Cavens

Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway
Hotel
+44 (0)1387 880234
Visit owner's website

From
£250 - £450
per night

A splendid supper à la carte (three courses) is included here, together with airy rooms and sweeping gardens. The Solway Firth is close

Bedroom

5 rooms

Sleeps

Rooms sleep 2

Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome

£250 - £450 per night

The Experience

Leave the world behind you, take the road south from Dumfries, and soon you’re rolling through lush country with hardly a soul in sight. Sunlight plays in the trees, ridges run down to fields, then suddenly you turn a corner and the Solway Firth is sparkling before your eyes. This comfortingly traditional small hotel offers a homely atmosphere in which to unwind and relax in peace.

Two sitting rooms have open fires, period art and lots of books, then doors onto a garden where only birdsong will disturb you. As for the rooms, three are huge, one has the feel of a library, and all have smart fabrics, super beds and garden views. Angus cooks delicious dinners from local ingredients – venison, beef, duck, today’s catch from nearby waters, wine from the 18th-century cellar.

Start your day with local granola and a full Scottish, set out to explore Scotland’s ‘hidden’ coastline with its stunning beaches and southerly views to the Lakes.

Cavens - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Tasting interesting wines and eating very good food, cooked at home with care and from the finest ingredients
  • Exploring the Galloway coastline, watching birds, cycling, swimming and walking, relishing the lack of crowds
  • Sitting in the garden with a book on a sunny day, admiring the view
Cavens - Gallery

You should know

  • The hotel caters mainly for the over 60s, maintaining an elegant, quiet atmosphere
  • Two of the bedrooms are dog-friendly. Maximum two dogs but not allowed in the public rooms or garden

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Spa
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Bar
  • Barbecue
  • Licensed premises
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from £250
Surcharges
Singles £140-£200. Extra bed/sofabed available £40 per person per night.
4 Doubles
From £250
1 Twin
From £350

Information

Booking information

Check in
From 3pm
Check out
By 11am
Other details
3-course dinner included in room rate. Pets by arrangement.
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property
Meals
Full 3-course dinner included in room rate.

Reviews

If you're sick of 'cookie cutter' hotel chains, Cavens is a wonderfully refreshing change. Think traditional British country house as guests of the family rather than generic decor and food. Owners Angus and Jane, supported by a small staff of local young people, couldn't be more welcoming or accommodating. Despite its size, the house feels cosy and friendly with gorgeous bedrooms and spacious, comfortable public areas. Meals are a treat too. Don't expect a vast menu, rather a few things done well - good ingredients and first class cooking. All in all, a real gem for a restful break.

Karen, Glasgow

Outstanding cooking and such comfortable surroundings. We were 4 friends on an annual get together and Cavens was by far the best small hotel we have stayed in, we would all like to visit again.

Rosemary, Peeblesshire

This review really is long overdue! My friend who visited from Austria and I were at a wedding nearby this particular weekend. We attended the evening reception only and had dinner at Cavens hotel. The meal was absolutely incredible, the best steak we had ever had in our lives cooked by Angus. Angus and Jane were very hospitable and even drove us the wedding reception venue. Great people and beautiful hotel.

Donna, Strathaven

Cavens is a joy. Relaxed luxury. Gorgeous rooms. Ours was huge with wonderful view across gracious lawns. The warmth and kindness of Angus and Jane is second to none. Delicious food. Within easy reach of wonderful bird watching places. Could not recommend it more highly.

Caroline, near Ripon, Yorkshire

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

The house is set within sweeping lawns on the edge of the Solway Firth. There are many good beaches nearby for long walks, rock-pooling and picnics. Great birdwatching at nearby RSPB Mersehead (15 mins), or half an hour to Castle Douglas for small shops and antiques. Rockcliffe is perfect for ice cream and a paddle, Kippford for the boats, sailing and great pubs. Loch Arthur Farm Shop is 30 mins.

Local points of interest from Jane & Angus Fordyce

  • Dumfries House is just nearby with its walled gardens and enjoy Threave Gardens with guided walks and tours all year round.
  • Practice your back swing at Southerness Golf course, just a 5 minute drive away.
  • There is no shortage of historic buildings, including 17th century Drumlanrig Castle, 13th century Sweetheart Abbey
  • Take a ramble along the stunning Solway Coastal Path for spectacular views over the Firth and enjoy the hidden treasures of Kippford and Rockcliffe.
  • There are fantastic opportunities for nature lovers, with over 30 different species of birds in our garden alone, and nearby reserves such as RSPB Mersehead and WWT Caerlaverock, which also boasts a triangular medieval castle.
  • Loch Arthur Creamery and Farm Shop is part of the Camp Hill Trust. Some of their award winning cheeses can be sampled on our cheese board, and a visit for lunch at their café should not be missed!

Introducing

Jane & Angus Fordyce

Angus, Jane and their two daughters have been at Cavens for many years and Angus is very experienced in the hotel trade. As well as being an accomplished cook he manages a marvellous wine cellar. He is keen on country pursuits and has two Labradors. He only buys local food and there are some excellent suppliers nearby so you are fed very well.