Dean Castle Country Park — Attraction in Scotland

I live within a few metres of Dean Park. It's a beautiful place to walk or go for a picnic. The castle has recently been renovated and looks great.

There's a coffee shop, fields with goats, sheep, deer, donkeys, horses, pigs. There's wild deer there too ( big guys) if you're lucky to see them. Also ponds with ducks, geese, frogs ponds. There's no Zebra or Lions but there is a Giraffe at the top of Assloss Road peeking over the fence usually ( yes, really go there and see!)

My favourite is 'the Old Fella' in the picture. He's a big old ram. He's a bit moody but over time we've become friends.

The park is much bigger than you might think at first, I don't know my left from my right and have got lost there in the past. But reasonably intelligent people will follow the coloured marker posts. I'm directionally thick.

If you have a dog, you really need to go there with your pup(s) There's so many people take their dogs there regularly that you'll make friends and so will your legs x4 friends. People with dogs I find tend to be really nice and friendly and their dogs just light up your day. I confess I learn the dogs names but can't remember their owners?

There's a lot of 'poo bins' so the park is pretty clean if you know what I mean and safe for kids.

The waterfalls are quite soporific, I just lean against the walls of the stone bridge next to the castle and listen to the water tumbling over and chill out.

There's a wee beach where two streams come together and in low water and high temperatures you'll see people letting their dogs go for a nice cool swim. You'll be amazed how many dogs can ( and love) being in the water and they're quite safe.

If you want to provide even more education for your kids, go fossil hunting in the river when it's low. I've personally seen some pretty amazing fossils come from there. Even if you don't find any it's fun looking. Or you can just skim stones?

I grew up in Kilmarnock and was in this park many times as a child. To me, it's a wonderful place. I left for many years and I'm privileged now to live within a few metres of it. I'm getting old now, but I hope to be walking through it for my last 20+ years ( accidents not accounted for)

If you're happy or feeling low ( I've been there feeling both) go there. You'll...

A really lovely place to visit when the sun is out. There are three different trails that you can follow or you can just go to visit the castle, rural life centre, and visitor centre (which are both free!).

The walks were different lengths and not too strenuous but very scenic. The castle is so marvellous and has many different sections that you can explore, such as the palace, the keep, etc. (It is hard to believe it is free entry!). The rural life centre has some deer, bunnies, and a pig, all of which were fun to see! On the farm trail you can see more animals, like sheep, goats and horses. The visitor centre has a nice little cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, and the prices are great. There are a good number of free toilets and bins around the park which many places lack, so I praise Dean Country Park for this!

The only downside to this visit was that the map and directions can be very confusing at times and I often got lost. I think the map could be a lot clearer and include smaller paths and bridges.

Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone, from couples to families with young children, there is fun to be had here for everyone! If you go in the spring, the lambs and ducklings...

Dean Castle Country Park is a spectacular and absolutely free day out for the whole family! Nestled right in Kilmarnock, this place is an oasis of history and nature that feels a million miles away from the town.

The highlight, of course, is the magnificent 14th-century Dean Castle itself. The recent renovations have been done beautifully, and exploring its history and world-class collections of arms and armor is truly captivating.

Beyond the castle, the country park is an adventure waiting to happen. We spent hours wandering the woodland paths, spotting wildlife, and just soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

The park is clearly a source of pride for the community. The facilities are excellent, and there's a lovely cafe, "The Laird's Table," for a well-deserved coffee and cake. It's a place that caters to everyone, whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a family looking for a fun day out.

Dean Castle Country Park is a treasure. I can't believe it's free to visit. It's a shining example of what a local park can be, and I highly recommend it to anyone in the area or even just...