Things to do in Ayr with Kids
If you are looking for an activity to do with your children in Ayr, look no further than the Alloway Railway Tunnel Mural. It’s a real hidden gem! you'll visit a huge 300m fantastic piece of community artwork that lines the walls and ceiling of a railway tunnel. (an ideal activity if it’s a rainy day!) It’s free to visit. The tunnel is open 24/7, 365 days a year and is very accessible.
The artwork has been done by mural artist Chris Rutterford with the help of 2500 people from the local community. The paintings tell some of the stories about the history of Ayrshire and many of the illustrations show and tell poems by Robert Burns such as the well-known story of ‘Tam O’shanter’ and ‘To a Mouse.’
Try our Scavenger Hunt
The details in the paintings are incredible. There is so much to see here and each time you visit you will find something new. For children of primary school ages, we have created a Scavenger Hunt which really engages the children as they run around trying to find some of the mythical creatures in the mural. You can download a copy of this for only £5 from our web shop and print off as many copies as you need. Here is the link. Mural Scavenger Hunt
Very Instagramable
We have fabulous fairy wings in one of the corners of the tunnel – so this is a must for a photo! We’ve lost count of the number of fairies hidden in the mural – another activity perhaps. The fairy door is magical if you can find that in the dark woods.
Cute creatures such as foxes, badgers, mice, owls, sheep, lambs, highland cows, dairy cows, puffins, sea gulls, are firm favourites of our young visitors.
However, we happen to know that it’s the scary mythical creatures that are the most photographed; witches, warlocks, ghosts, skeletons, flying pigs, a haggis with a kilt and a wonderful dragon called Bob.
Get the children to lie on the ground and look up at the ceiling to spot many more mythical creatures created by mural artist Ross McCrae.
So, lots to spark little imaginations and we know how much little people will enjoy inventing some fun activities of their own.
Show and Tell
In addition to the artwork, you will find many QR Codes displayed in Celtic circles around the mural with links to short films to help us tell stories of Ayrshire history and to hear some songs and poems from local performers.
Don’t miss the full recital of Tam O’shanter – a tale by Robert Burns performed by Bob Cameron. (You can find this link outside the tunnel at the end of the scene of this poem where Tam escapes the witches)
What else can we do?
If the children have bikes or scooters, we have a great new surface for cycling, scooting and wheeling. You can start a lovely family walk or cycle from here and go as far as you want down the safe, traffic free, cycle path. In three miles you will reach Greenan Shore / Castle and you can keep going over the Millennium Bridge to the Ayr promenade. Or follow the signposts to Bellise Park which has a super play park, amazing old trees for climbing and nice areas for a picnic or on the way to the park visit the Secret Garden Café on the banks of the River Doon.
Close to the tunnel is the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum where you can enjoy delicious food in the café and there is an excellent playpark at the rear of the museum. If you are a NTS member you can visit the museum and Burns Cottage and there is a lovely shop to buy gifts and ice cream.
The tunnel is also close to Rozelle Park which is lovely for a family walk to see the ducks, follow the storybook trail around the park and spot Scottish story book characters made from wicker.
It’s only a short walk to see the Brig a Doon where Tam and Meg escaped from the witches. A lovely spot for more family photos.
How to find the Alloway Tunnel
From Glasgow – it’s about 45mins drive to Ayr down the M77 signposted Kilmarnock.
This leads to the A77 to Ayr / Alloway and look out for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum brown signs. The postcode for your sat nav is KA7 4PQ. You can park in the museum car park if you want to visit there too and use their facilities of cafe, toilets, shop, playpark etc.
There is also on street parking on Murdochs Lone, Old Nicks View or Monument Road.
You can find us about a 5 min walk away opposite the museum just follow the signs: Cross the road at the traffic lights and turn left (don't go over the foot bridge). Walk about 200m and you will see signs for the Alloway Tunnel entrance. Go down the ramp, turn left and the entrance is ahead of you.
If you have the What 3 Words App: minds.forces.clocks
Have a great day out in Alloway! Don’t forget to write a review on Google or Trip Advisor and share photos and day trip ideas with other visitors.
Shelagh McLachlan
Trustee
