Delicious Food and Community Produce
The Bothy Cafe prides itself on serving fresh, homemade food, including soups, sandwiches, cakes, and scones, along with artisan coffee. A special focus is placed on the local environment, as the cafe uses a significant amount of home-grown produce from the River Garden's own gardens. This direct link to the land ensures freshness and supports the core charitable mission, as growing and preparing food provides vital training opportunities for residents in recovery. Dogs on leads are very welcome and can enjoy homemade dog biscuits!
Beautiful Gardens and Peaceful Environment
River Garden is nestled into the banks of the River Ayr and is set within the historic grounds of the former Auchincruive estate, which dates back to the 1800s.
Historic Grounds: The estate was once famous for its beautiful ornamental gardens and herbaceous borders, and the River Garden project is actively working to restore them to their former glory, creating an inspiring and educational space.
Hanging Gardens: Nearby on Oswald's Trail are the spectacular Hanging Gardens, featuring high terraced sandstone walls originally built in the 1830s.
Atmosphere: The overall environment is described as peaceful and welcoming, offering a quiet retreat from the busy world, which is central to the residential recovery program hosted there.
The River Ayr Way and Scenic Walks
The River Garden grounds are a gateway to several excellent walking trails, with a direct link to the River Ayr Way, a 44-mile source-to-sea long-distance path.
Connecting Point: The Auchincruive end of the trail connects near Oswald's Bridge, where you can find the Wallace Burns Cairn. The Bothy Cafe is located a short half-mile walk upstream from Oswald's Bridge, making it a perfect spot for refreshments or to use the facilities before or after your walk.
Auchincruive Trails: Shorter, popular routes in the area include the Oswald's Trail and the Three Green Knights Trail, which offer pleasant riverside walking, scenic viewpoints over the River Ayr and the Carrick Hills, and a chance to explore historic woodland. These walks provide the public with a great way to enjoy the tranquil environment that is essential to the River Garden community.