Brief Description
The country park associated with Dean Castle was created from the remnants of the designed landscape, probably originally laid out in the 17th century. It covers over 80 hectares and consists largely of mixed woodland. There is also a disused walled garden. The site has been developed with country park facilities such as a visitor centre, adventure playground and riding school.
History
Dean Castle was the home of the Boyd family from the mid-14th to the mid-18th century, when the castle was gutted by fire and the estate given up. There is a description of an established designed landscape before the fire of 1735 but later maps show the house in ruins and the landscape diminished. The castle was restored by the 8th Lord Howard de Walden from 1899. His family gifted the estate to the people of Kilmarnock in 1974, after which the landscape was developed as a country park.
Visitor Facilities
The country park is open daily throughout the year. For details see: http://www.deancastle.com/park/visit.asp- Features
- Castle (featured building)
- Description: A 14th-century castle restored in the late-19th century.
- Access & Directions
Access Contact Details
The country park is open daily throughout the year. For details see: http://www.deancastle.com/park/visit.aspDirections
Access is from Dean Road at the north end of Kilmarnock. For details see: http://www.deancastle.com/content.asp?url=/images/local-maplarge.gif
- References
References
- Peter McGowan Associates with Christopher Dingwall, 'Dean Castle', in {Ayrshire Garden and Designed Landscape Survey} (Prestwick: South Ayrshire Council, 2007) [on CD-ROM]Ayrshire Garden and Designed Landscape Survey
- Millar, A. H., {The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire with Historical and Descriptive Accounts} (Glasgow: Grimsay Press, 2004), pp. 128-9The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire with Historical and Descriptive Accounts
- Close, R. (ed), {Ayrshire and Arran: An Illustrated Architectural Guide} (Edinburgh: The Rutland Press, 1992), p. 110Ayrshire and Arran: An Illustrated Architectural Guide
- {Ordnance Survey County Series Six Inch} (Southampton, 1854)Ordnance Survey County Series Six Inch
- Captain M. J. Armstrong and Son {A New Map of Ayrshire} (1775)A New Map of Ayrshire
- William Roy {Military Survey of Scotland} (1750)Military Survey of Scotland
- Joan Blaeu {Atlas Novus - South Carrick/North Carrick/Kyle/Cunninghame} (Amsterdam, 1654)Atlas Novus - South Carrick/North Carrick/Kyle/Cunninghame