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Below is a list of the top attractions in and
around Ayr Town. Ayr Train Station is situated next
to Burns Statue Square, close to the top of the High
Street, main shopping street. The centre of Ayr is
the Town Hall where the High Street meets the
Sandgate. Ayr Beach is situated 1 mile west of the
train station, half of a mile west of the
Sandgate.
Ayr Bus Station is situated on the Sandgate.
Each Attraction has a Post-Code that gives a link
to a Google Map for Directions and Reviews where
possible.
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Ayr Guided Walking Tours.
Donald Kay takes you back to the 1200's to show how
the town of Ayr developed from two streets into the
Royal Burgh you see today. You will learn about Ayr's
many distinguished residents and visitors such as:
Sir William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of
Scots, Oliver Cromwell, Maggie Osborne, John Macadam
and others. Tel: 01292 287 765.
Website . Map.
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Ayr Horse Racing. Ayr
Racecourse is situated about one mile north of Ayr
town centre. This is the top racecourse in Scotland
with many popular fixtures throughout the year. The
two largest fixtures attract vast crowds from all
over the UK. These fixtures are the Scottish Grand
National jumps meeting, in April 3rd week, and the
Ayr Gold Cup flat meeting, in September 3rd week. The
Western House Hotel
at the racecourse has one of the towns most popular
restaurants.
Website . Postcode:
KA8 0JE.
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Ayr Beach runs from the
harbour for over 1 miles south. This is one of the
largest and busiest beaches in Scotland. There is
also the vast Low Green grassland that runs alongside
the beach for lazing around, family games, kiting,
putting and is used for a few events throughout the
year. The Horizon Hotel overlooks the
beach with a fine bar diner.
Postcode: KA7 1EQ . Image
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Pirate Pete's Kids
adventure play at Ayr Beach
Pirate Pete's is a large indoor and outdoor kids play
area that is extremely popular with Scotland's
largest indoor adventure play, Scotland's first mini
championship putting course. A traditional seafront
tearoom and kids outdoor fun park. Tel: 01292 265
300.
Website . KA7 1EQ . Image
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Ayr Citadel large indoor
swimming pools and leisure centre. By Ayr Beach with
Swimming Facilities at the Citadel include 3 swimming
pools. The main pool, a 25m, 6 lane pool, teaching
pool and a flexi pool with moveable floor. All pools
have disabled access and host a number of water based
activities such as: early bird and ladies only
sessions, fun kid's sessions, diving, club
activities, lessons and aqua aerobics.
Website . Postcode:
KA7 1JB.
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Waverley Paddle Steamer
trips to the southwest coast islands. The Waverley
paddle steamer steams out of Ayr to the islands of
Ailsa Craig, Cumbrae, Bute and Arran from May until
August. The Monday evening cruise around the bird
sanctuary of Ailsa Craig is extremely popular. This
is the only seagoing paddle steamer in the world. The
departure point is from Ayr Harbour, by the large
Citadel Sports Centre.
Website . Postcode:
Map.
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LABowl in Ayr town Centre
on Miller Road
Tenpin Bowling, LAzerzone, Pool, Amusements, Bar, and
American themed Bar Diner. An ideal venue for all the
family. Tel. 01292 611 511.
Website . Postcode: KA7 2AX.
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Greenan Castle by the
beach 2 miles south of Ayr centre. Greenan Castle is
a ruin on rocks at the south end of Ayr Beach built
for the Kennedy's in the 1600s. This is a popular
walk along the beach or by a path beside the beach.
The walk crosses the River Doon Millennium Bridge
where there is also a scenic riverside walk. You can
also walk past the castle out to the Heads of Ayr
Cliffs, about another mile.
Ayr to
Greenan Page . History . Map.
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River Ayr Walk. River Ayr
Walk starts at the Auld Brig or from the Auld Kirk,
both just off Ayr High Street. The walk heads east
past Ayr College into Graigie Estate. You can walk
round Craigie House and gardens. The walk can be
extended east about 1 mile further on along the river
to Dalmilling Golf Course. You can then cross Craigie
Bridge to the River Ayr Stepping Stones.
Website . Photo Tour .
Map.
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Prestwick Town on the north side
of Ayr
Prestwick is joined to Ayr with regular buses from
Ayr Bus Station. The town has a few unique shops,
restaurants, many bar diners, indoor tennis, long
sandy beach and large indoor kids play. The top
attraction is the historic Prestwick Golf Club,
situated in the town centre by the train station.
This is where the first Open was played from 1860 to
1872. You can visit the pro shop and Trophy Area for some pictures, but
you are not allowed in the clubhouse itself.
Photo Tour . Map.
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Robert Burns Birthplace
Museum on the south side of Ayr in Alloway
Village. The poet Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is
situated in Alloway Village on the south side of Ayr,
about 2 miles from Ayr centre. Alloway is one of the
most scenic places in Scotland with the Auld Brig,
Auld Church, Brig o Doon Hotel, Burns Cottage, Poets
Walk, Memorial Gardens, and the impressive new
Visitor Centre. The Brig o Doon Hotel has a good
restaurant, tea room and scenic gardens. Buses run between Ayr
and Alloway about 1 an hour.
Web Page .
Walk .
