Overview of Burrowhead Holiday Village
Burrowhead Holiday Village is a large coastal holiday park near the Isle of Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway, occupying a spectacular headland at the southern end of the Machars Peninsula. With open views across the Solway Firth towards the Isle of Man, direct access to rugged coastline and a broad range of family facilities, it offers considerably more than a simple countryside caravan park. View our full range of parks for caravan and lodge breaks in Dumfries and Galloway here,
Holiday accommodation includes self-catering caravans, lodges and two-bedroom chalets, with sea-view options particularly appealing in this exposed coastal setting. Touring caravans, motorhomes and tents are also welcome, with approximately 90 touring and camping pitches spread across different parts of the park. Both self-catering holidays and touring breaks are available throughout the year.
Families have plenty to do without leaving the park. Facilities include a seasonal 25 metre outdoor swimming pool, indoor Jacuzzi pool and sauna, toddler splash pool, outdoor playground, soft play, arcade, crazy golf, a nine-hole pitch and putt course and sports areas. Seasonal family entertainment runs through much of the year, particularly during school holidays.
The Headland Bar provides a base for live entertainment and sports, while the café, takeaway and shop add useful food and drink options during their operating seasons.
Burrowhead also stands out for its coast. Guests can walk directly along the shoreline and fish from the rocks, while the surrounding Machars Peninsula offers quiet harbours, historic Whithorn, gardens, walking, wildlife and some of southwest Scotland's least crowded coastal scenery.
Burrowhead Holiday Village at a Glance
| Location | Near Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway |
| Setting | Coastal headland overlooking the Solway Firth |
| Accommodation | Caravans, lodges and self-catering chalets |
| Chalets | 2 bedrooms, sleeping 4 to 6 |
| Touring | Approximately 90 pitches |
| Camping | Tent pitches available |
| Motorhomes | Accepted |
| Dogs | Pet-friendly accommodation and pitches available |
| Coast | Direct access to rugged coastline |
| Fishing | Sea fishing directly from the rocks |
| Outdoor Pool | 25 metre seasonal pool |
| Spa | Heated Jacuzzi pool, toddler splash pool and sauna |
| Golf | 9-hole pitch and putt, crazy golf and putting |
| Play | Outdoor playground and indoor soft play |
| Entertainment | Seasonal family entertainment and children's activities |
| Food & Drink | Seasonal bar, café and takeaway |
| Shop | On-park essentials |
| WiFi | Superfast WiFi across the park |
| Opening | Holiday accommodation and touring available year round |
| Nearest Village | Isle of Whithorn, approximately 2 miles |
Planning a Stay at Burrowhead Holiday Village
| Holiday Style | What Burrowhead Offers |
|---|---|
| Family Holidays | Pool, spa, play areas, soft play, arcade, golf and seasonal entertainment |
| Coastal Holidays | Clifftop setting, sea views and direct access to rugged coastline |
| Fishing Breaks | Sea angling directly from the rocks around the park |
| Touring Holidays | Around 90 touring and camping pitches with year-round availability |
| Camping | Grass pitches with electric and non-electric options |
| Dog Friendly Holidays | Pet-friendly self-catering accommodation and touring pitches |
| Activity Breaks | Swimming, pitch and putt, crazy golf, sports, walking and games |
| Walking Holidays | Coastal routes from the park and wider walking around the Machars |
| Year-Round Breaks | Self-catering accommodation and touring available throughout the year |
Burrowhead particularly suits families who want plenty to do at the park while retaining the feeling of being in a relatively remote part of southwest Scotland. The combination of swimming, golf, children's activities and entertainment gives rainy or quiet days more structure, while the coastline remains the dominant feature of the setting.
It is also a strong option for touring holidays. Guests can choose pitches closer to the main amenities or positions nearer the sea with views across the Solway Firth.
Why is Burrowhead Holiday Village a Great Holiday Park?
