Heathfield, South Ayrshire facts for kids
Heathfield is an important area in Ayr, Scotland. It sits right on the edge of Ayr and Prestwick. You can find it next to the A77 Ayr bypass. The Whitletts roundabout in Heathfield is a key spot. It connects Ayr to many other towns and cities. Heathfield also has a cool history with airplanes. During World War II, there was an RAF air base here called RAF Heathfield.
Shopping and Fun in Heathfield
Heathfield has a big shopping area called Heathfield Retail Park. It opened in 1994. This park is built where the old RAF air base used to be.
When you enter the park, you might have seen a model of a famous Supermarine Spitfire plane. The road leading into the park is called Liberator Drive. This name remembers the many Consolidated Liberator bomber planes that were fixed here during World War II.
The retail park is a main place to shop outside the town center. You can find stores like Homebase and PC World. There are also places to eat, such as Frankie & Benny's, Subway, Pizza Hut, and KFC. You can also find a big Asda supermarket here. If you need a place to stay, there are hotels like Travelodge and Holiday Inn.
Heathfield Hospital's Past
Long ago, Heathfield was home to a hospital. It started as the Burgh Fever Hospital. Over time, it became known as Heathfield Hospital. Later, it changed to Heathfield Clinic before it closed in 2014.
The Mystery of Newton Loch
Newton Loch was once a small lake. It was in a low-lying area near Newton-on-Ayr. Today, you can't see the loch itself. Instead, you might notice patches of heath land. The ground also looks darker in some grassy areas. This shows where the loch used to be.
The water from Newton Loch used to flow into the sea. It went through a stream called the Half Mile Burn. Another stream, called a lade, ran down Newton-on-Ayr Main Street. This lade went to a mill near the River Ayr. By 1947, only a small marshy area was left of the loch. This spot is now covered by houses.
