Garden Cottage

View prices & book 9.5 24 reviews
View to a secluded woodland pitch
Tourer pitches sheltered by trees
Pitch tucked under the trees
Grass pitch

  • Quiet off-grid woodland pop-up site in Eglinton Country Park, Ayrshire
  • Ardrossan Ferry Terminal and Royal Troon Golf Club 15 minutes’ drive
  • Café ten minutes’ walk; shops and restaurants 10 minutes’ drive
When it’s wild camping you’re after – proper wild camping with virtually no facilities – you’ll hit gold dust at Garden Cottage, a pop-up site in Eglinton Country Park, 15 minutes’ drive from Ardrossan in Ayrshire. The grass pitches are tucked into carefully managed woodland, and sheltered by the mature trees for total privacy and seclusion. Loos are 10 minutes’ walk away in the park’s visitor centre, where you can also grab a bite in the café and let the kids have a run about at the play area. Otherwise, this site is completely off grid, so pack torches for getting around after dark, as well as drinking water and a barbecue if you’re going to cook alfresco. There’s a communal campfire surrounded by simple seating made from fallen trees, and essentials shops 10 minutes’ drive away in Kilwinning, where you can divert into cafés and restaurants if you want a change from self-catering. This peaceful spot is run on sustainable lines, and any profit made from the wild camping will be re-invested in the woodland to improve amenities.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 3
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • This site has no on-site toilet and shower facilities.
  • Twin axle vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • Units longer than 7 metres are not allowed.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
  • There are no bins onsite: all rubbish will need to be taken home with you.

Languages spoken

English

Reviews

  • 87%
    10
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    9
  • 8%
    8
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    7
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    6
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    5
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    3
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96% would recommend this site to a friend

96% would stay here again

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Woodland setting.…

Overall 3/10

Location
3
Value for money
2
Accommodation
2
Facilities / Activities
1
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
No rating
Wifi
No rating
Veronica M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: Woodland setting.

Disliked: Not obvious where to park. Top spaces were too muddy/soft. As rain was forecast overnight, I was worried about getting stuck, so I moved to the only space I could see, which was just inside the gates, close to the road. I might as well have just parked in a lay-by somewhere. Didn't feel particularly safe.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi Veronica thanks for your review I’m not sure why you booked our site as it states it is small wild camping site with very basic facilities
We contacted you prior to your stay and explained the parking to you and location there are seven areas to park although we only utilise three.
I’m not sure what you expect for a small £10 fee for a pitch in a country park ?
I’m also not sure why you didn’t contact us on the number we txted you on the previous week which would have given you a resolution .
We also note that your reviews for other sites
Are in the whole very low scoring it would seem that you may be better of booking large caravan sites to get what you want although I doubt it will be £10
All of our reviews are on our advert and so far have been excellent
Sorry you did not enjoy your stay

Excellent pop up site. Just perfect, we will be returning

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Amanda W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: A lovely quiet little piece of woodland, just stunning and private, the couple Stu and Susan are so lovely and genuine. Loved the communal camp fire and chatting with these lovely people. Such a relaxed atmosphere. Location was perfect for the ferry port to Arran.
Even allowing us to return last minute on route home after our trip in the Highlands, Unfortunately we decided to return home instead, but nice to know they were happy to accommodate us.

Disliked: Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely off grid site.

Overall 8/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
No rating
Wifi
No rating
Chris W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: The small site with pitches amongst the trees and bluebells. Convenient from the main roas but quiet. Lovely walks.
Communal campfire very sociable and pretty with fairy lights. Owners very friendly and helpful. Will defo go again.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very cheap. Relaxing. Nice spot.

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Alastair G. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: Quick call with clear instructions on how to get where I'm going by owner.
Lovely wild flowers everywhere.
Daughter loved the little mushroom house that lit up at night. She has been telling everyone she can about it.
Nice fire area, although I didn't really get a chance to use it due to it being a very late and short stop over for us.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very small off grid woodland right on the entrance to Edlington park.…

Overall 10/10

Location
8
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
2
Claire T. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: Very small off grid woodland right on the entrance to Edlington park. Very convenient just off road but tucked away.

