Forest of Galloway?

[NearlyAlwaysInsane]

We're planning a break and were wondering what the Forest of Galloway is like? We're keen to avoid crowds and find some places to do walks etc. that are not rammed like the Lake District might be. But it's difficult to find much info on the place. If anyone has holidayed around there, how was it for you & family?

Hopeful bump!

It’s a lovely part of the country and so much less crowded than the Lake District. Lots of lovely towns and villages nearby.

It is also one of the few dark parks in the UK for viewing the night sky.

It's absolutely beautiful and much less busy than the Lakes. We used to live in the Lakes and would go up to Dumfries & Galloway to escape the crowds in the summer!

I live right on the edge and it’s lovely. For a day trip.
I can’t imagine what you’d do for a holiday there.
As PP said the dark skies observatory is quite good but the road to get there is NIGHTMARE and I’m very used to driving country roads.

Dumfries & Galloway on the whole is rather lovely with lots to offer for a relaxing holiday. I can't comment too much on the Galloway forest park itself but know the nearby coast very well. The area is quite unspoilt and doesn't suffer from a huge influx of tourists unlike other similar areas. There are lots of lovely beaches (mainly shingle and rocky with some sand) which are generally quite quiet and uncrowded. Beautiful rolling hills and forests, rather than mountains, for walking or mountain biking. Reasonable choice of accommodation from rental cottages and caravans to Glamping/camping, B&B's, pubs with rooms and hotels. My advice would be to base yourself in one of the nicer small towns or villages e.g. Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart or Wigtown so that you have easy access to shops (some great local butchers, bakers & fishmongers as well as galleries and gift shops) and places to eat out. Then you can drive out for the day into the forest park or along the coast. Logan Botanical Gardens and the Isle of Whithorn lighthouse are a bit further southwest but worth a trip too. Worth a mention too is that the climate along that coast can be quite pleasant, often milder and sunnier than other parts of Scotland. Happy to answer any other questions you might have. Let us know how you get on.

It's lovely - one of my favourite places to visit. Beautiful scenery, nice beaches and so much quieter than the Lake District/other parts of Scotland.

We go a lot, especially to cycle in the forests as there are miles and miles of designated off road routes (you will need a decent bike as hilly and gravelly).

Just wanted to correct a mistake I made in my last post (it was too late at night!).
I mentioned a lighthouse on the Isle of Whithorn which was wrong, it's actually the Mull of Galloway.