Gretna Greens Famous Blacksmiths Shop

Gretna Green's Famous Blacksmiths Shop has a lot more to it these days than the well known elopement significance and is actually a lovely place to visit with the family offering several things to do with children, though somewhat predictably they are wedding themed! A great relief for kids who've been cooped up stuck on the M6 for hours! You'll see the intriguing Sculpture Garden as you arrive, which is flanked by rolling fields, with handsome Highland and Belted Galloway cattle milling about nearby. Near to the car park there are 2 children's adventure play areas, perfect for kids to stretch their legs and break up the journey. Plus you can tell the kids to get lost (for a while at least) in the delightful new Courtship Maze, which is a whopping 70m by 40m and forms the shape of 2 interlocking wedding bands. The aim is to begin via separate entrances and meet on the bridge which links the 2 areas. Kids won't notice but there are touching messages etched around the maze walls. Do be aware that it doesn't look perfect yet, it's a relatively new featre and the hedges are still growing in! The Coach Museum is a fascinating stop too, with royal carriages, stage coaches and many other vintage items bound to inspire young imaginations. The atmospheric Blacksmith's Shop features story phones and the background sounds of young lovers making their dash to Gretna Green (250 years ago!) in the Gretna Green Story exhibition. Plus you can read accounts of the many recorded romances and scandals rooted here, and the effect Gretna Green's notoriety had on the community and the law.