What to See & Do in Stranraer
SightsOver the years, Stranraer has served as a market town, seaport, garrison town and administrative centre. Today it is an ideal focal point for those with leisure time to spend in the town and in the surrounding gentle countryside.
The Castle of St John now houses a museum. Stranraer has rather more going for it than usually gets mentioned in the guide books. The town centre is surprisingly attractive and bustling, and while it helps to see it on a sunny day, the whites and bright colours of many of the buildings make it brighter in any light.
Take a walk around ‘the Toon’ and along the shore, visiting the museum and the Castle of St. John where the view from the roof is magnificent. Stranraer is a great centre for the serious walker and is skirted by the Southern Upland Way. For those who enjoy a garden walk, three famous gardens in the area are open to the public - Castle Kennedy, Glenwhan and Logan.
Children love Agnew Park with its pedal boats, train rides, adventure playground and crazy golf, whilst adults can enjoy a seat to watch the ferries set off up the loch en route for Ireland. Stranraer has several beaches, but travel a few miles out of town to Sandhead and New England Bay for miles of sand, or all around the loch for pebbly beaches. The Sailing Club at Wig Bay is a haven for yachts of all sizes.
When it’s wet visit the Ryan Centre and swim in the Leisure Pool, or hire a hall for badminton or ball games. You could also spend an evening at the Ryan Theatre to watch a film or see a live show.
Eating Out
Eating out locally offers plenty of opportunities to sample the local produce - fresh, Scottish and in season. Stranraer has a range of restaurants offering British, Chinese, Indian, Turkish and Italian dishes, whilst the town centre has a variety of eateries serving pizza, kebabs, fish and chips, light snacks, curries, sandwiches and bar meals to suit all pockets.
