Countryside
Around Kilmarnock you can enjoy some of the finest countryside in South West Scotland. There are plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding, over wild moors or through secluded wooded gorges. There are also excellent visitor attractions such as Dean Castle & Country Park, which offers 200 acres of beautiful grounds, a visitor centre, fascinating historic collections, teashop and the 14th century castle itself.
Arts and Culture
Kilmarnock and its surroundings are widely acknowledged for the depth of exciting cultural events, destinations and innovations. It's why Kilmarnock won the coveted Creative Scotland Creative Place Award 2013. At the heart of the town's cultural personality you will discover the Dick Institute. With its programme of nationally important exhibitions, a superb permanent collection and fascinating work by contemporary artists, this is a creative space with a fast growing reputation.
For music and theatre there is the Grand Hall, which also incorporates the Palace Theatre. Together they form a flexible series of spaces for all kinds of events, from epic concerts to small scale drama, conferences and fairs.
Festivals
You'll find a real variety of festivals through the year, from the annual Kilmarnock Edition Festival which hosts major music names, to the Imprint Book Festival, which takes place at both the Dick Institute and Burns Monument Centre. Kilmarnock hotels also provide a comfortable base from which to sample various open-air festivals that give you the opportunity to really discover the area's glorious scenery, understand its diverse wildlife and explore their precious habitats.
Restaurants and cafés
The range of eating places and characterful cafés in Kilmarnock reflects its energetic, innovative flavour. At the award-winning Jefferson Restaurant for example you can savour stylishly prepared local and international dishes in smart surroundings. The stylish Café/Bar also serves afternoon tea and a range of cocktails. Meanwhile at The Longhouse you can indulge in prime Scottish steaks aged for 21 days while relaxing in welcoming and informal surroundings. At the Dragon Royale you can enjoy a subtle fusion of fine oriental flavours balanced with European influences. When you simply fancy a really good cup of coffee, why not stroll to The Coffee Press, where ethically grown coffee, locally sourced ingredients and attention to detail are very much on the menu, not to mention delicious cakes.
