Guests say
Harbour Retreat is a well-regarded holiday cottage praised for its cleanliness, comfortable setting, and stunning harbour views. Guests enjoy the peaceful environment, local walks, and wildlife. The property is equipped with home comforts and useful information about Scotland, making it an ideal getaway.
Guests consistently mention that the cottage is clean and well-maintained, indicating high standards of cleanliness.
The location is highly praised for its harbour views, peacefulness, and proximity to local attractions, though some note it's a drive to visit-worthy places in Scotland.
The property is described as comfortable and well-equipped, with a cosy atmosphere, though one guest mentioned stiff wardrobe doors.
Facilities are generally good, including a well-equipped kitchen and a washing machine. However, there is a mention of an irritating shower head, suggesting a minor issue with maintenance.
While guests appreciate the welcome pack and the abundance of information provided, there is not enough consistent mention of gifts or additional thoughtful touches to accurately score this category.
About this property
A spacious town house overlooking the harbour at Garlieston, a beautiful, sheltered area with a quiet promenade just three miles from the ruins of Cruggleton Castle.. 5 steps to entrance.
Ground Floor:
Open plan living space.
Living area: 32" TV, Freesat, TV, DVD Player, Books, Games, DVDs, French Doors Leading To Courtyard
Dining area.
Kitchen area: Electric Hob, Electric Oven, Microwave, Fridge/Freezer, Washing Machine
Separate Toilet.
First Floor:
Bedroom 1: Double (4ft 6in) Bed, French Doors Leading To Balcony
Bedroom 2: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds
Bathroom: Bath With Shower Over, Heated Towel Rail, Toilet.
Electric central heating, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Welcome pack.. Enclosed rear garden with courtyard and garden furniture. Front patio with garden furniture. Baclony with garden furniture. Private parking for 2 cars; additional on-road parking. No smoking. Please note: Couples, family and holidaymakers bookings only. There are 3 steps to the courtyard. The property is 10 yards from an unfenced harbour therefore children must be supervised at all times.. Harbour Retreat is a spacious terraced town house situated right by the harbour at Garlieston. Once part of a working mill this delightful development of houses overlooks the working harbour which is quickly becoming a centre for yachting and fishing. Harbour Retreat is situated over two floors and the master bedroom boasts its own balcony with sea views. What better way to start the day than with a morning coffee watching the boats arriving and leaving the harbour? Whilst the village itself has an excellent pub and restaurant and a cafe, if you want to venture further afield, Newton Stewart has many excellent shops and places to eat. Wigtown, known as the ’book town’, is nearby and worth a visit. The Isle of Whithorn is close by , where St.Ninian`s Priory is situated, marking the location of Scotland`s first Christian settlement. The town of Whitorn is also of significant historical importance - with a replica of an Iron Age Roundhouse within the Whithorn Trust Museum.
Harbour Retreat is ideally placed for visiting many attractions; from rugged coastlines to sandy beaches and the world famous Logan Botanic Gardens. To the side of the property there is access to a coastal path leading to Galloway House and Gardens, a sandy beach at Rigg Bay, where wartime Mulberry Harbours were tested, and leading onto the ruins of Cruggleton Castle. At the opposite end of the pretty town, having passed a delightful seafront crescent of pastel coloured fishermen’s cottages and the bowling green, is another gently shelving sandy beach.
The Galloway Forest offers exceptional walking and cycling, including the world famous 7Stanes cycle trail. It is also the first designated Dark Sky Park outside the USA, meaning it has an exceptional quality of starry nights. Why not take a tour of the nearby Bladnoch Whisky Distillery or the Crafty Gin Distillery in Newton Stewart? There are a number of golf courses within driving distance or visit the rspb Reserve at Drummore, the most southerly village in Scotland, where the sheer cliffs provide a habitat for an amazing array of birds including peregrine falcons, razorbills, guillemots and much more – oh – and the occasional puffin!
Further to the west is Stranraer where you can get a ferry across to Northern Ireland. Stranraer is also the starting point for exploring the Rhins Peninsula, with the Mull of Galloway, the most southerly point of south west Scotland, where you can climb the light house or visit the rspb visitor centre. In the opposite direction is the market town of Kirkcudbright with Maclellan’s Castle right in the centre of town! Warmed by the Gulf Stream, this area of Scotland enjoys a mild climate. There is a pub/restaurant, cafe and small shop all in the village.
Free WiFi
Families or couples only.
Holidaymakers only.
There is open water in the property grounds.
EPC Rating = D
Letting Licence No: DG01370F
Reviews (7)
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Confirmed Guest
We had a lovely stay in Harbour Retreat, which is right on the harbour side at Garlieston. Lots of walks along the shore and into Galloway House gardens. The cottage is clean and comfortable and light, with a small patio garden at the back. A short drive away are Wigtown, Scotland’s Town of books, Isle of Whithorn, and the Galloway Forest Park.
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Christine M N Ball
A super holiday. The house was comfy, well equipped and well situated, looking out over the harbour. Plenty of scope for walks in the area and a great deal of history to uncover. The weather was sometimes rainy and windy but, oh, when the sun came out, the skies, seascapes and landscapes were gorgeous!
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Paul Hill
Harbour Retreat is well named: It is very close to Garlieston's harbour edge with stunning views (best when the tide is in) from the windows and doors. It is also a retreat from the business and sometimes craziness of England's roads. To get anywhere visit-worthy in Scotland from Garlieston is a drive, but well worth it. Driving is easy in Scotland, and the roads are quiet and fun. If you fancy a long walk, there is a good one just outside along the coast. Harbour Retreat is well maintained and clean and comfortable with good-size through lounge/diner/kitchen. Access to a tiny rear walled garden down 3 or 4 steps. Segregated from similar gardens by slatted wooden fences. Privacy not great if neighbours enjoying their garden space too. I liked to see the bats out in the evening, wife didn't! Most of the gardens, including ours, twinkled prettily with well-placed solar lights. Upstairs had one double room and one room with 2 single beds (this one overlooks the harbour). Plenty of wardrobe space and hangars (which makes a nice change). Wardrobe doors a bit stiff to move, but a touch of silicone would sort that out instantly. Electric hob (not induction) in kitchen a little fiddly at first, but practice makes perfect. Lovely washing machine there. Parking in a layby directly outside door, but other parking available. Easy walk to good pub, but if you looking for local shops - forget it. There is one tucked behind a diesel-only fuel pump, but Newton Stewart is the only place to go for supermarkets - a 20 minute drive. If you want cheap petrol & diesel - and I mean really cheap, drive to Creetown services on the A75. HR owners helpful and informative and HR has LOTS of folders packed with information about Scotland. I would give this cottage 5 stars except for one thing: The irritating shower head. It loose in the socket, and very fiddly to direct straight down as it much preferred showering the wall it was seated on. It looks like it had been replaced sometime without changing its holder. Good value for money, enjoy your holiday there - we did.