Dumfries and Galloway

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Set in a historic Edwardian castle estate stretching across 2000 acres of glen walks, forests, beaches, lochs, gardens and waterfalls, this bonnie cottage is poised to provide you with an endlessly romantic, back-to-nature stay. Located in the heart of picturesque Portpatrick – one of Scotland's prettiest seaside towns – you'll have the long beaches and tidal rushes of Dunskey Glen a short stroll from your cosy home base. We love the bohemian aesthetic and eclectic interiors, especially the rose petal wallpapers that give an air of stately grandeur from the get-go. Dreamy chandeliers and plant-themed prints fill the spaces with a homely touch, while the pink velvet sofa and grand upholstered bed make a striking impression with spades of glossy glamour. After a day exploring, curl up in front of the wood-burning stove with a good book and a tipple of whisky. On warmer nights, step out onto a private courtyard boasting an outdoor bathtub nestled among shrubs and flowing vine – this is an ideal spot to relax while admiring your woodland surroundings. Outside of your home, Dunskey Golf Course and the Portpatrick Harbour are two minutes away (on foot), while the Dunksey Castle is a twenty-minute walk up the craggy Scottish coastline. 

Highland Heather

Overlooking the clear waters of a deep lake that's famous for its scuba diving and open water swimming, this charming home is a real find. Built on the edge of the former quarry, it's one of only a handful of lodge-style homes in this exclusive spot. It's bound to appeal to lovers of the great outdoors, with walking and cycling routes nearby, and it's just a stone's throw from the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. It's set in a private lane, and while we love the stylish, modern interiors, we couldn't get enough of the lake views from the terrace. With a private hot tub to sink into and a fire pit, it's the perfect spot as the sun sets. Inside, there's a contemporary fireplace and a huge TV, so getting cosy shouldn't be a problem, and we love the sociable, open-plan layout. You can cook in the fabulous kitchen and eat at the dining table – perhaps with the bi-fold doors open. Here you'll be just a twenty-five-minute drive from Lancaster and Morecombe, with the little village of Over Kellet just down the road. It's just fifteen minutes by car to the vast beaches of nearby Morecombe Bay.

Still Waters Run Deep

While the idea of staying in a castle sounds rather splendid, they do tend to be rather large places and if you're only a small group, it's easy to get overwhelmed. The solution, then, is to simply stay in the best section, as is the case with this penthouse apartment inside Dunksey Castle. Built at the turn of the twentieth century for industry magnate and Member of Parliament Charles Lindsay Orr Ewing, there are some original features to be found inside, such as a cast-iron bathtub now filled with plants, baronial fireplaces and salvaged mirrors. However, the rest of the living quarters are thoroughly modern. with plant-themed artwork, velvet furnishings and plush rugs. The master bedroom is particularly spectacular with the bay windows, four-poster bed and bathtub in the corner. It's possible to see the sea and the village of Portpatrick from here, and it only takes twenty minutes on foot to reach these. Elsewhere on the estate, there are lochs, waterfalls and even a maze to explore.

The Tallest Tower

Tucked away in the grounds of a 2,000-acre coastal estate, this quaint cottage and its enchanting surrounding are plucked from the pages of a storybook. Inside, the home oozes elegance with plush fabrics and romantic cherry blossom hues. When we stayed, we were smitten with the Japanese rice-paper screen, mother-of-pearl headboard and the underfloor heating that kept our toes toasty after long yomps through the grounds. While the kitchen is fully stocked with accoutrements for rustling up your favourite dinners, call upon your host’s head chef to deliver a Michelin-quality meal straight to your table. After a cup of tea in the sunshine on your quiet patio, pull on your walking shoes and explore. You’ll find secret waterfalls, lochs and a maze right on your doorstep. Jump in the car and take the eight-minute drive to Killantringan Lighthouse or if you’re feeling brave, plunge into the brisk Irish Sea at Knock Bay Beach. Return back to your bolthole in the late afternoon to catch the last of the sunshine; set up the lanterns in your courtyard, pour a glass of prosecco and sink into the outdoor bathtub beneath the blooming camellia tree. Bliss.