Owners came round to check to in with us who were very friendly, lit fire and stayed for a while chatting round communal campfire. Nothing was too much trouble.

Description is what it says and just what is needed if self sufficent.

Was lovely to meet yourselves and other campers. Good luck in all you do both 😊

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fab place to stay

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
2
Jane D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: We loved this site. Owners are so friendly and understand what makes for a good campsite. We will defo visit again 😊

Recommend to friends Visit again

Simple but it works. Kids loved cooking there hot dogs on the…

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Ross T. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: Simple but it works. Kids loved cooking there hot dogs on the fire. No check in/out it's all very easy going which I love. We'll be back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great experience all round!

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Kimberley B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: The owners were super friendly. Had a lovely chat with them by the fire before they left for the evening. The set up around the camp fire is beautiful and I love the experience of wild camping. We will definitely return!

Disliked: Absolutely nothing!

Recommend to friends Visit again

This is a beautiful site in a lovely woodland setting. The owners…

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: This is a beautiful site in a lovely woodland setting. The owners were very friendly and are clearly work very hard to make the site into a special place. Appreciated the easy going nature of this site and flexibility of arriving / leaving times. Exactly what we needed for our short visit.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Brilliant flexibility allowing an early check in and late departure is amazing…

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
6
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
John I. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric hardstanding and grass campervan pitch

Liked: Brilliant flexibility allowing an early check in and late departure is amazing value for just £10. Also excellent communication and direction when I initially struggled to find the location

Disliked: Nothing, it is a basic site but the price more than reflects that

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Peaceful Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Pop-up campsite Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Garden Cottage

Eglinton Country Park

Kilwinning

Ayrshire

Scotland

KA13 7QA

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

55.64492°N
-4.68285°W

Nearest transport

Coach
12.8 mi Bus Station
17.9 mi Wemyss Bay Station
20.1 mi Coronation Park
Rail
1.3 mi Kilwinning Rail Station
2.4 mi Irvine Rail Station
2.8 mi Stevenston Rail Station
Ferry
5.5 mi Ardrossan Ferry Terminal
6.6 mi Troon Ferry Terminal
10.4 mi Fairlie Ferry Terminal
Airport
9.8 mi Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
18 mi Glasgow International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Local attractions and activities include: - Eglinton Country Park: 10 minutes’ walk - Kilwinning Abbey: five minutes’ drive - Eglinton Castle (folly): five minutes - Irvine Beach Park: 10 minutes - Ardrossan Ferry Terminal (trips to Arran): 15 minutes - Royal Troon Golf Club: 15 minutes - Ayr Racecourse: 20 minutes - Culzean Castle: 40 minutes.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Irvine 3.5 mi Sea N/APoorPoorN/A
Saltcoats/Ardrossan 4.7 mi Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A
Troon (South Beach) 7.7 mi Sea N/AN/AN/AGood
Seamill 7.7 mi Sea N/AN/AGoodGood
Prestwick 10 mi Sea N/AN/AGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Scottish Maritime Museum 2.5 mi

Burns National Heritage Park 15.1 mi

Paisley Abbey 17.2 mi

Burrell Collection 19.2 mi

House for an Art Lover 20 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

The Smugglers' Trail from Dundonald to Loans 5.9 mi

HORSE ISLAND (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 01/10/2005) 6.2 mi

Troon - Prestwick 7.3 mi

LOCHWINNOCH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 25/04/2005) 9.9 mi

Prestwick to Troon Along the Shore 10.2 mi

Local events

  • TRNSMT (Friday 11 July 2025 – Friday 11 July 2025)

    Glasgow, Lanarkshire 22.3 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Ayrshire?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Garden Cottage have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Garden Cottage dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Garden Cottage? Local attractions and activities include: - Eglinton Country Park: 10 minutes’ walk - Kilwinning Abbey: five minutes’ drive - Eglinton Castle (folly): five minutes - Irvine Beach Park: 10 minutes - Ardrossan … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Garden Cottage?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  Anytime –  Anytime
    Depart by:  Anytime
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Garden Cottage? From £10 (for 1 night, 6 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.