Garden Cottage

View prices & book 9.6 26 reviews
View to a secluded woodland pitch
View to a secluded woodland pitch
Tourer pitches sheltered by trees
Pitch tucked under the trees
Grass pitch
Bluebells in spring
Grass pitch
Pitch sheltered by trees
Track to the pitches
1/50
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

RV sites 3
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • This park 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 flashlight with them as parts of the park are unlit.
  • There are no garbage cans onsite: all garbage will need to be taken home with you.

Languages spoken

English

Reviews

9.6

Overall rating from 26 Pitchup.com customers

  • 88%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 7%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
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    4
  • 3%
    3
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    2
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
Wild camping

96% would recommend this site to a friend

96% would stay here again

What customers say

This quiet, basic off-grid woodland site offers peaceful wild camping. Guests love the friendly owners, communal campfire, and natural beauty. Minor points: entrance not obvious, slight road noise.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 3
Arrival date (latest first)

We loved this site! Two night stop off in campervan on our…

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

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

Liked We loved this site! Two night stop off in campervan on our way to Arran and close to Eglington parkrun. A proper little woodland site under the trees.

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent

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
 5
Anonymous

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

Liked Very basic yet super quiet and secluded for a night of perfect peace.children dad a ball trying to catch butterflies.and nice campfire to ,great night.

Disliked No negatives

Recommend to friends Visit again

Woodland setting.…

Overall

3 out of 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.

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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 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
Amanda W.

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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 out of 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.

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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 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
Alastair G.

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 2
Claire T.

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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 out of 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.

Primitive cement/asphalt and grass campervan campsite

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

Features

Pop-up campground

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

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

Rules

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

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Pop-up campground Tiny (1-10 sites)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Garden Cottage

Eglinton Country Park

Kilwinning

Ayrshire

Scotland

KA13 7QA

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

55.64492°N
4.68285°W

Nearest transport

Coach
20.6 km Bus Station
28.8 km Wemyss Bay Station
32.3 km Coronation Park
Rail
2.1 km Kilwinning Rail Station
3.8 km Irvine Rail Station
4.4 km Stevenston Rail Station
Ferry
8.9 km Ardrossan Ferry Terminal
10.7 km Troon Ferry Terminal
16.7 km Fairlie Ferry Terminal
Airport
15.8 km Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
28.9 km 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 5.6 km Sea N/APoorPoorN/A
Saltcoats/Ardrossan 7.5 km Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A
Troon (South Beach) 12.4 km Sea N/AN/AN/AGood
Seamill 12.5 km Sea N/AN/AGoodGood
Prestwick 16.2 km Sea N/AN/AGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Scottish Maritime Museum 4 km

Burns National Heritage Park 24.3 km

Paisley Abbey 27.6 km

Burrell Collection 30.9 km

House for an Art Lover 32.3 km

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 9.4 km

HORSE ISLAND (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 01/10/2005) 9.9 km

Troon - Prestwick 11.8 km

LOCHWINNOCH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 25/04/2005) 16 km

Prestwick to Troon Along the Shore 16.4 km

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.

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?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  Anytime –  Anytime
    Depart by:  Anytime
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Garden Cottage? From $18.50 (for 1 night, 6 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.