PLAY PARKS (NEAR CAFÉS)
THE DEN & PUMP TRACK
LOCAL
The Den in Auchenblae, a short drive or cycle from the cottage, offers fun for all ages. You'll find a play park for toddlers and younger kids. For older kids, the play fort provides endless hours of fun.
Next to the fort there's a zip line and giant tyre swing.
The Den is contained but offers plenty of space and places to explore; great for a lengthy game of hide 'n' seek.
The paths around the Den offer a good walk for the dog while the kids play. Take the high path for a lovely view of the hills. The stream is fun to play in on warmer days so take spare clothes if the kids fancy a paddle, or wellies for colder days.
A few minutes up the hill to the right is the Pump Track, suitable for all ages. Turn left out of the Den carpark to reach the local shop for treats.
10 MIN DRIVE FROM COTTAGE
LAURENCEKIRK
SKATE PARK, PLAY PARK & FOOTBALL PITCH
A nice little park for the little ones with a skate and scooter park and a zip line for older kids.
Enough space to walk the dogs around the perimeter.
Walk to the High Street for a lovely cuppa and great bakes at Gannets café.
20 MIN DRIVE FROM COTTAGE
STONEHAVEN
PLAY PARK, SKATE PARK, BEACH & OUTDOOR POOL
Kids of all ages will love the Queen Elizabeth play park. Slides, a pirate ship, giant climbing frame, zip wire and more provide both younger and older kids with plenty to get their imaginations going. Skaters and BMXers will love the purpose-built skate park.
The park is located beside the Leisure Centre and a two minute walk from the beach. On the beachfront you'll find sweets, treats, ice-cream and coffee at the famous Aunty Betty's, Molly's Café and the best Fish n Chips in Scotland! from The Bay.
Enjoy a lovely walk along the beach with the dog, keep going till you get to the harbour at the far end (20 mins) for coffee/beer/ice-cream. The whole family can happily enjoy this area of Stonehaven.
MONTROSE | 30 MIN DRIVE
SEAFRONT SPLASH
PLAY PARK, PADDLING PLAY & CAFÉ
Seafront Splash is play area with a whole host of adventure play equipment and a splash zone area, complete with water jets. A ‘construction’ site as well as other pieces of interactive equipment and a new play area for children with disabilities has been built, all suitable for older kids as well as little ones.
Next to the play area there is a café, small promenade, ample car parking, picnic tables and access to toilets in the Trail Pavilion.
Enjoy a game of pitch and putt on the East Links, which is directly behind the Play Area. You'll find Roos Leap here too, for burgers, pasta and salads.
All of this is just behind Montrose beach, so the dog can enjoy a good splash too.
MONTROSE | 30 MIN DRIVE
CHARLETON
PICK YOUR OWN, PLAY PARK, CAFÉ & SHOP
Make a day of it in Montrose especially when the weather allows for outdoor activity. At Charleton Fruit Farm where you'll find a huge play area stuffed with trampolines, play houses, hay maze, a giant fort with giant slides, toddler cars, go-karts and usually something new every year! So much fun to be had!
You can also pick fruit, eat in or out, shop farm goodies and enjoy a rest while the kids play, for hours!
Afterwards, you can treat the dog and the kids to a walk along the Montrose Beach and to really tire them out visit the Seafront Splash by the beach, a sandy play park with purpose built splashing areas, especially fun for younger kids but there's plenty of cranes and climbing frames for older kids.
There're a couple of cafés here too... If you fancy staying out for dinner you'll find great burgers (veggie ones too) at the spacious and fun Roos Leap, just behind the golf course (2 mins in the car).
ABERDEEN | 30 MIN DRIVE
DUTHIE PARK
PLAY PARKS, OPEN SPACES & CAFÉ
Duthie Park is loved by locals and visitors due to its wonderfully restored Victorian features such as the Band Stand, fountains and boating ponds. The park also has an astro turf area for ball games and three other play areas; the more adventurous park is set in sand, situated to the right of the main entrance.
The Park Café is also very popular with visitors.
The ‘Winter Gardens’ houses one of the most visited public indoor plant collections in Scotland and provides an oasis away from the typical North East weather!
Duthie Park is a great place for dog walks, picnics, children riding bikes and visits in all weathers.
BRECHIN | 25 MIN DRIVE
BRECHIN CASTLE CENTRE
COUNTRY PLAY PARK, CAFÉ & GARDEN CENTRE
Make a day of it in Montrose especially when the weather allows for outdoor activity. At Charleton Fruit Farm where you'll find a huge play area stuffed with trampolines, play houses, hay maze, a giant fort with giant slides, toddler cars, go-karts and usually something new every year! So much fun to be had!
You can also pick fruit, eat in or out, shop farm goodies and enjoy a rest while the kids play, for hours!
Afterwards, you can treat the dog and the kids to a walk along the Montrose Beach and to really tire them out visit the Seafront Splash by the beach, a sandy play park with purpose built splashing areas, especially fun for younger kids but there's plenty of cranes and climbing frames for older kids.
There're a couple of cafés here too... If you fancy staying out for dinner you'll find great burgers (veggie ones too) at the spacious and fun Roos Leap, just behind the golf course (2 mins in the car).