Activities
Many visitors to Glenapp don’t even feel the need to venture out of the castle grounds! As well as many walks to explore, our 110 acres of private estate and local woodland also boast herb, fruit, and flower gardens, a 150 foot Victorian glasshouse, and an all-weather tennis court and croquet lawn. The grounds are bounded on all sides by yet more woodland and open countryside to explore.
The Glenapp 2023 Activities programme offers over 70 unique activities on and around the Estate with something for everyone, from the very young to the not so young! Among these are:
Wild Swimming – Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with this fun and increasingly popular activity. Whether taking a dip in a local Loch or taking the plunge into our wonderful Scottish seas, wild swimming in these natural bodies of water is the ultimate way to refresh, invigorate and get back in touch with nature. Your instructor will join you in the water throughout your experience making this an activity perfect for all abilities and beginners to this past time. Once back on dry land a hot drink will be provided to help warm you back up.
Foraging – Scotland’s beautiful, bountiful Southwest is an open-air larder of gourmet delights and Glenapp Estate, Gardens and surrounding area offer Guests some incredible wild flavours. Our foraging expert has been teaching about wild food for 30 years and regularly works with leading chefs, distillers and bartenders. They will take you on a half day or full day adventure to show you how to identify seasonal edible goodies such as wild mushrooms, aromatic herbs, seaweeds and succulent coastal plants. The session can be designed around your particular interests, and rarely requires more than about 1 mile of easy walking. You will learn about the natural history, health benefits, and food uses of wild plants and mushrooms, and how to cook and make delicious drinks with them….
Glenapp Archery – Unleash your inner Robin Hood and master the highly enjoyable skills of the longbow. Our Glenapp trained archery instructors have all the equipment on site to test your capabilities within the woods of Glenapp. Our instructors will introduce the sport and teach the basic skills to take part in progressive games and fun tasks. From balloon popping to points games an archery session is great fun for all ability levels. This is a great fun sport suitable for all the family all year round.
Guided Mountain Bike Tours – Mountain biking provides the opportunity to explore coastal paths and forest trails with terrains to suit all abilities. Accompanied by an experienced cycling guide with great knowledge of the local area, who will take you on an invigorating adventure by bike. The Ayrshire Coastal Path at the edge of our estate is a hidden gem and you are unlikely to see to many people, but you will experience remote beaches and ancient woodlands and on a good day panoramas all the way to Ireland. This is a great experience suitable for all the family.
Curling – Curling is a sport for all, enjoyed by young and not so young alike. Glenapp Guests will be met by the curling rink manager and will enjoy a welcome hot beverage, followed by a 45 minute “How to Curl lesson” with an accredited curling coach from the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, followed by a 45 minute game finishing with afternoon tea.
Canoeing – Glenapp Castle being situated in this beautiful part of Southwest Scotland makes it the perfect location for canoeing. With some of Scotland’s finest inland lochs, rivers and coastline this is a perfect way for all the family to get together and enjoy an adventure out on the water. Canoeing is a fantastic activity for experts and beginners alike, and our amazing instructors can tailor the experience to suit everyone. Spend some quality time with the family and get out on the water at Maidens Harbour or Girvan Harbour or a little further afield at Loch Trool or Loch Marberry and create some everlasting memories in the great outdoors.
Kayaking – Kayaking is an activity suitable for all! It is a fun way to get all the family together in the fresh outdoors and beautiful scenery. Our experienced instructors will show you how to handle the Kayak and make the most of this experience. You will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful Local Ayrshire Lochs or the wonderful coastline – location is dependent on the good old Scottish weather.
Horse Riding at Turnberry – Create lasting memories in the fresh Scottish air while enjoying the surrounds of wonderful scenery with horse riding at Turnberry Stables. Turnberry’s very own beach with such a captivating coastline allows for invigorating rides and breath-taking views across the iconic Ailsa Craig and Isle of Arran. Guests can choose from a variety of activities including trekking, beach rides and lessons, making this a perfect day out for all the family to enjoy!
Glenapp Castle’s all-year tennis court is great fun for both children and adults alike find your “inner” Andy Murray and enjoy your Game, Set and Match. The tennis court is complementary, and guests have access to all the Glenapp tennis equipment, automated ball machine or enjoy a private lesson to perfect the different strokes and skills needed to be a master of this fantastic sport.
A game of croquet or French boules? Simply make your way to the beautifully manicured lawn of Glenapp Castle, unleash your competitive side with a fun game for all the family.
Whether you’re in need of a long-overdue massage or simply want to pamper yourself with a facial or manicure, the experienced Glenapp beauty therapists are on hand to help. They’ll even pop in for a pre-dinner makeover.
For those who want to keep up with their fitness routine? You’ll find yoga mats (yoga tuition available), weights and hula hoops waiting for you. And, the apartment even has its own private sauna which means you can relax without leaving the apartment….
South Ayrshire, Dumfries, and Galloway are full of surprises for castle guests. The beautiful isles off the west coast of Scotland with their whisky distilleries and wildlife are there to be discovered and accessible by the castle’s boat. On land, the history of the region can be seen through its ancient monuments and castles while the local traditions are celebrated in the many music and arts festivals and country shows.
