Set on the edge of Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries, Hensol Estate Holidays is a peaceful site that offers dog-friendly camping and glamping. The site provides electric and non electric grass pitches as well as a selection of glamping pods. Kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and cycling are all available onsite, making it the perfect family adventure. Or, simply relax around the fire pit gazing up at the stars with your loved ones.

Why choose Hensol Estate Holidays

Set on the edge of Galloway Forest National Park, 20 minutes to Castle Douglas

Family and dog friendly with kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and cycling all available nearby!

Off-grid, almost wild camping with hot showers, plus close to two lochs and plenty of walks

About the site

Set on the edge of Galloway Forest Park and nestled between Woodhall Loch and Loch Ken, this quiet dark sky campsite is as close as you can get to wild camping without forgoing a hot shower. The site is off-grid and offers a selection of grass pitches, some unmarked without electric for free-pitching and others measuring a spacious 10m x 7m with electric hook up points, all suitable for tents and tourers. If you don't want the hassle of hammering in the tent pegs, you also have the option to book one of the heated glamping pods. The Bunk Bed glamping pod is great for a family of four with two bunk beds and two fold out beds. The Stargazer and Apex glamping pods sleep up to five with fold out beds. There is also a microwave, kettle, toaster, plus a fire pit outside. Please note, that all pods contain an electric meter which takes £1 and £2 coins and that all the pods are pet free apart from three of the Apex glamping pods. Bedding is not provided in any of the pods, so please bring your own. Shared facilities are just a short walk away. This wild, spacious site is perfect for adventurous friends, families, couples or solo travellers looking to reconnect with nature and explore all that Southern Scotland has to offer. You will be just 20 minutes from Castle Douglas and a 40 minute drive to Dumfries. Sit back and unwind against a backdrop of rolling hills and wildlife noises, or throw yourself into the onsite activities. Options include following the river walks that take you to RSPB private bird hides overlooking the Ken-Dee Marsh reserve, hiring kayaks, paddle boards or canoes or cycling around Galloway Forest and finding hidden picnic spots. Fishing is also available in Woodhall Loch, with a car park less than a five minute drive away. Thanks to the site's convenient location, you can reach a number of beautiful beaches within 30 minutes, such as Cardoness Beach. Exploring Kenmure Castle makes a great family day out, only ten minutes away. Four-legged friends are permitted on all camping and touring pitches, as well as in three of the Apex glamping pods. The other cabins do not allow dogs inside. Firepits are available to borrow on a first come first served basis, or bring your own! Perfect for nights spent gazing up at the starry night sky, so don't forget the marshmallows. Please note, that BBQs and fire pits must be raised from the ground to not cause any damage to the grass.

Hensol Estate Holidays is open from 03/04 to 31/10. Pitches from £25/night for 2 people.

"The location was perfect for what I wanted"

Kazimierz Z

"What can I say, it was breathtaking"

Geraldine W

"The fire pits are a lovely touch and if clear, the stars are spectacular"

Stephen M

"Facilities were immaculate"

Jennifer R

"It truly felt like a slice of paradise"

Andrew F

"The owners, who went out of their way to make sure that everyone on site was well looked after"

Rebecca D

"Absolutely beautiful site, so peaceful and tranquil"

Nicola S

What facilities are at Hensol Estate Holidays?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Bike hire

Electric hookups

Fires allowed

Glamping

Peaceful

Watersports

Onsite facilities include hot showers and toilet and a dishwashing area. There are bikes, fishing equipment, kayaks, paddleboards and canoes available for hire. Lessons are also available.

WiFi access is available, but limited around the information hut on site.

There's a small shop selling essentials in Mossdale, just five minutes away, and the nearest pub is the Thistle Inn in Crossmicheal Village, 15 minutes away.

There are 63 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

34 x Non Electric Grass Pitches

Max 5 people

Non electric grass pitch for tents and tourers. Pitches are unmarked.

7 x Electric Grass Pitches

Max 5 people

Grass pitches with 16 amp electric hook up, for tents and tourers. Pitches are 10m x 7m.

10 x Electric Grass and Gravel Pitches

Max 5 people

Electric grass and gravel pitch for tents, roof and trailer tents, campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Pitches are 10m x 7m.

Hensol Estate Holidays reviews

4.75 /5

71 reviews

92%

would recommend

Filter by: Review rating

Outstanding (52)

Very good (8)

Good (4)

Average (7)

Poor (0)

Accommodation type

Camping (30)Glamping (7)Motorhome or Campervan (33)Caravan (1)

Travelled as

Family with young children (6)Family with older children (13+) (7)Solo (8)Couple (31)Group (19)

Latest

Popular mentions

...

Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Good

Recommends site

Alexandra B

Roof Tent - Electric Grass and Gravel PitchesJul 2026

The site was easy to find and close to the area we were visiting. Spacious pitch and clean toilets, the shower rooms were also spacious and the water pressure and temperature were good. No quiet time was enforced so it was a late night with kids running around and shouting. For the price it was basic, no amenities like a café or shop so that is the one thing that makes the price pretty high compared to other campsites we have stayed at. The one staff we saw was friendly.

