ABOUT US
Arden Holiday Cottage has everything you need to relax and unwind in peaceful surroundings. We all know how important it is to take a break once in a while and our cottage is nestled in a quiet rural location ideally situated for rambling, bird watching, cycling, climbing, horse riding and exploring.
We want you to have everything you need to make your holiday go smoothly and we provide superb accommodation with uninterrupted views over local hills and fantastic sunsets. The stunning coastline of South West Scotland is just twenty-five minutes away, where you can choose between sandy beaches or quiet coastal villages. The surrounding area is steeped in local history, with fabulous castles, abbeys, and many other visitor attractions.
Enquire about the cottage here.
About Us
We are Hester and Paul, the proud owners of Arden Holiday Cottage since 2019 and we are hoping to meet lots of new faces. The cottage has been refurbished and decorated throughout, ready to make our cottage your favourite bolt hole for some stress-free time and happy memories.
In 2023 we were delighted to be voted the Best Self Catering Accommodation Experience in the 2023 Scottish Thistle Awards which celebrate the very best of the tourism and events industry.
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We don’t watch TV much and would much rather play board games and find challenging Escape Rooms to break out of. There is a games cupboard here at the cottage with lots of family favourites such as Monopoly, Yahtzee and many others.
For more serious gamers, then we offer the Geek Retreat, Leisurely Legacy, Carry on Campaigning and Boardgame Bonanza.
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Hester likes to spend time with the horses and enjoys finding ways to help people improve their mental health through meditation, Reiki and spending time in nature. We will be offering Relax and Chill Breaks during the year for those who just need space to reboot.
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OUR COTTAGE
Arden Holiday Cottage has been equipped to a very high standard with quality fitments. We are south-west facing with ample parking, a private patio, and an enclosed garden area. The cottage sleeps five people comfortably with a double, twins, single room, bathroom, and a separate toilet and shower room. We can also provide a travel cot for the little ones.
OUR ACTIVITIES
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Arden Holiday Cottage has lots more to offer than just a great place to stay, we want to make your visit that little bit more memorable. Why not try one of our on-site activities and we'll provide everything you need to try something new. Click on the images below to find out more.
Meet the Horses
Reiki Treatments
Escape Room: The Frightful Fairies of Arden Cottage
For our younger guests who find our Escape Room too difficult - we now have a magical version for 6-10 year olds
Meditation Sessions
Malish Indian Head Treatments
PACKAGES
Here at Arden Cottage, we offer some really unique experiences to make your getaway that little bit more memorable. Click on the images to find out more about each self catering package. You can also rent the cottage to run your own workshops or gaming events in our open plan living space. Contact us for dates and availability.
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Geek Retreat
Friday - Sunday / Mid-Week Break
Positive Intelligence Getaway
Relax and Chill Package
Friday - Sunday / Mid-Week Break
Carry on Campaigning
Boardgame Bonanza
Leisurely Legacy
The Crafty Hare Workshops
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GALLERY
Click on one of the pictures for the full gallery.
Local walks near to the cottage
Local walks near to the cottage
Local walks near to the cottage
SEE & DO
We don’t want you to waste your valuable time working out what to do and where to find it – you’re on holiday! So we’ve collected some ideas here on the website and on your arrival you’ll find some suggestions about what’s on in the area during your stay as well as lots of leaflets about local attractions and great places to eat.
Family Activities
There are a wide array of Family Friendly activities available near Dumfries. Try Dalscone or Mabie Farm Park, where you can enjoy a family adventure farm and outdoor rides. Or visit Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum, then nosey around the museum of Robert Burns' Farm, finishing your day with a lovely treat from the Cream O' Galloway.
7 Stanes
The 7 Stanes are seven thrilling mountain biking trail centres in South West Scotland. The cottage is centrally located for five of the trails: Ae, Mabie, Dalbeattie, Glentrool and Kirroughtree. Our cottage makes a fabulous base for exploring the trails whatever your experience. Enjoy relaxing in our comfortable cottage after a hard day on the bike with the peace of mind that your bike is safe in our secure storage after a quick wash with our handy wash down facility.
For more info.
Bird Watching
Starling murmurations can often be seen over the fields around the cottage. Red Kites also hunt in the skies above. There are many fantastic sites to view all different types of birds from Red Kites to Svalbard Barnacle Geese in the local area. Visit the Caerlaverock Wetland Centre – as seen on Spring Watch BBC or pay a visit to the Red Kite Feeding centre.
For more info.
Hiking
Dumfries and Galloway offer an enormous range of walks and hikes from easy 3km jaunts to longer, more strenuous hikes of 12km or more. The Southern Upland Way and Annan Way also pass through the beautiful countryside and walkers can hike these stages. Leaflets for some of the routes are available at the cottage.​
For more info.
Outdoor Centres
For those interested in outdoor activities that haven't been mentioned above there are Wetjets where you can go flyboarding and Dumfries Activity Centre where you can enjoy paddle boarding, sailing, climbing, kayaking, archery, and much more!
Horse Riding
There are also local riding schools where you can go and get your equine therapy fill! Whether it's a gentle carriage ride at the Chariots of Fire Centre or a gallop along the beach at Brighouse Bay Trekking, then whatever your riding experience you'll be covered.
Golf
For the golf enthusiasts, there are two local courses: Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club and Southerness Golf Club.
Climbing
If you are into rock climbing, then there are lots of places to climb or go bouldering in Dumfries & Galloway. One of the most popular crags is Clifton and there is enough climbing here to keep most folk going all day. If you would like an experienced climber to show you the ropes, then John Biggar is a professional Mountaineering Instructor and member of the AMI based in Castle Douglas who offers guided trips.
For more info.
Star Gazing
If you want to have a guided tour of the night sky then you can visit the Scottish Dark Skies Observatory near Loch Doon, Dark Skies Galloway Park, or Galloway Astronomy Centre
From Our Guestbook
'Thanks Hester & Paul for a fantastic Geek Retreat weekend! We loved the escape room and the murder mystery, it really made the trip. The cottage was warm and cosy despite the frosty temperatures and had everything we needed. Can’t not mention the fantastic mountain biking either at the forest of Ae, we got some great snaps. We’ll certainly be back again to try out some of the other 7 Stanes Centres.'
J.T. & friends
Sheffield
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'Well equipped, warm, clean comfortable cottage in lovely peaceful location with scenic views. Delightful open plan lounge/kitchen with everything you could need. We were a party of four adults so the separate bathroom and shower room was a bonus. Few minutes scenic drive to Dumfries made it an excellent find. As it was Christmas loved the tree and selection of board games. Welcome tray much appreciated after long drive. Host directed us to excellent restaurant with ‘Vegan Options’ overlooking the river Nith, well recommended. Will definitely be visiting again. Thank you Hester.'
Mrs PJ
Southampton
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