- Dramatic seafront position overlooking the Solway Firth
- Seasonal 25 metre outdoor swimming pool
- Indoor Jacuzzi pool, toddler splash pool and sauna
- Sea fishing directly from the rocky coastline
- Nine-hole pitch and putt plus crazy golf
- Indoor soft play and large outdoor playground
- Seasonal family entertainment, children's clubs and live acts
- Caravans, chalets, touring, motorhomes and camping in one park
Burrowhead Holiday Village FAQs
Does Burrowhead Holiday Village have a swimming pool?
Yes. Burrowhead has a seasonal 25 metre outdoor swimming pool, generally operating through the warmer months. There is also an indoor spa area with a heated Jacuzzi pool, toddler splash pool and sauna.
Can you fish at Burrowhead Holiday Village?
Yes. Sea fishing is available directly from the rocky coastline around the park, making Burrowhead particularly suitable for guests interested in shore angling.
Is Burrowhead Holiday Village dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs are welcome at the park and pet-friendly options are available within the self-catering accommodation as well as touring and camping.
Is there entertainment at Burrowhead?
Yes. Seasonal entertainment includes children's activities, quizzes, bingo, family games and live performers, with a fuller programme during school holidays and selected weekends.
Can I take a touring caravan or motorhome to Burrowhead?
Yes. The park has approximately 90 pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents, including electric pitches and more secluded non-electric options.
Is Burrowhead Holiday Village open all year?
Self-catering accommodation and touring are available throughout the year. Many leisure, entertainment and food facilities operate seasonal opening hours, with reduced provision during winter.
Accommodation at Burrowhead Holiday Village
Burrowhead offers a particularly varied choice of accommodation, combining self-catering holiday homes with chalets, touring, motorhomes and camping. The coastal layout means guests can also choose between convenient positions close to the central facilities and quieter areas nearer the sea.
Holiday Caravans
Modern holiday caravans provide an easy option for families wanting their own kitchen, bathroom and living space while remaining close to the main park facilities.
Current caravan accommodation includes two and three-bedroom layouts, with some sleeping up to six guests. Features vary between individual units, but current accommodation can include double glazing, central heating, fitted kitchens, shower rooms, private parking and outdoor seating or decking.
Several caravans enjoy views either across the surrounding meadows or towards the Solway coast.
Holiday Chalets
The established chalet accommodation is one of Burrowhead's more distinctive choices.
Two-bedroom chalets generally sleep four, with a double bedroom and twin bedroom, while larger two-bedroom options can accommodate up to six. Kitchens are provided for self-catering, along with bathrooms or shower rooms, heating, double glazing and WiFi.
Selected chalets are pet friendly, while others are kept pet free.
Location makes a significant difference. Some chalets sit close to the amenities and play facilities, while others occupy seafront positions with views across the Solway Firth towards the Isle of Man.
Lodges
Lodge accommodation is also available within the current holiday range, giving visitors another self-catering option alongside the caravans and chalets.
Availability varies through the booking season, so guests wanting a lodge rather than a caravan or chalet should check the current holiday selection when booking.
Touring Caravans and Motorhomes
Approximately 90 pitches are available for tents, motorhomes and touring caravans.
The principal touring areas provide electric hook-up and water points and remain open throughout the year. Most pitches are grass, benefiting from the well-drained clifftop setting.
One touring area is positioned close to the refurbished shower and toilet facilities, laundrette and children's playground, making it convenient for families and guests who prefer a shorter walk to amenities.
Another touring area lies closer to the seafront and offers excellent views towards the Isle of Man. Facilities are approximately 100 metres away from some of these pitches.
Larger pitches can be accommodated and selected areas without electric hook-up provide a more secluded camping experience.
Camping
Tents are welcome throughout the year, with both electric and non-electric options.
Campers share the touring amenity facilities, which include showers, toilets, water points and a laundrette.
The exposed coastal location is a major part of the appeal, particularly for campers looking for sea views and easy access to walking, although visitors should come prepared for the changeable weather typical of an open headland.
Seasonal Touring
Twelve-month seasonal pitches are available for guests who want to leave their touring caravan at Burrowhead and return for multiple breaks during the year.
This can be particularly attractive for regular visitors to Dumfries and Galloway who want to avoid towing their caravan for every trip.
