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EuropeUnited KingdomScotland

Gretna

Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Gretna

Gretna sits on the route: 10 minutes from Longtown, 44km from Hadrian's Wall.

Gretna is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 3,110, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Gretna sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Gretna to your route.

About Gretna

Gretna is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, originally part of the historic county of Dumfriesshire. It is located close to the A74(M) on the border of Scotland and England and near the mouths of the rivers Esk and Sark. Gretna was built from 1915 and is about 1km south of the older village Gretna Green. The

Read more town is situated 22 mi (35 km) east-south-east of Dumfries, 8 mi (13 km) east of Annan, 10 mi (16 km) north-west of Carlisle, 88 mi (142 km) south-east of Glasgow and 89.5 mi (144 km) south of Edinburgh.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Gretna

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Gretna?

Gretna offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Gretna?

Plan your road trip to Gretna with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Gretna as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Gretna located?

Gretna is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.9938 latitude, -3.0659 longitude.

What is the population of Gretna?

Gretna has a population of approximately 3,110 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
3,110
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
54.9938, -3.0659

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomScotlandTown

Worth the detour from Gretna

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

ancient ruins

Hadrian's Wall

The 73-mile Roman frontier fortification stretching across northern England, built in 122 AD with forts, milecastles, and turrets marking the edge of the Roman Empire.

44 km · about 50 min drive

ancient ruins

Castlerigg Stone Circle

A 5,000-year-old stone circle set on a fell with a 360-degree mountain panorama, free and roadside near Keswick.

44 km · about 50 min drive

mountain pass

Hartside Pass

The A686's grand sweep over the North Pennines between Penrith and Alston, climbing to 580m through wide hairpins with views across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. A celebrated drivers' and bikers' road.

45 km · about 50 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Derwentwater

A serene island-studded lake beside Keswick, perfect for a lakeside drive, launch cruise and the Surprise View overlook.

46 km · about 55 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Ullswater

A graceful Z-shaped lake with steamers, the lakeside road and Glenridding making it the perfect Lakes touring base.

47 km · about 55 min drive

cafe

Hartside Cafe

A remote hilltop cafe at 1,904 feet on the A686 in Cumbria, one of England's highest road cafes and a bucket-list stop for bikers.

48 km · about 55 min drive

waterfall

Aira Force

A 65-foot waterfall plunging through a wooded gorge near Ullswater, with stone bridges framing the cascade.

48 km · about 55 min drive

mountain pass

Newlands Pass

A quiet, narrow pass through Newlands Valley with the Moss Force waterfall tumbling beside the road.

49 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Gretna

  • 45 kmHartside PassThe A686's grand sweep over the North Pennines between Penrith and Alston, climbing to 580m through wide hairpins with views across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. A celebrated drivers' and bikers' road.
  • 46 kmDerwentwaterA serene island-studded lake beside Keswick, perfect for a lakeside drive, launch cruise and the Surprise View overlook.
  • 47 kmUllswaterA graceful Z-shaped lake with steamers, the lakeside road and Glenridding making it the perfect Lakes touring base.
  • 49 kmNewlands PassA quiet, narrow pass through Newlands Valley with the Moss Force waterfall tumbling beside the road.
  • 52 kmHelvellynEngland's third highest peak at 950m, famous for the knife-edge ridge of Striding Edge and sweeping views across the Lake District.
  • 55 kmHonister PassA steep, single-track pass linking Borrowdale and Buttermere with hairpins, a slate mine and exhilarating gradients.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Gretna.

Longtown

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 3,000

Eastriggs

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 1,850

Burgh by Sands

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 1,176

Annan

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

12 km awayPop. 8,760

Carlisle

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 78,470

Denton Holme

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 6,500

Scotby

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

17 km awayPop. 2,366

Dalston

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

18 km awayPop. 1,285

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence