Glenwhan Gardens

View prices & book 9.8 8 reviews
View over the gardens from the shepherd's hut
Visitor image of the lovely gardens
Visitor image of the shepherd's hut
Space to relax and enjoy the lake view

  • Shepherd's hut in a 12-acre ornamental garden a mile from the sea
  • Wildlife haven: spot red squirrels on the 17-acre moorland walk
  • Kitchen, woodburning stove, double bed and shower room
Shepherds required. No experience necessary. Or sheep… That's right, just pack your bags and bring yourselves to this lovely spot, a shepherd's hut in a 12-acre ornamental garden. Brought to their full flowering life out of the Scottish moorland some 35 years ago, these family-run gardens a 15-minute drive from the town of Stranraer have a backdrop of sea views across to the Isle of Man and the Mull of Galloway. You'll feel tucked away in remote splendour in your cosy shepherd's hut overlooking the lake: it's a top spot for a pair of people who want a secluded stay in fine surrounds, with a well-equipped kitchen, woodburning stove, a shower room, comfortable double bed, parking space and wifi connection. In spite of the seclusion, Glenwhan Gardens has a tearoom serving full meals as well as cakes, sandwiches and drinks, and guests are welcome to explore the gardens at will, including the 17-acre moorland walk. The site has both cultivated and wild areas, and there's plenty of wildlife to look out for, including red squirrels, birds, wildfowl and fish in the lake. There's a small shop 10 minutes' drive away in Castle Kennedy, and pubs, food and supermarkets aplenty in Stranraer.

Site type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 1
Open all year
Opens

Tourist board rating

Please note
  • Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed on site.
  • The site caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • The site is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. There are lakes on site and the ground and steps can be slippery after wet weather. Dogs are not allowed on the bed.

Languages spoken

English

French

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

  • 87%
    10
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    9
  • 12%
    8
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    6
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
6

100% would recommend this site to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

Shepherd's Huts are praised for being comfortable, well-equipped, and cosy, especially with the log burner. Guests highlight the stunning, tranquil gardens with beautiful views and abundant birdlife, noting the peaceful atmosphere. The helpful and friendly hosts contribute to a welcoming experience. While some found pre-arrival information vague and wifi inconsistent, these were minor points for most, who loved the magical setting and returned for relaxing breaks. The accommodation is spotlessly clean, and the private feel is generally maintained despite the gardens being open to the public.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 1
Arrival date (latest first)

We adored this Shepherd's hut! Nice…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Georgia A.

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked We adored this Shepherd's hut! Nice and spacious, beautifully decorated and really cosy and warm with the log burner. We were given a plentiful supply of wood too with more nearby if needed. The bed was really comfy and good shower too. Set in a beautiful location, with just a walk round the corner into the stunning gardens. Even in the rain! Nice little private garden area with outdoor seating too by the hut. Everything was perfect for us.

Disliked Arrival/check in instructions are a bit vague online, but we called the day before to double check and spoke to nice lady who was very helpful!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Tranquil gardens and lovely accommodation

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked Beautiful gardens, so peaceful with some lovely views. The Shepherd's hut is very comfortable and has everything you need. Would love to visit again.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

The location was beautiful and…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Anonymous

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked The location was beautiful and the owners were lovely and super helpful. fantastic stay.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect for a relaxing break.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
4
Anonymous

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked The Shepherds Hut was comfortable and well equipped.
The gardens were amazing, very beautiful and tranquil.
We had a wonderful few days.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful relaxing location

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked Beautiful location in lovely gardens, loved the little wood burner which made the shepherds hut nice and cosy. Perfect for strolls with many beautiful viewing spots. Would recommend.

Disliked Not a ‘Dislike’ as the lack of Wi-Fi was not a problem for us… recommend taking a radio 😀

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful site, spotlessly clean and cosy accommodation.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
2
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
2
Alison W.

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked The accommodation was spotlessly clean, well-equipped and very comfortable. The shepherd's hut is set in stunningly beautiful gardens; these are open to the public, but the hut was well-screened and felt very private. The hosts were friendly and helpful, and made us feel very welcome.

Disliked The information provided before our stay was a little vague, so we weren't sure who were were supposed to speak to on arrival. We popped in to the cafe/ reception and said that we'd booked into the shepherd's hut and the member of staff seemed confused as to why we were telling her! Eventually we got shown to the hut however, but we would have liked more detailed information before we arrived. The information said that there would be wifi at the hut, but although there were details in the hut for the password etc there was no internet to connect to?

Recommend to friends Visit again

The setting was wonderful and the…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Judith D.

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked The setting was wonderful and the Shepherds Hut was well- appointed. We enjoyed the bird life as well as the trees and plants. Having a bird feeder outside the hut was inspired and attracted a lot of species. The domestic birds ((hens Guinea fowl peacocks) were regular visitors too. We visited the cafe and found that good value and tasty food. All staff were helpful and friendly. A magical place !

Recommend to friends Visit again

It was my 2nd year and…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
6
Mark B.

James Kelly shepherd's hut

Liked It was my 2nd year and if you are seeking a quiet peacefull and relaxing break from the rat race and big city life then this is ideal, the staff are very friendly, there is a canteen just a few steps away from the shepards hut where we stayed which is very well equipped with all you need including a toilet and shower and a very comfortable bed.The 1st 2 days were wet but still very cosy in the hut. The last day started wet but from midday on the rest of the day was beautiful warm and sunny and we had a lovely long walk in the gardens and twice around the moors which was so remote and peaceful with no one else around, It was like being in your own little world.

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

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

Themes

Forest Lake and/or mountain Luxury Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise 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

Farm Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Glenwhan Gardens

Dunragit

Stranraer

Dumfries and Galloway

Scotland

DG9 8PH

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.88811°N
4.88286°W

Route directions

Glenwhan Gardens is signposted with brown Visit Scotland signs from the A75 and the village of Dunragit. Guests should arrive at the white house at the top of the gardens, from where you will see the James Kelly Hut clearly marked.

Nearest transport

Coach
2.9 mi Town Hall
3 mi Town Hall
5.7 mi Port Rodie
Rail
5.8 mi Stranraer Rail Station
15 mi Barrhill Rail Station
24.8 mi Girvan Rail Station
Ferry
5.8 mi Stranraer Ferry Terminal
7.5 mi Cairnryan P&O Ferry Terminal
9.1 mi Cairnryan Stena Line Ferry Terminal

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

For beach walks, paddles, rockpooling and big skies, it's a 10-minute drive to the sands of Luce Bay and 15 minutes to Sandhead. When you've built enough sandcastles, see some real examples at Stranraer (15 minutes' drive) and Dunskey (half an hour). The latter is a 12th-century ruin teetering on sea cliffs, while Stranraer gives you the chance to combine castle tours with a wider, in-depth walking circuit of the town and its centuries of history. There's more horticultural mastery to be seen at Ardwell Gardens (20 minutes), a complex of walled, formal and woodland gardens in the grounds of an 18th-century house, and at Logan Botanical Gardens (25 minutes): all owe their vigour and diversity to the warm climes and waters brought all the way to the Galloway coast from Mexico on the Gulf Stream. To bury yourself even deeper in foliage, make for Galloway Forest Park for fishing in Loch Trool (an hour away), hikes through the wooded hills and stargazing in the UK's first Dark Sky Park.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Girvan 24.1 mi Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A
Mossyard 25.2 mi Estuary N/AGoodGoodGood
Carrick 26.6 mi Sea N/AN/AGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Cycle routes

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

Other

The Gardens of Castle Kennedy and Lochinch Castle 2.7 mi

Glenluce - Auchenmalg - Stairhaven - Glenluce 3 mi

Around New Luce 4 mi

A Walk South from Portpatrick 9.9 mi

A Walk North from Portpatrick 9.9 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.

Want to know more about camping in Dumfries and Galloway?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Glenwhan Gardens have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Glenwhan Gardens dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Glenwhan Gardens? For beach walks, paddles, rockpooling and big skies, it's a 10-minute drive to the sands of Luce Bay and 15 minutes to Sandhead. When you've built enough sandcastles, see some real examples … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Glenwhan Gardens?
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Glenwhan Gardens? From £160 (for 2 nights, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.