Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura
Two for one
Centered around a windmill a historic astronomical instrument gives panoramic views across the countryside.
View and Book
Gallery
Why stay here ...
John Paul Jones Cottage CL offers a fantastic 5 van hardstanding level site set in private grounds in the stunning Dumfries and Galloway countryside which is open all year round.
Our CL is a short walk away from the beach and offers a very peaceful rural location while having everything close by that you could possibly desire while enjoying your relaxing holiday. Our site has its own private coastal tranquil peaceful gardens with picnic tables offering fantastic sea views overlooking the Lake District and Cumbrian Hills. Also overlooking the second oldest lighthouse in Scotland which in the summer at the weekends you are able to walk all the way up to the top of the lighthouse and view all the way over the Solway Coast.
We also have on site a cafe which sells snacks, refreshments and ice creams.
We are twinned with the John Paul Jones birthplace museum and visitor centre where you can see the original cottage where John Paul Jones was born and grew up and you can learn all about the man who was the founding Father and Hero of the American Navy. Also in keeping with the great American history and the American Revolutionary War of Independence, in the space of half a mile from the site you also have the houses of two other very important men in American history of that time - Dr James Craik, the personal physician to George Washington and his family. George Washington was the first ever American President and died in the arms of Dr James Craik. Also Richard Oswald the tobacco baron who was one of the men that signed the treaty that ended the war of independence in America, his house is also close by.
The site is next to the Solway Coast with many walks which will lead you to the beach while seeing a lot of our local wildlife. We are also just a short drive from the Mersehead nature reserve.
The site is also a fantastic location for cyclists as many of the local roads in the region were used in the tour of Britain a few years ago.
We cater for everyone of all ages and with the beach just a short walk there is plenty for the kids to do and we are just a short drive from local swimming pools, local bars, restaurants, family attractions, some of the best golf courses in the region and the towns of Dumfries, Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright.
Please book online at www.johnpauljonesmuseum.com/cl
We are wheelchair access friendly.
We are dog friendly.
All the team here at John Paul Jones Cottage we look forward to welcoming you and making sure that you have a great time when you visit us. For more information please visit our Facebook page.
Prices
Useful Info
Latest arrival time: 8:00 PM
Latest departure time: 12:00 PM
0.25 acres
Electric amperage: 16
Nearby
Great savings on days out
Offers available to Club members
Mobile Adventure
10% discount
Ghyll Scrambling, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Kayaking and Raft Building, Fell Walking and Navigation Courses.
View and Book
The Beacon Museum
10% discount
See what you can discover with their interactive fun, family-friendly galleries and exhibitions.
View and Book
Go Ape - Whinlatter
10% discount
UK's No.1 Forest Adventure. Fly down zip-wires, leap off swings and tackle crossings across amazing scenery.
View and BookMap
Directions
You need to be a Club member to view directions to this Certificated Location. Log in
Sites key:
- Postcode:
- DG2 8BQ
- GPS:
- Lat 54.89883 / Lon -3.58031
- OS field ref:
- NX987571
- OS map ref:
- 84
Reviews
close panel
Log in to write a review
Overpriced
John Paul Jones Cottage
This is a lovely tranquil spot, with nice views. About half a mile walk to the shore. A bit tricky to find as no signs for CL and museum signs quite small. However at £25.00 a night it is expensive for shared toilet with the museum, broken water tap , waste / toilet emptying just about adequate.
As said in a previous review you would expect a shower for that price.
Museum staff very pleasant and helpful but they are not responsible for the site maintenance.
It could be lovely with more attention,
Overpriced
John Paul Jones Cottage
Best thing about this site is the glorious views across the Solway to Cumbria.
I have to agree with the review from 05/04/24, though. The site is in desperate need of maintenance and it suffers from a serious lack of attention. It looks grubby and tired and it is not worth the £25 per night fee. If we had paid £15 or £16 per night we wouldn't mind, but this site isn't nearly as good as many sites we have stayed on that charge much less than £25.
The staff in the museum are lovely, but they have no access to the caravan bookings and are not able to sort out problems.
The site needs a good clean. The planted areas look tired and scruffy. The fresh water tap is not fitted correctly. The hose on the toilet emptying point is broken. There doesn't appear to be any recycling facility.
Advice to the owners would be reduce the price or smarten it up to bring it in line with the really good CL's that can justify charging over £20.
moggers
Reviewed on 18/04/2024 20:23
Disappointing and needs maintenance
John Paul Jones Cottage
This site is a disappointment. The location and views are excellent and the staff are lovely
However…
The fresh water tap wasn’t fitted correctly
The fresh water station was filthy and smelly (I have a photo)
The elsan is the dirtiest I have seen with the hose pipe just lying in “mud”. (I have a photo)
The trees need pruning
The hard standing is covered with a sloppy layer of mud
The bins are on the road and there is no recycling
The toilets are shared with museum visitors
We booked pitch #1 but that was occupied when we arrived
The museum staff have no access to the booking system and therefore were unable to help when we asked to move as our pitch was waterlogged
Cracking C L
John Paul Jones Cottage
Just returned from a fabulous 5 night stay at this cracking C L. The views are absolutely fantastic. Outstanding customer service from the lovely staff. Museum and Arbigland Gardens well worth visits. We loved walks from the site down to the beach to see the Thirl Stane Arch. Also visited RSPB Mersehead, the lighthouse at
Southerness and made it to the summit of Criffel -all close by.
A very quiet and peaceful. Loved sitting on the bench at the end of the site seeing as far as St Bees head. Highly recommend and would definitely return. Thank you.
willden
Reviewed on 10/08/2023 17:00
Lovely little site
John Paul Jones Cottage
We stayed here last year and enjoyed it immensely. The site is clean and the facilities are well maintained. Access to the beach and surrounding woodland is good.
The staff are very friendly and helpful
Our only criticism is the grey waste and toilet disposal points are basic and could be improved.
That said, we enjoyed our stay and are heading back there later this year
Sites nearby
Search all Certificated Locations
Landis Farm
5.9 miles
Fairgirth Farm
6.72 miles
Old Kiln Farm
10.29 miles