Dumfries area recommendations

[Zerro]

Where is nice to stay for a few days for 5 people within a short drive of Dumfries?
It will be in school holidays but we are adults only.

What type of activities do you want to do? Do you want to eat out?
Kippford is lovely on the coast. Lots of walks, very nice views I like Dalbeattie but it’s very much a working town
Theres near Caerlaverock, can’t remember the place name.
Slightly further out is castle Douglas, food town

Walking, nice views, eat out if possible, but we do have to go into Dumfries a few times. Is it worth staying in the town?

Do you want holiday cottage, caravan, hotel or b&b?

We stayed in a self catering cottage just outside Dumfries last year. There are several cottages converted from farm buildings in a courtyard, just off the main A75 road but very quite. The cottages are called Cargen Cottages. I contacted them via their Facebook page but I think they're on Airbnb too. We were there for an event in Dumfries which we cycled to from the cottage - there's a good cycleway that avoids all the main roads. We were only there for a couple of days for this specific event but it seems a lovely area and I'd definitely go back again.

My kids and I went to Kippford about 30 years with friends who knew it well. It was lovely and I’ve always hoped to go back. Sorry I can’t remember where we stayed, I think it was an inn.

I wouldn’t stay in Dumfries unless you’re being a cheapskate. I’d go for a coastal village just outside as the the views across the solway are stunning
All roads in the area lead to Dumfries and there’s plenty of free parking

Moffat is lovely

Thanks all, I'll look at all these.Kippford looks lovely, I would definitely prefer coastal if it's under half an hour to Dumfries. Cost not too important, a 3 bedroom cottage would be ideal as long as there's a pub or restaurant in walking distance.