Comfortable Family Retreat | 1060519SK

A 19th-century sandstone lodge, guarding the entrance of the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Estate, Gate Lodge offers a traditional holiday home for a group of five seeking a scenic base in Scotland. Boasting views onto the garden that blooms with daffodils in the spring, it makes a spectacular choice for an idyllic escape. Once home to the housekeeper of the Gordon family, the cottage now provides a superb space to enjoy a piece of baronial splendour. Enter the property on the ground floor and discover the beautiful social spaces, made up of a sitting room with a wood burner, encompassed by traditional furnishings where you can relax; a kitchen hosting a good range of appliances and utensils; and a formal dining room where you can enjoy quality time together over a homemade meal. Also, on the ground floor rests a bathroom and a shower room, giving you a choice of either a bath or shower to begin the day, as well as the master double bedroom. Take the winding staircase to the first floor to find the final two bedrooms, a twin and a single, wonderfully suited to a variety of group needs, with each bedroom offering a unique, traditional interior. Soak up your surroundings in the mornings in your own private garden, observing the red squirrels and nuthatches that regularly visit, before exploring the wider grounds of the Threave Estate. The properties sit in an extremely desirable position, amidst natural beauty and wonderful wildlife, with an osprey platform and a bat reserve too, they offer a truly unique experience at any time of the year. As well as the beautiful Victorian era gardens, you can find a visitor centre, café, shop, and a nature reserve all within walking distance of your front door, so you'll never have to venture far to find excitement. The centre of the local town of Castle Douglas rests slightly further afield; known as the 'Food Town', it's sure to offer something for all your cuisine needs, with a wide variety of food shops, pubs, and restaurants to choose from, plus a selection of shops to while away the hours in. Loch Ken is worth a visit for keen birdwatchers, home to the official Red Kite trail, as well as being within easy reach of the Galloway Activity Centre for even more adventure! Venture towards the beautiful Galloway Hills, or enjoy a day in the riverside town of Kirkcudbright, known locally as the artists’ town, and discover the Stewartry Museum, a picturesque marina and the impressive National Trust for Scotland owned Broughton House & Garden, once the Edwardian home and studio of Scottish artist E A Hornel, you can expect to find a plethora of beautiful paintings accompanied by an equally impressive garden boasting a beautiful blend of Eastern and Western horticulture. Further afield is the village of Ecclefechan, Thomas Carlyle’s birthplace, where you can visit the home of this prolific writer and social commentator, constructed by Carlyle’s father and uncle, definitely well-worth a visit. A truly special holiday home, choose Gate Lodge for your escape to Scotland. EPC Rating: Band E