Hoddom Castle Caravan Park

Hoddom

Lockerbie

Dumfriesshire

Tel: 01576 300251

A little gem this one! Tucked away only 4 miles off the M6/A74 it is so peaceful you could be a

hundred mile from anywhere. On top of that, the facilities on the site are extensive and well kept.

Entry to the site is via the long drive to reception in a part of the ruined castle itself.

After checking in with the extremely helpful and friendly wardens, you proceed to your pitch via the one-way system operating. Static caravans and seasonal tourers are grouped together. The touring pitches are all hard standing.

A grassed area at the top of the site caters for tent campers.

The whole site is well landscaped. Due to the very inclement weather we have had shortly before my visit, all visitors were being asked to avoid the grass at all costs. This was not a problem as the site was quiet so all I did was park the car on the pitch opposite. The site slopes gently but it is not difficult to level up.

There are three toilet blocks. Two at the upper end of the site, and the third situated in the castle buildings.

I did not inspect the top two as they were closed. The main one was extremely clean and obviously well cared for. Water was hot and plentiful and free. Also in this building is the fully equipped laundry.

Also in this area is an indoor games and information room. The shop is in reception and payphone just outside. There is even a post box from which collections are made daily. The shop provides all the basics even in low season and looks as though it will be well stocked in high season.

A bar and restaurant which will also do takeaways completes the buildings in and around the castle. Opening times are restricted in low season although the bar was open each night during my stay. Outside here is a child’s play area with mini maze, giant draughts and crazy golf.

The following facilities are also available on site or immediately adjacent.

Fishing

I am not a fisherman so I will quote direct from the site brochure. "Salmon, sea trout and brown trout on the River Annan at Hoddom. Trout fishing at Purdomstone reservoir. Coarse fishing at Kelhead quarry [50 pegs]. Pike fishing- 2 rods only - Bottom Lake, Kinmount [large pike].

All the above fishing is in our own water and the number of rods are restricted to prevent overcrowding."

Golf

The site has its own 9-hole par 33 course immediately adjacent to the site. I play very badly but as this was in fact why I had gone there, I enjoyed several rounds. Green fees are a reasonable £7 all day weekdays and £9 all day at weekends. There are also several other courses locally.

Bike hire

Mountain bikes can be hired and there is a bike trail in adjoining woodland.

Tennis

There is a hard court on the site.

As far as the outside world is concerned, Annan is four miles away from Dumfries and Lockerbie 14.

Certainly for golfers and anglers, this site is an excellent visit as one has all the facilities without the need to go off site.

Directions

Leave M6/A74 at J19 towards Ecclefechan.

Turn left off slip road and left again at roundabout. At the church in the village, turn right following the brown international caravan sign.

In 2.5 miles, the road goes sharp left over a narrow bridge over the river. Immediately after this turn right at the lodge into the site drive. Reception is about half a mile up in the castle.

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A large site with lots of trees, quite pleasant, with different areas for tents (non-electric), tents (electric), tourers and statics.Plenty of water points around.

The main facilities are at the castle, which is at one end of the site and therefore a long walk from most pitches. There are toilets, cubicle washbasins, showers, bathroom, disabled toilet and shower, laundry and dishwashing, all spacious and clean.There are 2 additional facilities blocks at other points on the site, which I understand only have toilets and washbasins, but didn't investigate - even these were a significant distance from the pitches for tents with electric.

The chemical disposal point, which was right round the back of the castle, as far from any pitches as it could be, even came equipped with washbasin, soap and paper towels so you could have a wash and brush up afterwards.The motorhome service point was nearby.

The site has a one way system.When we booked in we were told ours was a drive-through pitch, sounds great - except for the fact that if we HAD driven through, we would either have had to go the wrong way one of the site roads or bend the motorhome in half to be able to make the turn to go the correct way! Not fancying such an exciting life, we reversed out as usual! The site was very quiet when we went because it was off-peak and midweek.In one way this was nice but in another it meant the site felt somewhat lifeless.I'm sure it would be a lot busier/livelier in the school holidays!
Other facilities: 9 hole golf course, fishing, waymarked walks, play area, crazy golf, giant outdoor draughts, dominoes, tennis, games room (table tennis and pool), limited shop, take away, restaurant (only open at busy times) and bar (which does bar meals).Most of these are in the castle buildings.
Would we go back? Yes, it's close to the A74 for a stopover, might stay a few days, but probably not a whole week.And first thing to do after we arrived on site would be get out the bikes so we could cycle to the blooming facilities block, CDP etc!
Oh, and if you want to contact them, don't do it via the website or email, they don't answer!

Myra Sears