Dumfries

A handful of contemporary art installations dot the landscape around this quiet market town, creating an unlikely outdoor gallery that most tourists walk straight past. Dumfries itself has the unhurried feel of a place that's seen better days - wide streets that feel a bit too empty on weekday afternoons, but with enough independent shops and cafes to reward a proper wander.

The real draw here is the cluster of unusual art pieces scattered through the surrounding countryside. The DNA Garden and Time Garden are part of a wider collection of contemporary works that include the wonderfully named Nonsense Pavilion and Garden of Taking Leave Of Your Senses. They're spread out enough to make a decent driving route, though you'll need to hunt for some of them.

Worth seeking out Terregles Church too - a lovely old building that sits alongside its war memorial, both offering a more traditional slice of Scottish border history. The contrast between ancient stone and modern installation art makes for an interesting afternoon.

Getting here is straightforward enough - Dumfries sits on the A75, the main route through this part of southwest Scotland. It's about 20 minutes from the M74 if you're coming from the north.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this corner of Dumfries and Galloway. You're well placed for day trips into the rolling countryside, and Dumfries Riverside Holiday Park gets consistently good reviews from families who appreciate having a proper base while they explore the area's mix of history and contemporary culture.