Under The Camellia Tree

Dating back over 170 years, this beautiful home in the Scottish Borders was updated in 1870 to take on the Scottish Baronial features that gave it its fairytale castle look, but it was only in the late 70s that the incredible vaulted ceiling was discovered and the mezzanine was added to update the home to what it is today. Of course there has been modernisation since to give it the contemporary, but homely, feel and the result is an ambient, open space that encourages rest and relaxation. 

With the windows stretching up to towards the ceiling, there’s plenty of natural light and bookworms will rejoice to find a little home library on the mezzanine where they’re able to curl up with any of the good books on offer. Look out over the lounge from up there and when you get a little cold, head down to kindle the fireplace so you can watch the flames dance between every turn of the page. 

Musicians can retire to the piano room to hone their skills or entertain the rest of the family in style, but not before sitting down for dinner at the chunky oak table. 

Take to the garden as a group, or in isolation, and walk along the sloping paths as you breathe in the fragrant scents of apple, plum and flowering cherry trees of the orchard. You can also do this from the outdoor bench as you nibble on shortbread. 

With a bike shed on site, why not bring along bicycles so you can head out to explore the Borders on two wheels. With golf courses aplenty, fishing opportunities, beautiful landscapes to admire, and plenty more around, you’ll never run out of things to do. Should you choose, however, to just stay home and bask in the tranquillity, well, we certainly won’t blame you.

Once Upon a Fairytale

Shhh. Can you hear that sound? Us neither. Quietness and tranquility await in this truly extraordinary country cottage in the North Yorkshire dales. The home's glorious traditional features - original stone floors, warm wooden beams, a roaring fireplace - are full of character, but it's the styling of this home that will make you feel at ease from the moment you arrive. In the welcoming living room, the exquisitely-soft turquoise sofa is the perfect place to while away the hours with a book from the well-stocked bookshelf, and Eastern-inspired touches (including Buddha statues) add to the sense of calm. The kitchen, with its white marble countertops and exposed stone walls, is the ideal spot to cook up a rib-sticking meal. The bedrooms are elegant but simply furnished, with mustard yellow blankets and a dried flower wreath creating little moments of joy. But perhaps the real peace here comes from the scenery – this home is in the Yorkshire Dales’ Arkengarthdale, a beautifully remote location where you can hike for miles without seeing another soul. Bliss.

The Riverside Cottage

A Grade-II listed former stable in the middle of Dunskey Estate, this home is a truly glorious spot. The interior has been restored, but there are lots of features that date back to a century ago, including the wood panelling and fireplace. Elsewhere, there are furnishings in rich colours, antiques dotted about the rooms and a hand-painted mural in the bedroom, which all work together for a boutique feel. Outside, we are smitten with the charming cobbled courtyard with seating, potted plants and access to a private walled garden. Beyond the home's boundaries lies a wealth of natural attractions on the estate to discover, from two lochs and a pair of waterfalls to three beaches and plenty of walking routes along a stretch of craggy coastline. There's even a maze on the grounds if you have an afternoon going spare. The village of Portpatrick can be reached in twenty minutes on foot, as well.

The Coachman's Dog

Perched between the Scottish Lowlands and the sea on a 2000-acre private estate fringing Portpatrick, the setting of this lodge has to be seen to be believed. It's truly a home for all seasons. Summer nights are all about barbecues, soaks in the outdoor bath, and marshmallow toasting around the firepit. Meanwhile, winter evenings are made for cosying up with hearty meals delivered to your door (available for a fee) after exploring the grounds. There are plenty of on-site activities to take advantage of here, too. We're talking private dock on the loch for boating, guided hikes, wild swimming, maze running, wildlife tracking, yoga sessions, and beach picnics – and that’s just the start.

