Hoddom Castle Caravan Park

Please tour this web site to discover more about Hoddom Castle Caravan Park and complete the booking/enquiry form if you wish to stay or have any further queries.THE CHILL PODS at Hoddom CastleWelcome to the Chill Pods at Hoddom. These buildings are a new addition and have already created enormous interest not only at Hoddom but globally. These are designed and built by us, so we have put in a lot of hours to get them right. The initial idea was to try and make camping a little more luxurious and warmer especially when our local climate lets us down. Inside each pod there is a double bed and 2 singles. Lighting and an electric socket for charging accessories. Each pod has double opening windows and a stable door to let some cool air flow through on the warmer days. Outside the door are 2 seats and timber decking. Barbecue stands are available from the shop to avoid burning the decking. For cooking you can either barbecue out on the decking or use the purpose made kitchen with four gas hobs, microwave, a fast boil Kettle and a toaster. A real luxury, toast on a camping holiday!! The Pods are situated 30 yards from the shower and toilet block and the shop, bar and restaurant, are no more than 60yards away. Your cars can be parked next to the pods but if the weather is wet, we ask that you leave your cars on the car park next to the Pods. We do hope you will enjoy your experience in our pods and any feedback good or bad would be greatly appreciated. THE KELO LODGEThe Kelo House is a new building which was introduced at Hoddom Castle in 2012. This has been specifically built for Hoddom. The main building is a traditional Finnish Kota, finished inside with a handmade bed from Lapland.The bed is made from very special wood from the Kelo tree. These trees are from the edge of the arctic circle where they grow for up to 200 years before they die. Once they die they don't fall down, the bark falls off and the tree continues to season while still standing. These are called 'snags'. They are then harvested after about 20 years of seasoning. These trees are controlled by the Finnish Government.We decided that a bed made from this timber would be something a bit special and totally unique. Not only have we made a 6'6" king size bed, we have also built a double bunk bed for two children. Now this really is glamping in style.The whole building has 50mm of king span insulation, including the roof and floor. The windows are double glazed and a heating system is also supplied, to keep you warm, whatever the weather throws at you.The children will love sleeping up in the bunk and a space is provided below the bunk with a sofa bean bag creating another sleeping space if need be.A double electric socket will be in each lodge for charging of accessories.All you need to bring is sleeping bags and pillows or either a double sheet and your own duvet if you want to feel more at home. You will also need your usual cooking equipment such as pots, pans, cutlery and mugs unless you are going to have breakfast, lunch and dinner in the restaurant and bar.The lodges are situated on the end of the camping field. It is about 60 yards to the shower and toilet block.ACTIVITIES at Hoddom Castle Caravan ParkThere are a variety of activities available to you at Hoddom Castle Caravan Park - here are just some of them: QUALITY GOLFJust a 2 minute walk from the site is an outstanding 9 hole golf course par33. The course is landscaped with natural woodland and man made features and is surrounded by the River Annan making it quite a challenging course.During the week an all day ticket is only £13.00.The weekends cost £16.00 for an all day ticket.After 4pm £10.00. FISHING ON HODDOM WATERThe River Annan at Hoddom is the most prolific Salmon fishing beat on the whole system. With an average of over 250 salmon per year, it is as good as many of the major Salmon Rivers of Scotland. The only difference being that Hoddom is the best value fishing in the UK for quality and beauty. To fish a beat with an average catch of 250 salmon on the River Tweed it will cost you over £200/day, going up to £500.Here at Hoddom it is £42+vat for 2012 in the prime weeks of September, October and November.For Brown trout fishing at the beginning of the year it is only £6+vat. It is also possible to catch a spring salmon at this time of year. Grayling Fishing is of exceptional quality at Hoddom, with several grayling over the 2 pound mark being caught most seasons.It is a beautiful stretch of water extending to 3 miles with 14 good salmon and sea trout pools. The beat is some of the most scenic fly water on the River. Fly fishing is the preferred method, with spinning only allowed when the water is above the red mark on Hoddom Bridge.We can organize casting lessons for all beginners, children, and experienced anglers through a local company Annanflyfishing.co.uk. Keith Snow who runs the lessons is fully qualified and is a superb teacher who makes it fun and interesting at the same time. He takes his lessons on the River at Hoddom Bridge at the entrance to Hoddom Castle.All fishing on the River has to be booked via Fishpal.comIt is possible to see the height of the river and whether it is rising or falling from the website, as well as fish catches and photos. It is worth having a look at Riverannan.co.uk which is an independent website and a very good one. KELHEAD WATERAlso on the Estate is an old disused Limestone Quarry, which is now used for fishing.It is 3 miles from the caravan park. It is very deep in places and care should be taken. The fishing here can be very productive when the conditions are right. The Bream here are of superb quality as are the Pike. The largest Pike so far is 42lb.Tickets for the quarry are from the cottage at the entrance. The staff in the shop at the park will direct you. COUNTRYSIDE RANGER SERVICES / COUNTRYSIDE WALKSThe Estate employs a Countryside Ranger whose job it is to manage footpaths, river banks, nature trails and the local flora and fauna. As well as managing these he also educates the children from local schools and people staying on the caravan site about how the countryside works. The Ranger has lots of work on the go at any one time and the children help him in lots of interesting projects. These might include checking bird boxes, badger watching, spotting wild deer, building bridges, tree planting or carrying out surveys on the beach. At certain times during the week and weekend he organises nature walks from the castle, these are highly informative and great fun as the children get involved. There is a visitor centre on the site which depicts the work of the Estate and gives illustrations of the local wildlife and flora. PLAYGROUNDThere is a childrens playground provided on the caravan site which has an extensive climbing area in a large sanded area in case of any slips. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILIn the woods surrounding the caravan site there is a mountain bike trail on which anyone can test their off-road skills for free. The track is about ½ mile long and twists and turns through thick bushes and trees.DirectionsHoddom Castle Caravan Park is just 1 hours drive from the heart of the Lake District, Galloway and The Borders and 2 hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh. The caravan site is ideally situated being only 5 minutes from the M6 and M74 motorways and is the perfect base for exploring Dumfriesshire and further afield.