The Area
Set in the historic village of New Abbey, Shambellie House is only a stones-throw from the Solway coast and the magnificent hill of Criffel. Further afield, Dumfries and Galloway has lots more to offer, so when planning your visit to us, why not extend your stay and discover its natural beauty, creativity and heritage?
Things To Do
If you are taking some time out in Dumfries and Galloway there’s lots to see and do around the New Abbey area.
Dumfries, the place Robert Burns made his home, is just 8 miles away and the town centre museums give you an insight into this man, as well as illustrating the rich and colourful history of the town. You can also find the Theatre Royal, the oldest theatre in Scotland, and Gracefields Arts Centre presenting a changing programme of contemporary visual art and craft exhibitions and activities.

For those of you interested in historic buildings and sites, in addition to Sweetheart Abbey and New Abbey Corn Mill in the village, there is also neighbouring Caerlaverock Castle, one of Scotland’s great medieval fortresses. Perhaps you would like to see the place where the Father of the American Navy was born, at the John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage Museum in Kirkbean, or the largest stone circle in mainland Scotland, the Twelve Apostles at Newbridge.

Dumfries and Galloway is blessed with the most fantastic gardens, forests and nature reserves, and near to New Abbey you will find RSPB Scotland Mersehead Nature Reserve and the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust’s Wetland Centre at Caerlaverock. Mabie Forest is home to one of the 7stanes mountain bike centres, as well providing trails, open spaces to play and picnic, and at Arbigland in Kirkbean you can discover 24 acres of gardens, with woodland walks, a lake, and a beach on the Solway Firth looking across to Cumbria.

For sporty types there is the DG1 leisure centre with swimming and fitness facilities, or ice skating and curling at the Ice Bowl in Dumfries. The area has a fantastic range of golf courses, and for the little ones, take a trip to Dalscone indoor play and farm park, or the Farmer’s Den soft play centre.
Accommodation
Whatever you’re looking for, you are sure to find beautiful accommodation in Dumfries and Galloway, whether it be caravans and campsites, traditional and boutique hotels, Bed & Breakfast or Guest Houses. To search for accommodation go to:
Places to Eat
Dumfries and Galloway is the home of Castle Douglas the Food Town, but there many fantastic places to eat and drink throughout the area. To search food and drink go to:
Special Offers
Accommodation and Local Businesses
We are pleased work with a number of partners and local businesses who have kindly provided offers and discounts to our workshop participants.

Our Workshops
Here at Shambellie House we offer workshops and courses delivered by experienced tutors on a range of creative topics, be it arts, heritage or environmental. All workshops benefit from the wonderful location and Shambellie’s retreat-like nature, with stunning views and glorious grounds and an abundance of flora and fauna which can’t fail to inspire.
We offer a range of workshops to suit participants, from half to full day, on week-days and weekends, daytime and evening. Full day workshops are catered for with deliciously tasty two course lunches and fresh coffees and teas throughout the day.