If you’re looking to properly switch off without having to go too far, Westlands Country Park near Annan is worth putting on your radar. It’s a sizeable site with all sorts of accommodation on offer, but we stayed in one of their escape pods – and it hit the spot.
The Visit
The escape pod is set up perfectly for two people, though it can sleep up to four if needed. Inside it’s cosy without feeling cramped – there’s a generous seating area, all the kitchen essentials you’d want (fridge, oven, microwave), and a TV loaded with smart apps including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. The WiFi held up well throughout the stay with no issues streaming anything, which honestly makes or breaks a self-catering trip.
The undeniable star of the show, though, is the hot tub sitting right outside on your own decking. There’s something genuinely great about stepping straight out the door and into it – no trek across a site, no sharing, just yours for the stay. We used it plenty.
The wider grounds are well kept and well worth a wander. Keep your eyes open for the peacocks – there are a few roaming around the site, with brilliant colours, and you can pick up food from reception to feed them. A brilliant wee touch.
One thing worth flagging: the site also offers clay pigeon shooting, so you’ll likely hear shots during the day. There’s a gun shop in the visitors centre too, but that’s simply because shooting is one of the activities on offer here – fishing is another. It’s worth knowing about so it doesn’t catch you off guard.
The visitors centre is right at the entrance to the site and it’s a proper bonus. There’s a check-in desk, shop, bar and restaurant all under one roof. We timed it well with the weather and ended up there for pints one afternoon, and went back for dinner one evening too. The space is modern, the staff were genuinely friendly, and we’d absolutely recommend making use of it.
We also made a trip out to Gretna Gateway Outlet Village, which is about a 12-minute drive away – a good shout if you fancy a few hours browsing the shops.
The Verdict
Westlands is a well-run site with a lot going for it – the escape pod with its private hot tub, the welcoming visitors centre, and enough nearby to keep you occupied if you venture out. We’ll definitely be back to try one of the other lodge types; this one left us wanting more. There’s a Tesco about ten minutes away too, so no stress if you’ve forgotten anything you can’t find in the onsite shop.
The Details
| 📍 Address | Westlands Country Park, Annan, DG12 |
| 🤑 Price | Varies by lodge type and season |
| 🔗 Book | https://www.westlands.co.uk |
| 🚇 Getting There | Approx. 1hr 20 from Glasgow via A74(M) |
| 💡 Good to Know | Clay pigeon shooting takes place on site – you may hear shots during the day. Tesco approx. 10 min drive. |
