Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm
Menu
Moat Brae Logo
  • Welcome to Moat Brae
    Welcome to Moat Brae
  • Moat Brae The House
    Moat Brae The House
  • Explore the Garden at Moat Brae
    Explore the Garden at Moat Brae
  • The National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling
    The National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling
  • MinaLima Exhibit
    MinaLima Exhibit
Moat Brae and The National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling
Moat Brae opened on 1st June 2019 as an international visitor attraction and Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling.

What's on at Moat Brae

  • Choose greenery from the Neverland Garden and other decorations to create your own unique design to take home. Includes a glass of mulled wine/hot drink and mince pie.
    Saturday 2nd December
  • Join Moat Brae's special delegation of Santa's elves to make some lovely crafted decorations to hang on your Christmas tree and decorate the house. This workshop is for parents and children to enjoy together.
    Sunday 3rd December
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Friday 8th December
  • Choose greenery from the Neverland Garden and other decorations to create your own unique design to take home. Includes a glass of mulled wine/hot drink and mince pie.
    Friday 8th December
  • Early birds are invited along to Moat Brae for a yummy breakfast spread, games and fun in company of everyone's favourite green grump this Christmas!
    Saturday 9th December
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Saturday 9th December
  • Early birds are invited along to Moat Brae for a yummy breakfast spread, games and fun in company of everyone's favourite green grump this Christmas!
    Sunday 10th December
  • Join Moat Brae's special delegation of Santa's elves to make some yummy Christmas-themed chocolates to give as gifts or enjoy yourself. This workshop is for parents and children to enjoy together.
    Sunday 10th December
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Sunday 10th December
  • Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with games and fun in the company of ‘Mr Christmas himself’ - the Grinch! Grown-ups can add extra sparkle with a glass of Prosecco/Nozecco
    Sunday 10th December
  • Learn a classic cocktail, a twist on a classic, and a special new Christmas number, then enjoy with nibbles in our beautiful garden café-bar. You will also learn three gorgeous garnishes to take your drinks to the next level, and take a recipe sheet home.
    Thursday 14th December
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Friday 15th December
  • We are so excited to announce our first ever Christmas play: a brand-new, interactive adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen', for 2-5s.
    Saturday 16th December
  • Learn a classic cocktail, a twist on a classic, and a special new Christmas number, then enjoy with nibbles in our beautiful garden café-bar. You will also learn three gorgeous garnishes to take your drinks to the next level, and take a recipe sheet home.
    Saturday 16th December
  • Guess who’s hosting our Christmas dinner? It’s only THE GRINCH! Enjoy a traditional two-course Christmas Dinner – you choose between starter or pud – in the company of everyone’s favourite green Christmas grump. Vegetarian and kids’ options available. We are fully licensed, and grown-ups can order drinks on the day.
    Sunday December 17th
  • We are so excited to announce our first ever Christmas play: a brand-new, interactive adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen', for 2-5s.
    Thursday 21st December
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Saturday 23rd December
  • Guess who’s hosting our Christmas dinner? It’s only THE GRINCH! Enjoy a traditional two-course Christmas Dinner – you choose between starter or pud – in the company of everyone’s favourite green Christmas grump. Vegetarian and kids’ options available. We are fully licensed, and grown-ups can order drinks on the day.
    Saturday 23rd December

What's on at Moat Brae

  • Choose greenery from the Neverland Garden and other decorations to create your own unique design to take home. Includes a glass of mulled wine/hot drink and mince pie.
    Sat 2nd Dec 2023
  • Join Moat Brae's special delegation of Santa's elves to make some lovely crafted decorations to hang on your Christmas tree and decorate the house. This workshop is for parents and children to enjoy together.
    Sun 3rd Dec 2023
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Fri 8th Dec 2023
  • Choose greenery from the Neverland Garden and other decorations to create your own unique design to take home. Includes a glass of mulled wine/hot drink and mince pie.
    Fri 8th Dec 2023
  • Early birds are invited along to Moat Brae for a yummy breakfast spread, games and fun in company of everyone's favourite green grump this Christmas!
    Sat 9th Dec 2023
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Sat 9th Dec 2023
  • Early birds are invited along to Moat Brae for a yummy breakfast spread, games and fun in company of everyone's favourite green grump this Christmas!
    Sun 10th Dec 2023
  • Join Moat Brae's special delegation of Santa's elves to make some yummy Christmas-themed chocolates to give as gifts or enjoy yourself. This workshop is for parents and children to enjoy together.
    Sun 10th Dec 2023
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Sun 10th Dec 2023
  • Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with games and fun in the company of ‘Mr Christmas himself’ - the Grinch! Grown-ups can add extra sparkle with a glass of Prosecco/Nozecco
    Sun 10th Dec 2023
  • Learn a classic cocktail, a twist on a classic, and a special new Christmas number, then enjoy with nibbles in our beautiful garden café-bar. You will also learn three gorgeous garnishes to take your drinks to the next level, and take a recipe sheet home.
    Thu 14th Dec 2023
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Fri 15th Dec 2023
  • We are so excited to announce our first ever Christmas play: a brand-new, interactive adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen', for 2-5s.
    Sat 16th Dec 2023
  • Learn a classic cocktail, a twist on a classic, and a special new Christmas number, then enjoy with nibbles in our beautiful garden café-bar. You will also learn three gorgeous garnishes to take your drinks to the next level, and take a recipe sheet home.
    Sat 16th Dec 2023
  • Guess who’s hosting our Christmas dinner? It’s only THE GRINCH! Enjoy a traditional two-course Christmas Dinner – you choose between starter or pud – in the company of everyone’s favourite green Christmas grump. Vegetarian and kids’ options available. We are fully licensed, and grown-ups can order drinks on the day.
    Sun 17th Dec 2023
  • We are so excited to announce our first ever Christmas play: a brand-new, interactive adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen', for 2-5s.
    Thu 21st Dec 2023
  • Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and hear about life at the North Pole. Includes an individual Santa meeting and a small gift.
    Sat 23rd Dec 2023
  • Guess who’s hosting our Christmas dinner? It’s only THE GRINCH! Enjoy a traditional two-course Christmas Dinner – you choose between starter or pud – in the company of everyone’s favourite green Christmas grump. Vegetarian and kids’ options available. We are fully licensed, and grown-ups can order drinks on the day.
    Sat 23rd Dec 2023

The National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling

Moat Brae is the home of the National Centre for Children's Literature. The Trust’s vision is to create a world where reading and storytelling are an integral part of growing up.
Plan your Visit
Moat Brae is located in the historic market town of Dumfries in South West Scotland.

For further information on local transport in the area and how to find us click here.

Discover Moat Brae

Take a stroll through the history of a beloved children’s book in a house that lives and breathes story.
Arrow
The House
Explore the garden that inspired a legendary ‘Enchanted Land’ of imagination.
Arrow
The Garden
A magical visitor attraction that opened to the public on 1 June 2019. 
Arrow
Our Story
Moat Brae engages with groups and schools to encourage literacy.
Arrow
Groups and Schools

News

The Annual General Meeting of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust will be held on Wed 23rd Aug 2023 at 12 noon.
A treat for young visitors to Moat Brae