Good facilities and friendly owners

Recommends site

Laura C

Large Tent - Non Electric Grass PitchesJul 2026

Our first night was great - really quiet and had no one near us. Saturday was understandably busier but couldn't fathom why someone chose to pitch a couple of metres away from us on a huge site. It was much noisier in general but did quieten down at 11. The toilets, showers, and washing up station were all very clean and the showers were great. Staff/owners were super friendly offering logs for fire and checking in to see all was ok. We didn't want to but loads on offer in terms of rentals - bikes, paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Just call the number on the booking through Campsites. It was about 20 minutes by car to the nearest shop but suited us fine.

Excellent

Recommends site

Adele L

Roof Tent - Non Electric Grass PitchesJul 2026

Lovely stay here, we had a grass pitch and the field was huge! Plenty space, it was so peaceful. We got lucky with amazing weather and sunsets. Free fire pits to use and logs can be paid for and collected from a locked shed (or dropped off by owner during the drop off). They had an info shop with lots of handy items and things for kids to keep them entertained, it's unmanned so they use an honesty policy. They also had a borrow box with things that could be borrowed and returned during the stay. The owner was really lovely and chatted away to us, very attentive which adds a special touch. The only downside to this stay was that if like us, you choose a pitch further away for the peace and quiet, some of the grass isn't cut down so you have a long walk to the toilet block. There is only 2 showers and one of them was a bit unstable on the wall but they were hot and definitely better than none at all. All in all, I would stay here again for a quiet peaceful escape. Thanks :)

Share your feedback about Hensol Estate Holidays

Already stayed here? Leave a review and tell us what you thought!

Need to know

Frequently asked questions about Hensol Estate Holidays

Quick filters

Still have questions?

Ask a question and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can

Site rules

What time is check-in and check out at Hensol Estate Holidays?

Guests can check-in between 1pm and 9pm for camping and touring. Glamping check-in is between 3pm and 8pm. Check out is due by 11am on your final day.

Is Hensol Estate Holidays dog-friendly?

Yes. Dogs are welcome to join you for your stay, just not in the pet free pods. Up to two dogs are welcome per pitch/unit. Please be advised all breeds and crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act are not permitted and/or any of the following: XL Bully, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.

Does Hensol Estate Holidays allow BBQs and campfires?

BBQs and fire pits are allowed, just please ensure they are raised from the ground. Ground campfires are not permitted.

Pitches

What amp is the electric hook up at Hensol Estate Holidays?

Electric hook ups are 16 amp.

Does Hensol Estate Holidays allow awnings, gazebos or pup tents?

One of each are permitted on the camping and touring pitches.

Facilities

Can I bring my own canoe to launch at Hensol Estate Holidays?

At Hensol Estate Holidays, you are able to hire a canoe or bring your own. If you are bringing your own canoe, you can launch it from the site, but there will be a small fee.

Other

Is there fishing onsite at Hensol Estate Holidays?

Fishing is not available onsite at Hensol Estate Holidays, but there is catch and release fishing at Woodhall Loch, with a car park less than a five minute drive away. The loch has pike, perch and brown trout and there is a small daily fee to fish.

Still have questions?

Ask a question and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can

A note from the site themselves...

Our family has been farming this land for three generations, and in 2021 we opened the estate to campers and visitors so more people could experience this beautiful part of Dumfries and Galloway. Set beside Woodhall Loch, which flows into the River Dee and on to Loch Ken, it's a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're looking for adventure or simply a chance to slow down and relax.

We're fortunate to be located within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, an area celebrated for its landscapes, wildlife, and internationally recognised Dark Skies. The estate is also home to several protected nature sites, making it a special place for those who enjoy exploring the countryside and spotting local wildlife.

Hensol has a rich history stretching back hundreds of years. Formerly known as Duchrae Estate, it has been home to a number of notable families over the centuries before becoming the Hensol Estate we know today. The striking granite house, completed in 1824 using stone from the nearby hills, still stands as a reminder of the estate's long heritage, while the surrounding landscape has changed very little over the years.

Today, Hensol remains a working family farm, and we're delighted to share it with our guests. Whether you're here to enjoy the peaceful setting, discover the area's fascinating history, or explore the lochs, forests, and rolling countryside nearby, we hope you'll have a wonderful stay and leave with lasting memories of this special corner of Scotland.

Hensol Estate Holidays is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Things to do on site and in the Castle Douglas area

Set next to the River Dee and nestled between Loch Ken and Woodhall Loch there are plenty of water-based activities to do! Hire a kayak, paddleboard or canoe and paddle round the loch. Or, bring your fishing rod and see what you can catch! For nature lovers the site is near RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve, to spot geese and Kites.

There are plenty of cycle routes that take you through the heart of Galloway Forest and to secluded rockpools and rivers such as Otters Pool, or to nearby villages. For good food and historical attractions, visit Castle Douglas, only 20 minutes away.

For a family day out head to Ernespie Farm (20 minutes) an adventure park with indoor soft play, farm animals, pedal karts and slides. Enjoy a sweet treat and a coffee at the Farmhouse Kitchen too! The Cocobean Company (20 minutes) holds chocolate workshops and soft play, a great rainy day activity for all the family.

Other activities include: