Thistle Lodges

1 review
Thistle Lodges within a well-kept development with a private loch (added by manager 20 Nov 2022)

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  • Well equipped A-frame lodges 15 minutes' walk from Sandyhills Bay
  • A 10-minute drive from 7Stanes mountain bike trails at Dalbeattie
  • Swimming pool, private loch and bar-restaurant on site
Keen on the idea of an outdoor break in the stunning Scottish countryside but also rather fond of life’s luxuries? Mix both up in some style with a stay at Thistle Lodges, a smart Dumfries & Galloway park on the coast about 10 minutes’ drive from Dalbeattie. Accommodation here is in stylish and spacious Scandinavian two-storey A-frame lodges, built from solid wood and kitted out with double glazing and full central heating to ensure a cosy experience whatever the weather. There’s space for up to eight to stay in each lodge, so you may like to bring along a bunch of pals or family members for a good sociable break. A large dining table and fully equipped kitchen (with hob, oven, fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher and plenty of utensils, crockery and cutlery) should make it easy to cater to a high standard, although there’s also an on-site bar and restaurant if you’d rather someone else did the honours. Everything here is designed to make life easy – bed linen and towels are provided, along with superfast wifi and a 43-inch Smart TV (plus comfy sofas to sprawl out on while you’re viewing). It’s all very scenic too – each lodge has a couple of balconies with seating for alfresco dining or just taking in views over the loch. If you’re not content with viewing the loch from afar, you’re welcome to take a walk down there to see its resident wildlife more closely. It’s also possible (and an excellent idea) to walk to the gorgeous Sandyhills Bay beach in about 15 minutes, although if you’d like a swim you might prefer to take a dip in the on-site pool (bookable in advance).

Site type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 8
Open all year

Tourist board rating

Languages spoken

English

Want to know more about camping in Dumfries and Galloway?

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

Disabled facilities

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

Forest

Luxury

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

Type

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby

Cycle hire nearby

Cycling nearby

Fishing nearby

Golf nearby

Horse riding nearby

Mountain biking nearby

Sailing nearby

Watersports nearby

Location

Thistle Lodges

Sandyills Bay

Dalbeattie

Dumfries and Galloway

Scotland

DG5 4NU

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.88507°N
-3.74254°W

Nearest transport

Coach
8.5 mi Carlingwark Street
8.5 mi Carlingwark Street
13.6 mi Village
Rail
14.1 mi Dumfries Rail Station
15.6 mi Maryport Rail Station
16.2 mi Flimby Rail Station

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

Your first stop on the coast should be Sandyhills Bay (15 minutes’ walk), for a sandy beach stretching out over several miles. From there you can walk along the coast path to Rockcliffe and Kippford or divert to Colvend Golf Club (three minutes’ drive) for a round with a sea view. For other outdoor pursuits, try watersports, high ropes and other activities at Galloway Activity Centre (35 minutes) or go shooting at Forrest Estate Experiences (55 minutes). Mountain bikers should certainly tackle the 7Stanes trails at Dalbeattie (10 minutes) while those in search of something gentler look out for birds at Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (40 minutes). Other days out might take you to Drumlanrig Castle or The Devils Porridge war museum (both 55 minutes), or, if you’ve got kids with you, to Mabie Farm Park (25 minutes), Dino Soft Play (40 minutes) or the sweet hands-on activities at The Cocoa Bean Company (half an hour).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Sandyhills 0.8 mi Sea N/A N/A Poor Poor
Rockcliffe 2.6 mi Estuary N/A Poor Poor Poor
Southerness 5.7 mi Sea N/A Good Good Excellent
Dhoon Bay 14.6 mi Estuary N/A Poor Poor Poor
Allonby 14.7 mi Sea N/A Good Good Good

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

John Paul Jones Cottage Museum & Visitor Centre 6.3 mi

Robert Burns Centre 13.6 mi

Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens 27.7 mi

World Famous Old Blacksmith's Shop Centre 28.2 mi

Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre 28.9 mi

National Trust

Wordsworth House and Garden 21.3 mi

Buttermere and Ennerdale 26.3 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Sandyhills - Rockcliffe - Kippford (and back?) 0.6 mi

Rockcliffe - Loch Barean - Portling - Rockcliffe 2.5 mi

Rockcliffe to Port o' Warren 2.5 mi

MERSEHEAD (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 04/11/2003) 2.9 mi

Dalbeattie - Colvend - Rockcliffe - Kippford - Dalbeattie 4.5 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.

Reviews

100%

would recommend this site to a friend

100%

would stay here again

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

The lodge was lovely, warm and cozy. The view was nice over…

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Brian S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Bainloch 3 bedroom lodge

Liked: The lodge was lovely, warm and cozy. The view was nice over the loch . We came as a family to explore and relax. Lots of lovely walks and scenic places to visit. Nice there is also a touch to travel around at night. The pool was a plus we visited twice during our stay. Would recommend for a nice quite few days

Disliked: Wasn't many places to eat the restaurant on site wasn't open much due to the time of year

Recommend to friends Visit again


  • Does Thistle Lodges have a swimming pool? Yes View all features
  • Is Thistle Lodges dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Thistle Lodges? Your first stop on the coast should be Sandyhills Bay (15 minutes’ walk), for a sandy beach stretching out over several miles. From there you can walk along the coast path to … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Thistle Lodges?
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  4 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more