Accommodation Comparison
| Accommodation Type | Bedrooms / Capacity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Caravan | 2 or 3 bedrooms, selected options sleep up to 6 | Kitchen, bathroom, heating, WiFi and selected sea or meadow views |
| Standard Chalet | 2 bedrooms, sleeps 4 | Double and twin bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and WiFi |
| Larger Chalet | 2 bedrooms, sleeps up to 6 | Sea views, self-catering kitchen and selected pet-friendly options |
| Lodge | Varies | Self-catering holiday accommodation within the park |
| Touring Caravan | Pitch based | Electric hook-up and water points available |
| Motorhome | Pitch based | Year-round touring provision |
| Tent | Pitch based | Electric and non-electric options |
| Seasonal Touring | Caravan pitch | Leave your touring caravan on site for repeat stays |
Practical Accommodation Information
| Holiday Season | Self-catering accommodation available all year |
| Touring Season | Open throughout the year |
| Beds | Made up for arrival in chalet accommodation |
| Kitchens | Self-catering kitchens in holiday accommodation |
| WiFi | Available throughout the park |
| Dogs | Selected self-catering accommodation and touring pitches |
| Heating | Available in holiday accommodation |
| Touring Hook-Up | Electric pitches available |
| Water | Water points available around touring areas |
| Amenities | Refurbished showers and toilets |
| Laundrette | Available on park |
| Private Water Supply | Guests are advised to boil water before drinking |
| Seasonal Pitches | Available for touring caravans |
Park Facilities at Burrowhead Holiday Village
Burrowhead has an unusually broad range of facilities for a coastal park in such a rural location. Swimming, spa facilities, golf, play, entertainment and sea fishing all provide genuine reasons to choose the park rather than simply using it as somewhere to sleep.
Outdoor Swimming Pool
The outdoor swimming pool is one of Burrowhead's main summer facilities.
At approximately 25 metres long, it is considerably more substantial than a small holiday park splash pool. The pool has both shallow and deeper sections, with the deepest water approximately 1.5 metres.
The pool operates seasonally through the warmer months, with opening dates and times varying through the season. During school holidays it normally opens daily apart from Tuesdays.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and guests are required to follow the park's pool conditions before using it.
Oasis Spa
The indoor Oasis Spa provides a separate water and relaxation facility.
It includes a heated Jacuzzi pool and a toddler splash pool with a small slide, giving families an indoor alternative when the outdoor pool is unavailable or the weather changes.
An adults-only sauna is also provided. Changing facilities are available within the spa area.
This should be considered a spa facility rather than a conventional indoor swimming pool.
Sea Fishing
Burrowhead is particularly interesting for anglers because fishing is available directly from the coastline rather than at a stocked park lake.
Rock marks around the headland provide access to sea angling from the shore, allowing guests to fish without needing to drive elsewhere.
Conditions on exposed rock can change quickly with tides and weather, so anglers should choose safe marks and check local conditions before fishing.
Golf
The park has its own nine-hole pitch and putt course, with clubs available to hire from reception.
There is also crazy golf and a putting green, making golf one of the more substantial family activity choices on the park rather than a single token facility.
These shorter courses are aimed at recreational play rather than serious full-length golf, making them particularly suitable for families and beginners.
Children's Play
The outdoor playground provides climbing and activity equipment for a range of ages, including a large climbing wall, assault-course style elements, swings and a sandpit.
Indoor soft play is available for younger children, while the Game Zone arcade provides air hockey, pool, dance machines, driving games and other amusements.
There are also football goals near the seafront and a volleyball net.
Entertainment
Burrowhead runs an organised entertainment programme through much of the main holiday season.
Regular activities can include children's clubs, quizzes, bingo, family team games and game-show evenings. The programme becomes more frequent during school holidays.
Live singers and other entertainment also appear on selected Saturdays, particularly during school holidays and bank holiday weekends.
Headland Bar
The Headland Bar is the park's family-friendly clubhouse and forms the centre of much of the evening entertainment.
Facilities include live sports, pool, darts and a separate snooker area, alongside the seasonal family entertainment programme.
