Email Noddsdale House enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Largs
Escape to this special sanctuary!
Two charming upmarket self catering holiday apartments in a beautiful B Listed Country House influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, in Brisbane Glen near Largs, Ayrshire, on the West Coast of Scotland.
Set in extensive grounds which include lawns, ponds, mature trees, shrubs, a rock garden, an all weather tennis court and stunning views, Noddsdale is a peaceful haven away from it all.
Full of character and wonderful antique furniture, beautiful pictures and almost everything you could need in your own home let alone a holiday cottage, Noddsdale is a comfy, quiet and perfect place to re-charge the batteries and relax or use it as a base for exploring Ayrshire, Argyll and some islands.
Noddsdale House Accommodation
Noddsdale, unique and offering a warm welcome in a wonderful location, is a delightful and very special place to stay. All you need to do is decide which part of this unusual Scottish country house you would like to stay in; the Bell Loft with its traditional yet contemporary luxury, or East Wing with its unusual wooden pitched ceiling in the sitting room (or perhaps you would like both!), fill it with family or friends and let the peaceful surroundings work their magic!
The Bell Loft
Formerly the staff quarters, The Bell Loft has been sympathetically and
totally refurbished to provide a luxury self catering holiday home. It
is on the first floor of Noddsdale House and has its own private door
and staircase.
The two bedrooms can either be super-kings or single beds – big and comfy for a good night’s sleep, with 250 thread count 100% cotton bed linen and beautifully hand embroidered pillowcases. Pillows and duvets are allergy friendly and there are interlined curtains, to keep you cosy in winter.
Each bedroom has a bathroom across the passage. The master bedroom has the larger bathroom with a separate shower. The other has a shower over the bath. Flooring is allergy friendly and there are plenty of sumptuous towels. Sleeps 4 + 1, children 10 years and over are welcome.
The comfortable Living/Dining/Kitchen area come together to create a delightful space with an open fire. There is a flat screen freeview TV, with radio and CD player, DVD and internet access, chairs and sofa-bed, a reclaimed pine dining table (extends to seat up to 8, if combining with East Wing) a small library of books, games, cards, DVD's and CD's.
The kitchen is rather fun with a Belfast sink, a Zodiac Quartz worktop and every utensil a cook could need and some supplies to get you started.
Central heating throughout is electric. There is a shared laundry room under the East Wing with a washing machine, tumble drier, and pulleys. There is also a washing line on the drying green to catch the Ayrshire breeze if you would prefer not to use the drier!
There is room for storing bikes in the laundry if required. Recycling bins are also here. There are garden benches for relaxing/reading in different shared areas of the grounds.
The East Wing
Converted in the 1920s, from farm buildings, this was the guest wing for
Noddsdale House. It has been a holiday destination for many happy customers
for over 30 years and is most attractive and unusual with a pitched wooden
ceiling in the sitting room.
The self contained apartment has its own front door and steps and is on the first floor of Noddsdale House above the old Laundry and Music Room. The hall is spacious and welcoming. (Room for a single luxury folding bed if required). The kitchen and dining area are off the hall and seats 4 people comfortably. It is very well appointed.
The bedroom sleeps 2 in either a King or 2 single beds and all bed linen is provided. The bathroom is next door and has a bath, basin and WC. There are plenty of towels. Sleeps 2 + 2, children 10 years and over are welcome.
The sitting room has a double sofa bed as well as an additional sofa and comfy chairs. There is a flat screen freeview TV, Video, DVD, internet access,CD Player and radio and games, cards and a small library of books as well as DVD's and CD's.
Heating is by electricity and is included in the price. There is a shared laundry room under the East Wing with a washing machine, tumble drier and pulleys. There is also a washing line on the drying green for those who prefer to catch the Ayrshire breeze.
There is room for bike storage in the laundry too. Recycling bins are also here. There are garden benches around the shared grounds for admiring the view, reading or just taking time out.
