Ayrshire

Ayrshire mixes coastline, farmland and moorland, with towns and villages that suit very different trips. The Isle of Arran offers hills and sea in one compact package, while Turnberry and Maidens sit along the golfing coast, the former grand and championship-minded, the latter a small, unhurried fishing village nearby. Saltcoats has the feel of a traditional seaside town, with a working harbour and beach outlook.

Inland, Maybole serves as a market town with links to Ayrshire's Burns heritage, while Dalry offers a quieter base amid the Garnock valley. Further east, Auchinleck and Muirkirk reflect the county's mining and moorland past, both practical stops for those exploring the wilder uplands rather than the coast. Together these places give visitors a choice between beaches, golf and hills, depending on the pace they prefer.

All eight of our Ayrshire hotels and B&Bs sit on the Isle of Arran, which makes choosing largely a matter of which coast and pace of island life suits you. Brodick is the natural base, with the Douglas Hotel and Auchrannie Resort offering a wider range of facilities for those wanting a proper break rather than just a bed.

Further round the island, places like the Kinloch Hotel at Blackwaterfoot, the Kildonan Hotel on the south coast, and the Lagg Hotel near Kilmory suit those keen on quieter scenery and easy access to walking routes. Lamlash has the Glenisle Hotel, while smaller options such as Rosaburn Lodge Guest House and the Ormidale Hotel give a more low-key alternative to the resort-style stays.

Given Arran's compact size, distance between these bases is rarely an issue, so it is worth picking on views and atmosphere rather than location alone.

Ayrshire's coastline shapes most days out here, with a run of sandy beaches from Saltcoats down towards Turnberry and Maybole. Culzean Castle, perched above the Firth of Clyde near Maybole, is the county's grandest attraction, its clifftop grounds and parkland worth a full day on their own.

Further along the coast, Croy Beach, Turnberry Beach and Craig Tara Beach offer a quieter alternative, backed by golf links and open views across to Arran. Saltcoats Beach sits closer to the town itself, handy for combining a walk along the sands with a look round the harbour. Between the castle grounds and the beaches, Ayrshire suits a mix of active and lazy days without much travelling between them.

Ayrshire's eating and drinking scene runs from harbour-town cafes to solid pub kitchens, with the coast providing the main draw for visitors deciding where to stop. Places like Seagate Leisure Cafe and Cafe Rosaburn suit a break between beaches and golf courses, while the Isle of Arran adds its own small cluster of cafes and diners for those exploring the island.

Inland, towns such as Muirkirk offer a quieter choice, with local cafes and grill houses serving the farming communities rather than passing tourists. Stag's Pavilion, Dunbars Diner and Phoenix Grill House give a flavour of the everyday pub and cafe fare found across the county, while spots like the Benedictine Monastery Tearoom show there's a more unusual stop or two worth seeking out.

With so many options spread across coast, countryside and island, it's worth deciding whether you want a proper sit-down meal or just good coffee and cake before choosing where to head.

Ayrshire's mix of coastline, farmland and hill country gives campers and glampers plenty of choice, from touring pitches with sea views to secluded pods tucked into the countryside. Isle of Arran alone accounts for a good share of the county's sites, with places like Glen Rosa and Runach Arainn Glamping making the most of the mountain backdrop, while Barra Sands Campsite and Auld Broadlie Aire suit those wanting to be closer to the shore.

Inland, sites near Auchinleck, Dalry and Maybole tend to be quieter and better suited to longer stays, with options ranging from simple touring parks such as The Walled Garden Touring Park to more comfortable stays at Bracken Barns Glamping & Therapy or Balbeg Longhouses. Culzean Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site offers a base close to one of the area's best-known estates, and Bridgend Campsite and Raven's Gully add further choice for those exploring further afield.