Our chalets stand within 20  yards of Luce Bay and are close to the Mull of Galloway coastal path which stretches 11 miles to the spectacular cliffs at Scotland's most southerly point.

Luce Bay is well known for tope and sea bass and has been described by one sea angling site as "God's Own Country." The South Rhins peninsula is only three miles across at this point and  on the "back shore", Ardwell Bay has a sandy beach, views west over to Ireland and the remains of a broch, an ancient Pictish clifftop castle.

From the chalets it's a pleasant walk alongside a loch to the gardens of nearby Ardwell House, which are particularly famous for their camellias, azaleas and tree rhododendrons. This area has a special mild climate because of the effects of the Gulf Stream; it is home to no less than six public gardens, each with its own character including the world famous sub-tropical Logan Botanic Garden about two miles away to the south on the way to the seaside village of Port Logan, which was used for the filming of the TV series "2000 Acres of Sky." Port Logan's Fish Pond is an unusual, possibly unique, attraction. It's a tidal pool created by an ice age blow hole that allows visitors to feed tame fish.

The village of Sandhead, about 3 miles away, has a stunning beach as its name suggests, and is home to the Tigh Na Mara hotel and restaurant, ideal for evening meals, plus a general store/post office, and tearoom. The busy town of Stranraer,  10 miles away on the shore of Loch Ryan, has a choice of restaurants, supermarkets and an indoor swimming pool at the Lochryan Leisure Centre. The nearby ferry port of Cairnryan is the home of the fast ferry to Northern Ireland.  It takes just 90 minutes to sail across to Belfast with its shops and stores and makes an ideal day out; check out the special Day Return offers from operators Stena.

The Mull of Galloway with its dramatic 300-foot cliffs, and stunning views of the Isle of Man, Scotland and Ireland, is not to be missed and nor is the award-winning Gallie Craig cliffside tea-room built, Hobbit-fashion, partly into the hillside.

The fishing village of Portpatrick, with its fine seafood restaurants, pubs, craft shops and annual Folk Festival is only nine miles away and is the starting point of the Southern Upland Way long distance footpath. It also has two golf courses, a pitch and putt course and all-weather sports pitch. Book lovers can enjoy a day out at Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town on the Bladnoch Estuary, which boasts several book shops including Scotland's largest, The Bookshop, on the main street.

Less than an hour away Glentrool in the Galloway Hills is one of the most visually stunning glens in the whole of Scotland and Bruce's Stone, high above Loch Trool, marks the site of one of Robert the Bruce's key battles. For a scenic drive the A712 Queen's Way passes Murray's Monument, the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, the Red Deer Range and Clatteringshaws Loch on its way to New Galloway.  A special forest trail, the Raiders' Road, follows the River Dee past the Otter's Pool picnic site on its way to Loch Ken.

Directions:

Ardwell is 10 miles south of Stranraer on the A716. If travelling west on A75 from Dumfries turn left just after Glenluce and follow signs to Drummore. The Chalets are signposted as you come into Ardwell village.

If using satellite navigation, enter postcode DG9 9LS. The scenic A712 Queen's Way via New Galloway is only slightly slower than the A75 and your satnav may send you that way anyway.

Double click map to navigate.