INTRODUCING OUR FABULOUS NEW GRETNA GREEN EXPERIENCE
An immersive look into the World’s Greatest Love Story at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop at Gretna Green. Dive into the history of true love at the UK’s first attraction dedicated to love and marriage at the Original Home of Romance.
WHY GRETNA GREEN?
With over 250 years of history, our 5-star visitor attraction, at the Famous Blacksmith Shop has been transformed into a brand-new, fully immersive experience, telling the World’s Greatest Love Story.
While the story of our family business began in 1885, the story of the Anvil Wedding and the Famous Blacksmiths Shop began in 1754, when the Lord Hardwicke Marriage Act came into force, preventing couples in England and Scotland from marrying under the age of 21, without their parent’s consent. A tradition, which still sees couples from around the world, come every year, to marry in the historic tradition, over the Blacksmiths Anvil!
THE GRETNA GREEN EXPERIENCE
Our new Experience aims to both showcase and preserves the history of love and romance at Gretna Green, whilst telling the age-old tale of that first knock at the door when the Famous Blacksmiths Shop story began. The experience lies within the Famous Blacksmiths Shop site, alongside the Famous Blacksmiths Shop original building, (home to our Original Marriage Room and Forge Marriage Room) and is connected to The Gretna Green Experience Shop.
Step back in time as you meet the Anvil Priests and Priestesses of years gone by, feel the thrill of the chase as couples rush over the border to marry, before their families catch them, discover the real-life love stories of couples gone by, and even touch the historic anvil for good luck in love.
DISCOVER THE STORY OF MARRIAGE THROUGH THE CENTURIES
Submerge yourself fully in the thrill of the chase as we take you through the rebellion and scandal of the Gretna Green wedding. From days of old, when marriage was nothing but simply living together, to the times of handfastings and blessings from the heart. All the way to Lord Hardwick’s marriage law which sought to stop lovers from tying the knot, and yet led Gretna Green to become what it is today.
FEEL THE THRILL OF THE CHASE
Come face to face with a former Stagecoach that was used to carry passengers from Ambleside in the Lake District to Gretna Green, centuries ago - including runaway couples, crossing the border into Scotland. Feel the thrill of the chase as we take you through the rebellious journeys of couples fleeing England and Wales to seal their love over the Anvil in Gretna Green. Allow us to take you through all the emotions of love, and feel the intensity of what it was truly like to run away!
MEET OUR BLACKSMITHS PRIESTS AND PRIESTESSES
Have you ever wanted to go back in time and hear history from the history makers themselves?
Join us as we take you back in time to meet our Blacksmiths priests and priestesses. Listen to how they became a key part in ensuring couples were safe and wed.
Then journey back into the present to read and hear the stories of real-life Gretna Green couples, who prove that love really does conquer all, with our romantic love stories from past couples themselves.
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
The emotion of the experience continues into our immersive show, as you stand before our original Anvil which marriages were performed over until 1940 - the UK’s oldest wedding Anvil.
It is said that the Anvil brings good luck in affairs of the heart and if you touch the Anvil you can feel the intensity yourself, having brought thousands of hearts together it is hard not to become overwhelmed with the love that is felt in Gretna Green.
GRETNA GREEN EXPERIENCE SHOP
Finish your experience with some shopping in our Gretna Green Experience Shop. Shop our range of Gretna Green gifts including jewellery, glasses, cashmere, homeware, and our newly crafted, Gretna Green Gin. As well as our range of deluxe brands, such as Harris Tweed.
Take home a little piece of the magic, from the Original Home of Romance.
HOW TO FIND US
You can find us at the Gateway to Scotland, Gretna Green, just minutes from the M6 and M74, as you cross the Scotland/England border. Use Junction 45 of the M6 if you are travelling northbound and Junction 21 of the M74 if you are travelling southbound, following the signs for the Famous Blacksmiths Shop Attractions. Or why not pop us in your Sat Nav - DG16 5EA.
Travelling by rail or bus? There are plenty of routes to Gretna Green on public transport, including links from Carlisle and Dumfries to Gretna Green Rail Station and various buses available too.
OPENING TIMES
The Gretna Green Experience is open 7 days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm, with extending opening and closing times between April and October.
ENTRY PRICES
We offer a range of ticket options, including Adult, Child, Concession and Family tickets available to purchase from the Gretna Green Experience Shop.