Coming over to Ayr

Johnnypanic_2

Hi all,

will be visting Ayr, at the end of the month, for 5 days. Wee family break with my wife and 3 children.

Looking to plan for the 5 days, so any suggestions on where to go and what to do, would be gratefully accepted :T

And if there's any moneysaving deals to be had then all the better

Thanks,

John

hcb42

Trip to Arran if you can.

electric Brae, to see cars rolling uphill..

there was an animal park somewhere on the coast that way south of Ayr, dont know if it is still there (lived in Ayr, but left in 2005).

golf (e.g. Turnberry) if you want a divorce lol.

Magnum centre at Irvine, for swimming etc.

Go into Glasgow on train (1hr) or drive, (same) for shopping, science museum, museum of tranport and the like.

Beaches....

Johnnypanic_2

Thanks for that.

Never played golf, so I'm safe enough there

creditcard123

http://www.headsofayrfarmpark.co.uk/

Think this is the park HCB42 was talking about we have taken children there when they were younger and they enjoyed it

Hope you enjoy your holidays

Johnnypanic_2

creditcard123 wrote: »

http://www.headsofayrfarmpark.co.uk/

Think this is the park HCB42 was talking about we have taken children there when they were younger and they enjoyed it

Hope you enjoy your holidays

Excellent, should keep the kids happy :T

The_One_Who

Are you coming by car? That can make a real difference in what to suggest.

Perhaps go to Alloway for a short visit? Burns' Cottage isn't really anything special, but it's a gorgeous little village if it's a nice day. Not worth a full day, but a nice getaway for a couple of hours.

Definitely try to do Arran if you can, there's a crazy-golf course there that is a staple of all my Arran trips!

Frankly, if you are wanting a nice beach, avoid Ayr like the plague! Head to Troon, or even Prestwick. They are nowhere near as busy and are cleaner.

Glasgow? Do the museums, and there's a Hamleys as well which could keep the kids happy on the shopping rounds.

Heads of Ayr is a good option. You could go to Culzean Castle too.

Head up to Largs and go to Kelburn Park. There is a castle there, but the main interest for kids is the Secret Forest. They also have quite a few game birds which could be interesting.

JG82

I had heard that they closed the magnum centre but not sure if that's true. Haven't been there in almost 20 years but used to love it!

Prestwick Beach is nice (much nicer than Ayr) and there's a great softplay centre right next to it.

Good shopping area in Ayr, amusements etc & the park at the sea front is great for kids. Heads of Ayr Park is supposed to be good (but expensive).

Happy holidays!

The_One_Who

JG82 wrote: »

I had heard that they closed the magnum centre but not sure if that's true. Haven't been there in almost 20 years but used to love it!

Prestwick Beach is nice (much nicer than Ayr) and there's a great softplay centre right next to it.

Good shopping area in Ayr, amusements etc & the park at the sea front is great for kids. Heads of Ayr Park is supposed to be good (but expensive).

Happy holidays!

I don't think anyone knows what they are doing with the Magnum! They were meant to be building a new centre somewhere else (Irvine Central grounds?), but nothing seems to have come from it. It is still open, although as far as I am aware the ice rink is no longer open, you need to go to Auchenharvie for that now. Everything else (pool, indoor sports halls, bowling, soft play, theatre) is still there though.

scotsbob

Interesting that none of the suggestions offered (apart from shopping) is in Ayr! Ayr must be a dreadfully dull place.

The_One_Who

scotsbob wrote: »

Interesting that none of the suggestions offered (apart from shopping) is in Ayr! Ayr must be a dreadfully dull place.

I presumed (perhaps wrongly) that they must have some initial reason for coming to Ayr. The town itself is quite nice, but there really isn't that much to it. It has a beach, some play parks, a crazy-golf course and a putting green, an indoor kids place, a ten-pin bowling and laser quest place and a few historic/cultural things. One of the better places in Ayrshire though!

fishhawks

Ayr is a lovely place, yes its had its problems like most seaside towns but the council are really trying to make a difference and over the next couple of years will improve substaniallly.

Things to do just now - there is a great play park at the beach (free), Pirate Petes indoor kids play area, bowling, tennis courts at St Johns tower (very cheap) Burns cottage and heritage centre which has just opened after building new museum and renovating Burns Cottage, Heads of Ayr farm park is a great place for families and a really good day out. The shopping is Ok, there is a new shopping centre (although outdoors) near the train station, and there are some nice smaller shops at the other end of the town - Newmarket Street/Sandgate area. The walking tour of Ayr is also interesting, I think this leaves from the Tourist information centre and Donald is a great character.

Hope this helps.