Lockerbie, a gateway to Scotland and a gateway to the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway.
The Best Western Dryfesdale Country House Hotel was a unique find I must say. Set in a glorious location with views galore. This place is great as a stepping stone to beyond on a journey or as a base to really explore the area. Approaching the hotel via an avenue of glorious Beech Trees set the tone for a wonderful evening and night stay.
The setting is wonderfully in a raised five acres of green parkland that gives views no matter whether you are outside the hotel or looking out of your room window.
The room I was in was extremely spacious, warmly decorated with a huge and luxurious bed. One of the best nights sleep away in a while to be honest. Being on the ground floor allowed the wide french window double doors with the views across the parkland and a lovely spot for sitting on your private patio outside. Tip, a great spot to catch a Scottish sunset.
All 29 room are en suite plus for those wanting some extra romance you could also take one of the four poster bedrooms 🙂
The hotel building dates all the way back to 1729 and the land and views around can be seen below from a photo I took from above. Made me want to come back when I have extra days to explore the surroundings, that is for sure.
Inside the hotel you get the feel of an old and wonderful building combined with amenities and comfort of the modern age. All you would expect from a hotel of this stature and size.
Oh by the way, they have their own little 9 hole putting green if you want to have some different fun in the fresh air, or of course keep the children entertained with something different in the setting. Free for guests naturally.
I must mention also the staff. From the moment you walk in to the time you leave, the staff are ready to help and with a welcoming smile. Not intrusive in any way. From reception to restaurant to the bar, the ambience is greatly lifted by the way the managers and staff go about their business.
The decor throughout can be seen to keep original old combined lovely with modern decor.
As I wandered around the hotel for a look I soon saw plenty of other reasons this hotel is popular. Conference rooms for business meetings, plus they were setting up for the weekend’s wedding ceremony. Being able to host the ceremonies themselves too, it is obviously popular for those that want to get married and have the reception and guest accommodation in the same place.
The set up looked wonderful, I hope the happy couple had a marvellous time!
After settling in and a walk round it was time to go and enjoy a lovely meal. I had perused the menu earlier and my mouth was watering. Choices and decisions. I had come off my Keto diet especially so was going to enjoy every mouthful!
For starter? I went for Red Snapper, with crab and prawn, and a lemon and basil dressing. Yummy.
Now then, the main, choices choices. I realised I hadn’t had duck, that I enjoy, in a while so wanted to go for that. With wild garlic and savoy timbale. It was presented wonderfully and cooked lovely.
But I must admit the lamb saddle, another favourite looked amazing too. With Celeriac puree and a haggis scotch egg.
After all that wonderful richness I was looking for something other than sweetness for dessert and went for the cheeseboard. Wow, a full on cheeseboard it was! More wine please….
Phew. That calls for another walk around the grounds in the sunshine and to watch the sunset over Dumfries. What a wonderful evening and a wonderful way to end the day.
And to wind down before relaxing to slumber in bed I took a little time to sit with a fine drink of gin in the bar ante room.
I talked to a few other guests staying the night and really got the sense that this was a place they either often came as a more luxurious but well priced stop off on a long drive further north. Or it was their annual visit as a base to discover the magic of Dumfries and Galloway.
Check out the Dryfesdale Hotel if you are aver planning a stay in the Lockerbie area, enjoy! I did.
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