time: 10-minute drive to Burns Statue
Robert Burns Monument
Robert Burns Monument

Treasure Trails are a simple-to-follow, creative, self-guided themed way to go exploring. 

Solve 20-25 clues along the way as you enjoy the scenic locations, to complete your mission and discover the treasure.  

Go at your own pace – Treasure Trails are usually approximately 2 miles long and take around 2 hours to complete.

Choose your location and download your 8-page Trail guide for £9.99 for a family or group of 2-5 persons.  

Ayr trails begin at Burns Statue on a circular route taking in many attractions including the Auld Kirk, the Citadel Walls, and the seafront. 

Be detectives on a choice of Treasure Trails near Craig Tara: 

  • Prestwick: Spy Mission
  • Toon:  Treasure Hunt
  • Alloway: Detective Mystery
  • Ayrshire:  Detective Mystery
  • Suitable for all ages, with or without children
  • Monthly £100 prize draw for correct answers
  • Freephone service for extra clues

7. Ayr Beach

  • Distance from the park: 3.1 miles
  • Travel time: 8-minute drive
Ayr Beach
Ayr Beach

Award-winning Ayr Beach on the west coast is one of the finest beaches in Scotland. 

A popular destination for days out, sandy Ayr beach is perfect for sandcastles and paddling, with a large grassy area for picnics and play. 

There are beautiful views across the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig.

  • Putting green, crazy golf
  • Children´s play area
  • Pirate Pete´s family entertainment venue: indoor soft play, laser games
  • Café
  • Sustrans National Cycle Route 7: The seafront is wonderful for cycling
  • Fishing trips from the harbour: for skate, cod, haddock
  • Birdwatching, wildlife

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: Ayr KA8 8BH
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

8. Dunure Castle

  • Travel time: 6-minute drive
Dunure Castle
Dunure Castle

Once the seat of Mary Queen of Scots and the fortress of Clan Kennedy, the romantic ruins of 13th-century Dunure Castle sit high on the cliffs overlooking the beach. 

A stunning location for the series Outlander, there are breath-taking views, across the Firth of Clyde to Arran and Bute and, on a good day, as far as the Irish coast.   

A haven for walkers, the castle is situated in the picturesque fishing village of Dunure and it´s a delightful walk down to the pretty harbour.

  • Boat trips from the harbour
  • Dunure Labyrinth- plant maze
  • BBQ pits, picnic areas
  • Dunure Inn, harbourside restaurant-top quality dining
  • Electric Brae: optical illusion when your car is rolling downhill and looks as if it´s going uphill

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: 19 Castle Road, Dunure, Ayr KA7 4LW
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

9. Culzean Castle and Country Park

  • Distance from the park: 10.4 miles
  • Travel time: 19-minute drive
Culzean Castle
Culzean Castle

10 miles drive from Craig Tara, the historic, iconic Culzean Castle overlooks the Firth of Clyde and is set in beautiful woods and parkland, rich in wildlife.

Elegant rooms filled with treasures are connected by the famous oval staircase, designed by Robert Adams. 

One of Scotland´s best-loved castles, the magnificent Culzean Castle is home to a large collection of British flintlock pistols and military swords, as well as a stunning collection of antique furniture and paintings. 

Culzean Castle is a must for history fans, and also a wonderful location packed with activities for all the family:

  • Country Park: 40 buildings, follies
  • Woods, parklands, sandy beaches, deer park, swan pond
  • Architecture and antiques
  • Adventure Cove and Wild Woodland Play areas
  • Elegant formal gardens
  • Glasshouses, fruit trees
  • Castle tearooms

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM (4:30 for some attractions), Daily
  • Address: Maybole, South Ayrshire KA19 8LE
  • Standard Adult Price: £20.00

🏰 Culzean Castle, Robert Burns Country & the Ayrshire Coast 🏰


10. Lang Scots Mile

  • Distance from the park: 3.8 miles
  • Travel time: 11-minute drive

Created in 2002 to commemorate the town’s historic connection to Robert Burns, this one-mile, picturesque walking trail stretches along the esplanades and continues south.

The walk is flat, suitable for wheelchair users and for families with prams or pushchairs.

The Lang Scots Mile runs between the car parks at Miller’s Folly on Cromwell´s Fort and Blackburn. 

Walkers of all abilities enjoy spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde to Kintyre, Cumbraes and Arran, and ice cream, of course, while you’re burning off the calories:

  • Cafes, toilets
  • Children’s play park halfway
  • Places of interest en route
  • Flat, scenic walk for all abilities

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: Ayr
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

Final Thoughts on Things To Do Near Craig Tara Holiday Park

In the shadow of Craig Tara Holiday Park, the breathtaking beauty of Ayr unveils a treasure trove of activities for every traveller.

From the serene embrace of untouched beaches to the electrifying atmosphere at the Ayr Racecourse and the deep dive into Scotland’s rich cultural past at the Robert Burns Museum, the vicinity around Craig Tara promises a myriad of experiences.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a history enthusiast, or someone simply seeking a coastal respite, this Scottish gem has something tailored for every adventurer’s heart.

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