VISIT GRETNA GREEN

A GREAT BASE TO EXPLORE CUMBRIA AND DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY, AND BEYOND

Hailed as 'The Gateway to Scotland' - Gretna Green is a great place for families, couples and groups to use as a base to explore the South of Scotland or Cumbria.

Where to stay when visiting Gretna Green?

We have two magnificent 4-star hotels on site, Smiths Hotel at Gretna Green and Gretna Hall Hotel, where you can stay for a few nights and make Gretna Green the place where your adventure begins.

If you’re wondering, ‘is Gretna Green worth visiting’, or perhaps even ‘is Southwest Scotland worth visiting’, the answer is yes, absolutely. Explore the indoor and outdoor activities, shopping, dining and experiences on site before looking further afield and visiting other attractions in the surrounding land.

Where else can I visit near Gretna Green?

Use Gretna Green as a place to stay and a base to explore Caerlaverock Castle, Drumlanrig Castle, The Brow Well, Birdoswald Roman Fort for Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle Castle, Tullie House Museum, Netherby Hall, the Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura and more.

Looking for an alternative Scottish or English city heritage escape? Stay in the more tranquil and scenic surroundings of Gretna Green and take day trips to Glasgow, Edinburgh or Newcastle to explore the iconic landmarks these three cities have to offer, as well as nearby Carlisle city, with its centuries-old Roman history. We’re also the perfect base for great days out in the Lake District.

Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral, the Scottish National Gallery, Newcastle’s Angle of the North, and Glasgow’s Riverside Museum or Kelvingrove Art Gallery are also only a car ride or train ride away.

Gretna Green is also the first heritage spot in Scotland, making it a great stop-off point if you’re travelling north to enjoy Scotland’s iconic NC500 North Coast 500 road trip tour, or the SWC300 – Southwest Coast 300 road trip, that takes you on a tour of the sandy beaches and hilltops of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire.

DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

Here's what our visitors have to say about Gretna Green

"An amazing must-go attraction when visiting Scotland. There are toilets, cafés and a big souvenir shop that sells a variety of things. Although it is famous for runaway marriage in the old days, there are still many people coming here to get married (as we saw groups of properly dressed people coming to attend the wedding ceremony). It's a place that could make people feel loved and happy." - Cheri Choi, Google Review

"Beautiful place. Wasn't sure what to expect but blown away with how it's all set out. You have to go in every shop as they all have something different. Go see the Blacksmiths museum, its a must. We also saw a wedding which was the icing on the cake." -  Angie Moon, Google Review

"An absolutely stunning place! There are places to eat and drink, public toilets, some beautiful shops, a park for the kids to play in and a love wall/ love maze where you can attach a padlock to with your names on which we thought was a lovely idea (you can buy the locks from the shop)." -  Rachel Kemper, Google Review

"Fantastic little walk around! Beautiful area, dog friendly and overall very pleased we stopped her to end our trip to Scotland." -  Stevn Harlock, Google Review

"Good place, loads of parking and a big store with clothes and lots of other stuff, top brands and good collection of whiskeys. Big dining hall with plenty of seating and good food." - Kevin White, Google Review