Café and Takeaway
The Headland Café provides hot drinks, snacks and main meals, while the takeaway offers straightforward holiday favourites.
Opening days and times vary seasonally, so guests visiting outside the main holiday periods should check arrangements during their stay.
Shop
An on-site shop provides everyday holiday essentials, reducing the need to travel into Whithorn or Newton Stewart for smaller items.
Provision and opening times can vary outside the main season.
Walking
Burrowhead's clifftop setting gives guests direct access to rugged coastal walking without having to drive from the park.
The wider Machars Peninsula has a mixture of shore paths, farmland, quiet lanes, woodland and historic pilgrimage routes, making this a good base for visitors who want to explore southwest Scotland on foot.
WiFi
Superfast WiFi is available across the park, with routers also provided in current holiday accommodation.
Laundrette
A coin or token-operated laundrette is located close to the touring shower facilities.
Park Facilities
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Pool | Seasonal 25 metre swimming pool |
| Spa | Heated Jacuzzi pool and sauna |
| Toddler Pool | Indoor splash pool with slide |
| Sea Fishing | Direct from the rocky coastline |
| Pitch & Putt | 9-hole course |
| Crazy Golf | Available |
| Putting Green | Available |
| Playground | Large outdoor children's play area |
| Soft Play | Indoor area for younger children |
| Arcade | Games and amusement machines |
| Sports | Football and volleyball |
| Entertainment | Seasonal family programme |
| Bar | Family-friendly Headland Bar |
| Café | Seasonal meals, drinks and snacks |
| Takeaway | Seasonal takeaway food |
| Shop | Holiday essentials |
| WiFi | Superfast WiFi across the park |
| Laundrette | Available |
| Coastal Walking | Direct from the park |
| Dogs | Pet friendly |
Places to Visit Near Burrowhead Holiday Village
Burrowhead's position on the Machars Peninsula puts guests in one of the quieter corners of Dumfries and Galloway, where historic villages, rocky coastline and small bays take the place of large seaside resorts.
The Isle of Whithorn is the closest village, approximately two miles away. Despite its name it is part of the mainland, built around a picturesque harbour at the southern end of the peninsula. It is a pleasant destination for a waterside walk, food or simply exploring the harbour and surrounding coast.
Whithorn lies further inland and has exceptional historic importance. The town is strongly associated with St Ninian and early Christianity in Scotland. The Whithorn Story visitor experience explores the area's archaeology and religious history, including important early Christian stones and the remains of Whithorn Priory.
For walkers, St Ninian's Cave is one of the area's most distinctive outings. Reached on foot from the coast near Glasserton, the cave has centuries of pilgrimage history and sits beneath wooded cliffs overlooking Luce Bay.
Galloway House Gardens near Garlieston provide a gentler day out. More than 50 acres of gardens, woodland and parkland run down towards Wigtown Bay, with paths continuing onto the shore and towards the ruins of Cruggleton Castle.
Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town, is another worthwhile destination. Its independent bookshops make it particularly enjoyable for a slower day away from the coast, while nearby Bladnoch Distillery offers guided tours and whisky tastings.
Families and active visitors can travel towards Newton Stewart and Kirroughtree Forest. Part of the 7stanes mountain biking network, Kirroughtree also has walking trails, accessible routes, a wildlife hide, children's play, bike hire and a café.
The area's dark skies are another attraction. With relatively little artificial light around the Machars, clear nights can provide excellent conditions for stargazing.
Nearby Attractions
| Attraction / Place | Approx. Distance | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Isle of Whithorn | 2 miles | 5 minutes |
| Whithorn | 6 miles | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Whithorn Story & Priory | 6 miles | 10 to 15 minutes |
| St Ninian's Cave | 7 miles to the walking start | 15 minutes |
| Galloway House Gardens | 11 miles | 20 minutes |
| Garlieston | 12 miles | 20 minutes |
| Wigtown | 16 miles | 25 minutes |
| Bladnoch Distillery | 17 miles | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Newton Stewart | 25 miles | 35 to 40 minutes |
| Kirroughtree Forest | 27 miles | 40 minutes |
Park Reviews for Burrowhead Holiday Village
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