Dock on the Loch

This cottage sits on a 2000-acre estate where walking trails through the woodlands bring you to waterfalls, lochs and the craggy coastline of Dumfries and Galloway. A forty-minute stroll down a forest track brings you to a deserted beach, and the coastal town of Portpatrick is a twenty-minute walk away. A welcome pack of local produce – eggs, butter, bread, home baking, artisanal cheese and the estate’s handmade toiletries – awaits you on arrival. Perhaps head out to the sunny dining spot on the lawn for your first meal. Here you’ll find a fire pit to keep the evening chill at bay. The home itself is beautifully decorated. The living room is like a wild meadow with its magenta and violet mural of wild birds and flowers and pot plants seem to fill every nook. Yet there’s a grand feeling to the tufted velvet sofas, and the writer’s desk in the corner is an Edwardian antique from Dunskey Castle itself. Once the wood-burner is crackling away it’s super cosy too. Come bedtime, bedrooms are a fairytale fantasy with plush beds fit for a princess. Especially the twin room, with silk drapes flowing over the beds. With deer, pheasants and wild birds filling forest walks, you can feel like you’ve stepped right into a Disney movie. 

A Gaggle of Geese

Each season brings a new vista to the sprawling, 2000-acre estate this home is set on. Spring brings carpets of bluebells to the forest walks, winter sees snowdrops poking their heads through the undergrowth and in the summer, rhododendrons burst onto the scene in magenta and crimson. Back in the day, this grand stone cottage was set aside for the estate’s gardener and the decor leans into the horticultural theme with a stunning mural of ferns, forest and foxes in the living room. Floral patterned rugs sit on the hardwood floor, and faux fur blankets on tufted leather sofas keep the living room feeling cosy on cold nights. Get a fire crackling in the grate when the temperature drops. The kitchen is designed for farmhouse-style cooking with a big range cooker in the centre. It’s the decor that really grabs your attention though, with a handful of plates and vintage posters adorning the duck-egg-blue walls. Outside you’ll find a huge private garden where outdoor dining is on the cards at the barbecue and fire pit lawn. Views from here stretch across the hills and fields, where curious cows graze nearby. Exploring the estate you’ll find walking trails leading to waterfalls and lochs, and there’s a hedge maze right on your doorstep. The surrounding forest is filled with wildlife and you might spot deer, foxes and pheasants on daily walks.  

The Horticulturalist

Nestled amongst the east wing of a sprawling estate, this maisonette has plenty of room for families. Cosy and inviting with wooden beams and angled ceilings, this home is sure to give you that warm and fuzzy feeling when you arrive. Snuggle up on the Chesterfield sofas in front of the electric fire while your favourite movie plays on the DVD player. Rustle up delicious meals in the stylish kitchen, then gather around the dining table for family feasts, sharing stories and bottles of bubbly straight out of the wine fridge. All the bedrooms are roomy and traditionally styled, and with private en-suites, nobody will have to queue for the loo. But our favourite spot is the garden. After an alfresco lunch in the courtyard, wander the several acres of grounds and woodlands. The views are absolutely stunning – they stretch towards River Eden and to the Castle Carrock Fells, promising you a slice of that peaceful rural life. Keen cyclists can roam the country lanes by bike or just stroll along the river – viaduct towers, hidden caves and waterfalls are just a few things you'll discover. When your stomach starts rumbling, walk ten minutes into town for local ales and mouth-watering fare at the village pub. Both Carlisle and the Lake District are easily reached by car if you fancy a day out, though we're quite happy to while away our afternoons in Wetheral, exploring the countryside.

From Fells

If you’re seeking an escape back to nature that’s a perfect fit for two, it’s time to stop scrolling. We love this former Porters’ Lodge, packed full of character and inviting its guests to unwind. You’ll find this home set on an estate, where you can enjoy the landscaped grounds at your leisure – if you’re not too busy relaxing in your private cedar hot tub, that is. Locally, a hike up the Pentland Hills is a must, and for those seeking a city fix, Edinburgh is a thirty-minute drive away. 

Brambled Bliss

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