Hoddom Castle, Ecclefechan, Dumfries

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Getting there and finding the site was easy - except at the very end - the entrance to the site is directly after the bridge.

Booking onto the site the lady gave us a choice of pitches (even though we had been allocated one on booking)and a look at the field before paying. Field was a little soggy but good enough to drive over and pitch the tent without any trouble or getting muddy - did have wellies on though. After pitching we left the car in the car park and walked back and forth as all the facilities were very near and thought it would save churning up the field.

All the ehu pitches are on the hedge side of the field and are of a good size (we took a Khyam Tourer 400 but there was a Killington 600 and Diablo 900 and both had ample space) and fairly level. Field was in excellent condition considering the weather we have had recently. First pitch is very near the bins though (134 or 135?).

There is a water point and grey water disposal point in the middle of the field but the wash up place is in the Laundry room in the main complex.

Staff were pleasant (a bit terse on the phone but better in person) - there was a very nice Dutch(?) gentleman. On booking in you have to give a £10 deposit for the toilet & shower keys, which you get back when you hand them both in when you leave. When booking you also give a £10 deposit. We paid £17 a night for tent,car, 2 adults, 2 children and EHU.

On site there is a large laundry room (tokens from shop for the one washer and 20p for one dryer and 20p for the iron and ironing board) and wash up sinks, indoor games room (snooker tables and table tennis deposits required for equipment and small charge to play) with local info available on the walls and in leaflet form, crazy golf,and draughts outside (small charge and deposit) and also a Basket Ball hoop and a Tennis court. Recycling bins by the laundry room.

Toilet & Shower blocks for men and women and disabled facilities. The toilets and showers were spotlessly clean and cleaned every day. Showers had ample room (hooks, stool, non slip matting) and there were separate cubicles with wash basins, Hairdryers (20p) and a big mirror.

There is a shop at reception. The shop stocks various things - food, drink, papers, books, toys, sweets, small amount of camping stuff and also has a book exchange scheme running.

Restaurant, Bar and Take Away. Food is very good, better than a lot of places but nothing fancy, and is reasonabley priced too - can recommend Lasagne and Chicken Curry - portions are not small eg lasagne and chips take away £5 for a very full long rectangular take away box. Drinks in the bar are reasonabley priced too - cheaper than our local pubs!. On the Sat night there was Bingo (friend and my daughter both won) and an open the box game.

Childrens outdoor play area is more for the younger children but it has plenty of space for kicking balls about too. There is a dog walk, golf course and plenty of fishing on the river Annan. Some of these things you pay extra for.

The site has a mixture of statics and tourers and a couple of other toilet blocks in amongst these but I didn't use these so can't comment on them - I would expect they were just as clean and tidy as the main block. It is a well set out site and each pitch is well sized.

Entry and exit to the park is via a one way system which is a very good idea.

There is plenty to do when out and about as it is not far to Annan, Lockerbie, Dumfries, Prowfoot beach (not a lot of sand) etc. Lots of walks and goecache sites.

We visited Dalton Pottery where the girls painted pots (range from £3 to £10) and had a bite to eat in the pottery cafe.

The Castle itself is not ruined but not able to be walked around but all of the facilities are in parts of the Castle able to be used.

We saw bats at night and heard owls. The field behind the camping field is home to some Highland Cows. There are also red squirrels around and about. The site has lots of trees and wooded areas. Apparently the camp site was formed to house Canadian soldiers during WWII (very nice letter pinned up in the games room from a gentleman who was in the Royal Engineers (?) and sent up to make the camp site in 1942 (I think that's the year he said)

All in all a good site that we would return to again - prob for longer than a weekend stay.