Craig Tara occupies the site of Butlin's Ayr, built in 1939, used as a naval training camp through the war and run as a holiday camp until Haven took it over in 1999. It is a large static-caravan and lodge park on the coast south of Ayr, with an indoor pool, entertainment venues, shops, eating places, activities and direct access to a beach.
It is, in every respect, the opposite of Girvan — big, bright and organised — and for a family with young children on a wet week it can be exactly what is wanted.
The thing to know
The facilities are for park guests. Haven parks operate as self-contained holiday resorts, and access to the pool, entertainment and activities generally comes with a booking rather than being available to walk in and buy. Arrangements vary from park to park and season to season, so if you are not staying and want to use anything, contact Haven directly first — do not drive up and hope.
You will also find older listings mentioning a funfair at Craig Tara. Recent visitor accounts indicate the fairground rides were removed to make room for more caravan pitches, so do not plan around one.
The setting
It sits on the Heads of Ayr, the headland between Dunure and Ayr, with the Ayrshire Coastal Path running past and a beach below. Heads of Ayr Farm Park is close by, Dunure is a couple of miles south and Ayr five minutes north.
If you are staying in Girvan instead
The equivalents locally are quieter and mostly free: the Quay Zone pool at Girvan harbour, the beach and play park, and Culzean's adventure playgrounds twenty minutes north. See Girvan with children.