YO1 7JL . Image
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Belleisle Park & Golf
country park south side of Ayr. Belleisle Park is a
country estate on the south side of Ayr with two
extremely popular golf courses, Belleisle and
Seafield. The park also has a scenic walled garden, kids play, grass
leisure area in front of the hotel, woodland walks,
deer park and tea room. It is a two mile walk from
Ayr centre to the park or there are regular buses
from Ayr Bus station 1 each hour and drops off or
pick up at the entrance of Rozelle Estate and
Belleisle Estate east entrance, just before Alloway
Burns Centre.
AS Page
. Website . KA7 4DU . Image
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Rozelle Park park and Art
Gallery south side of Ayr. Rozelle Park is a country
estate on the south side of Ayr with scenic walks,
ponds, sculpture garden, tea room and The Maclaurin
Galleries are housed in what were the stables and
servants quarters. Rozelle Park is just under two
miles south of Ayr centre. Buses leave Ayr Bus
station 1 each hour and drops off or pick up at the
entrance of Rozelle Estate, just before Alloway Burns
Centre.
AS Page .
KA7 4NQ . Rear Image
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Heads of Ayr Farm Park 5
miles south of Ayr centre. This is a popular park
with locals, visitors and coach tours with almost 50
different types of animal, each with its own
particular charm. The park is packed with fantastic
activities like indoor and outdoor play areas, an
aerial runway, thrilling ringo sledging, tunnel land
and the combine castle. Regular buses run between Ayr
Bus Station and Dunure with a stop at the farm park.
Tel: 01292 441 210.
Website . Postcode:
KA7 4LD.
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Dunure Castle about 7
miles south of Ayr centre. Dunure Castle is situated
at the scenic coastal village of Dunure on the A719
road. This is another Kennedy ruin from the 1300s
with an interesting history. Dunure has a popular Inn
for meals, cafe and Kennedy Park with a kids play
area and large play area for families. The rocky
beach is a popular place to explore. The Bus 361 runs about 1
an hour between Ayr Bus Station and Dunure.
History and
Images . Map . Image
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Croy Brae/Electric Brae 10
miles south by Dunure. Croy Brae is situated on the
A719 coastal road with views over the sea and Culzean
Castle. This part of the road looks as if going up
hill, is going down hill. It is so confusing, many
people put their cars in neutral then wait to see
which way it runs. There is a car park in the middle
of the hill with a large stone with inscriptions
trying to explain the illusion.
Stone
Inscriptions . Map . Image
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Culzean Castle situated
about 13 miles south of Ayr. Culzean Castle is one of
the most impressive castles in Scotland. This was the
main castle of the Kennedy's for centuries until they
handed it over to the National Trust for Scotland in
1945. The castle grounds are huge with woodland
walks, a massive walled garden, and deer park. Bus
No 60/360 runs
between Ayr Bus Station and Maidens and Girvan
dropping off and picking up at Culzean Estate
entrance, about one an hour. There is about a 1 mile
walk from the bus stop at the estate entrance to the
castle.
History
Images . KA19 8LE . Image
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Turnberry situated about
17 miles south of Ayr
Turnberry is one of the most scenic places in
Scotland. There is roadside parking between Turnberry
and Maidens with a signed path through the golf
courses to Turnberry Lighthouse, built on the ruins
of Turnberry Castle, birthplace of King Robert the
Bruce. There is a snack bar at the Lighthouse with
great views, although a little expensive. There is
also a monument on a hill by the Lighthouse that is
popular for visits, for airmen that lost their lives
at Turnberry Airfield during WWII. Buses run between
Ayr Bus Station and Maidens, Turnberry and Girvan,
about one an hour.
History
and Images . Map . Image
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Kirkoswald Village
situated 13 miles south of Ayr. Kirkoswald is popular
for the history of the poet Robert Burns as this is
where all the characters for his poem Tam O Shanter
lived, with many of their graves in the old church
yard. The village is also popular for the House of
Burns bar diner and tearoom. Also the Whiskey
Experience where you can find top Scottish Whisky and
pour your own bottle from a cask. Regular buses run
between Ayr Bus Station, Kirkoswald and Girvan, about
one an hour.
History and
Images . Map . Image
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Straiton Village situated
14 miles southeast of Ayr. Straiton is a scenic small
village popular for its walking and hiking routes,
especially the hike to the Hunter Monument at 1,086ft
above the village. The village has a cafe and inn for
snacks and drinks. Buses run between Ayr Bus Station
and Straiton.
Photo
Tour . KA19 7NF . Image
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Dumfries House situated 14
miles east of Ayr
Dumfries House is one of Britain's top stately homes
in 2,000 acres of land. This stunning 18th-Century
house has an unrivalled collection of original
furniture, something for everyone. Tel: 01290 425
959.
Photo
Tour . KA18 2NJ . Image
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Scottish Dark Sky
Observatory 16 miles east of Ayr. The Scottish
Dark Sky Observatory is situated in the hills by Loch
Doon on the Craigengillan Estate. Open to the public
with some of the darkest skies in the UK, and two
large telescopes to observe the night sky. Night
visits have to be pre-booked. Tel: 01292 551 118.
Website . KA6 7PZ.
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Loch Doon about 17 miles
east of Ayr. Loch Doon is about 7 miles long with a
cafe, castle ruin to explore, osprey's nesting, used
by many canoeists, fishermen, has a scenic gorge
trail, and hikes from 800ft to 2,600ft, all with
great views over the loch.
Photo Page .
Map . Image
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