Springbank Cottage
About the home
This charming cottage was built in the 19th century for the workers of the Downhill Demesne which was owned by the wealthy Earl Bishop of Derry. While the exterior remains basically unchanged, the owners have used imagination and flair to bring the interior right up to date while maintaining its character. The cottage enjoys a magical location on the edge of Downhill Forest giving it proximity to many delightful woodland and headland walks. Furthermore, the nearby Downhill Beach which stretches for miles towards Magilligan , is equally inviting while for those who enjoy the challenges of hill walking, the magnificent slopes and views of Binevenagh are merely a short drive away. Also within easy reach by car is the scenic Antrim Coast and the Roe Valley Country Park, while the rugged Inishowen Peninsula in Co Donegal can be accessed by ferry at Magilligan a 10 minute drive away. Many of the nearby beaches are highly rated for the quality of their surf and surfing is indeed very popular in the area.
The cottage has a large secluded garden ideal for football or cricket or just for reading or relaxing. The spacious deck area with its built in barbeque is perfect for entertaining friends and family.
The cottage has 2 bedrooms, the master bedroom and a bedroom which has a sleeping loft beloved by children young and not so young. There are two generously sized shower rooms. The sitting room is comfortably furnished with sofas, a wood burning stove,a well filled bookcase and some DVDs. The kitchen is small but very adequately equipped with modern appliances.
| Size: | Sleeps up to 5, 2 bedrooms |
|---|---|
| Nearest beach: | Downhill |
| Will consider: | Corporate lets |
| Access: | Car advised Nearest amenities: 1km |
| Family friendly? | Suitable for children of all ages Suitable for people with restricted mobility |
| Notes: | May take pets - please enquire No smoking at this property |
Facilities
| Luxuries: | Log fire, DVD player |
|---|---|
| General: | Central heating, TV, Satellite TV |
| Standard: | Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer |
| Utilities: | Clothes dryer, Dishwasher, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine |
| Rooms: | 2 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms of which 1 en suite and 1 shower room |
| Furniture: | Single beds (2), Double beds (2), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 5 |
| Other: | Linen and towels provided |
| Outdoors: | Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available |
| Access: | Parking space |
Further details outdoors:
There is a large secure shed which has generous storage space for surf boards, bicycles, golf clubs etc.
Further details
Dogs are welcome if they sleep in the shed where a basket is provided.
Photos
Enquire nowVideo
The County Derry region
Co.Derry/Londonderry has many memorable attractions to offer the visitor. In 1770 the wealthy Bishop of Derry was captivated by the beauty of the region which today remains unspoilt. He built the Bishop's Road from Londonderry to his property in Downhill and this journey still provides one of the most spectacular trips on the north coast and is a designated scenic loop off the Causeway Coastal route. A drive along this road towards Downhill offers views over Magilligan, Lough Foyle and the North coast. On a clear day Donegal and the Western Isles can be seen clearly. The road passes through the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a prime location for hill walking and fishing. The visitor is often joined by gliders from the nearby Ulster Gliding Club soaring overhead.
The Bishop's main residence was in Derry, one of the finest examples internationally of Walled Cities. It is fascinating to stroll along the C17th walls and soak up the history of this recently designated UK City of Culture. A train journey with amazing views of the coast brings you back to Castlerock .
Many tourists today share the Bishop's fascination with the magnificent basalt formations of the nearby Giant's Causeway, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and next year work commences on the award winning Visitors' Centre. Close by are the towns of Bushmills, with its famous Distillery, and Portrush and Portstewart, both lively seaside resorts.
The Castlerock area
It is obvious why the Bishop of Derry chose Downhill as the site for his holiday hunting lodge but for today's visitor the attractions are even more numerous. The Demesne is now in the hands of the National Trust and as such the historical buildings are being conserved. Among these, look out for the iconic Mussenden Temple perched on the clifftop with spectacular views over Downhill beach which merges with Benone and Magilligan Strands to form one of Ireland's most beautiful beaches frequented by surfers and walkers.
The National Trust also owns the nearby Hazlett House. Constructed in 1690, it is a fine example of a thatched cottage. The local village of Castlerock has all the essentials for shopping and eating out as well as a championship golf course and a beautiful sandy beach.
Downhill Forest is a peaceful location much loved by those seeking tranquil walks. There are two waymarked paths in the forest, one just over a kilometre long while the other is two kilometres. Both pass by the lake, once a fishpond but now home to mallards, coots and dabchicks.
How to get there
Click map icons for more information
|
|||||||||||
| Nearest Travel Links | |
| Airport: | City of Derry; Belfast International Airport |
| Railway: | Castlerock; Coleraine |
| Ferry: | Larne and Belfast |
City of Derry Airport
Belfast International Airport
George Best Belfast City Airport
P&O Irish Sea Ferry Troon, Cairnryan to Larne
Stena Line Fast Ferry (Stranraer to Belfast)
Liverpool to Dublin Ferry
Dublin Airport
Trains from Castlerock go to Londonderry, Belfast and Dublin
Activities near Castlerock
Tennis in town
Watersports
Horse Riding
Golf less than 15 mins walk
Fishing
Walking holidays
Rural / countryside retreats
Beach or lakeside relaxation
Cycling holidays
Reviews
![]() 02 Sep 2012 |
It was just lovely - all of it! I think its location is what we enjoyed the most. Being able to walk out of the cottage into the forest and by the waterfalls as well as down to the lovely beach was fabulous. |
![]() 30 Jul 2012 |
This is a fabulous little cottage hidden away in a forest near downhill. The look and feel of the place is great. Although this is an old traditional cottage it has been extended and fully... more |
![]() 07 Jul 2012 |
Greeted by our friendly and helpful hosts on arrival, Keith Gilmour was easy and efficient to deal with throughout. The cottage had excellent facilities and was full of character and comfort. A very good base from which to explore the Northern Ireland coast line of Derry and Antrim, as well as the Inishowen peninsular of Donegal.We enjoyed the regular visits by the local family of peacocks! A good find and would thoroughly recomend it. |
Rental prices
| Rental prices originally quoted in: British £ | Convert to: |
| Prices for group size 5 | ||||||
| Period | From![]() | To![]() | Weekly![]() | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| Low season | 25 Dec 11 | 8 Apr 12 | £ 375 | - | - | Flexible |
| mid season | 8 Apr 12 | 1 Jul 12 | £ 430 | - | - | Flexible |
| high season | 1 Jul 12 | 2 Sep 12 | £ 530 | - | - | 1 Week |
| mid season | 2 Sep 12 | 23 Dec 12 | £ 430 | - | - | Flexible |
The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Payment can be made by cheque or BACS(Bank automated clearing system)
Minimum £100 deposit is required to secure any booking and balance must be paid by cheque 28 days before arrival.
£50 security deposit is required on arrival which will be fully refundable if there are no breakages and the cottage is left in the same clean state in which it was found on arrival.
Strictly no smoking
Springbank Cottage should be vacated by 12 noon on the day of departure. Arrival after 15.00 hours.
The owners of Springbank Cottage cannot be held responsible for damage to person or property and adequate insurance is recommended.
Enquire nowAvailability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
| Key: | 11 | 12 | Unvailable | 11 | 12 | Available | 11 | 12 | Reserved | 11 | 12 | Arrival/Departure dates |
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | ||
| May 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||||||||
| Jul 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||||||
| Aug 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||||||
| Sep 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||||||||
| Oct 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||||||
| Nov 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||||||||
| Dec 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||||||
| Jan 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Contact the owner
* Required fields Please check the following errors: | You are contacting Kris Fairfield
Languages spoken ![]() The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2012. This cottage has received 5 reviews from previous guests. ![]() |
Verified property owner
This owner has been verified by our team
Book direct
Payment for this home can be made directly to the owner.
This advert is created and maintained by the advertiser; we can only publish adverts in good faith as we don't own, manage or inspect any of the properties. We advise you to familiarise yourself with our terms of use and FAQs.

Enlarge



























Share video