Out & About
Noddsdale is surrounded by peaceful gardens with colourful shrubs in the
spring and woodlands with plenty of birds and wildlife. The views from
the tops of the hills are stunning on clear days, so do bring boots for
walking.
Historic houses
The National Trust for Scotland properties to visit could include Burns
National Heritage Park, Alloway, Ayr and Robbie Burns’ cottage,
an hour away by car and to the south of Ayr, the magnificent Culzean
Castle and extensive gardens.
Dumfries House near Cumnock, saved for the nation by The Prince of Wales, in East Ayrshire full of wonderful furniture, or spend a day on the Isle of Bute and visit Mount Stuart House, which is magical.
Argyll
Crarae Gardens, Inverary Castle, Inverary Jail and Loch
Fyne Oyster Bar would make for a great day out, either by ferry across
to Dunoon, possibly taking in the Younger Botanical Gardens or driving
by Loch Lomond.
Arran
Brodick Castle, the Distillery at Loch Ranza and stocking
up on presents at Arran Aromatics are all worth a visit. Closer to Largs,
is the Isle of Cumbrae which has the smallest Cathedral in the country
and the Garrison, recently refurbished most beautifully, houses the local
museum.
Glasgow
Museums, shops, concert halls, restaurants and venues and is only an hour
away by train. Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument are a little further
away, but you could take in the Falkirk Wheel en route!
Largs
Yacht Haven, Kelburn Country Centre, St Columba’s
Heritage Centre, which opened in 2009 and tells the story of
Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane who left his home, Brisbane House, to go
to Australia, became Governor of New South Wales in 1821 and gave his
name to the city of Brisbane.
The centre also tells the story of other famous people from Largs – Sam Torrance, Gallacher and Lyle and Daniella Nardini to name a few.
Land Activities
The all weather tennis court in the garden at Noddsdale is available most
of the time – bring your own racquets and balls if possible. Hire
bicycles and pedal 11 miles around the Isle of Cumbrae, or go over the
top if feeling energetic!
Play golf at any of the numerous courses in Ayrshire – or visit the Open Championship courses at Turnberry or Royal Troon. Try your hand at Off Road Driving, or go Pony Trekking at Kelburn Country Centre. Indoor Dry Ski at Xscape, Braehead near Glasgow airport.
Water Activities
Cumbrae Voyages Adventure run RIBs to see local wildlife at sea and the
National Watersports Centre on Cumbrae run various courses
for sailors and windsurfers. The Clyde is also a popular Diving spot.
Swim indoors at the Vikingar, Largs or outdoors at the
heated salt water filled pool in Gourock (May to September!)
DIRECTIONS
Largs is a bustling town at the north end of the Ayrshire coast and is
accessible by train and bus, although, as Noddsdale is slightly out of
the town, a car is the most practical form of transport!
By Road:
From the North: follow M8/A8/A78 through Greenock to
Largs. Approximately half a mile inside the 30mph limit (there is a 40mph
limit first) turn left into Douglas Street at the signs for Brisbane Glen
Road and the National Sports Centre and follow the directions from Douglas
Street below.
From the South: follow the A78 to Largs and proceed to the North end of the Esplanade. Turn right into Douglas Street at the signs for Brisbane Glen Road and the National Sports Centre and follow the directions from Douglas Street below.
From the East: take the A737 to Irvine at Glasgow Airport, then after nine miles turn right on to the A760 passing Lochwinnoch, through Kilbirnie and on to Largs. Turn right at the lights at the bottom of the hill and follow the main road to the north end of the Esplanade. Turn right up Douglas Street at the signs for Brisbane Glen Road and the National Sports Centre and follow the directions from Douglas Street below.
From Douglas Street: follow the road into Brisbane Glen, past Kilburn Water (a cul-de-sac) on the left and the cemetery on the right. Once past the restriction signs take the third entrance on the right marked Private Road and drive up the hedge lined avenue – Noddsdale House is at the top. Come to the front for the key and then you will be directed to the East Wing.
By Air:
Both Glasgow and Prestwick Airports are within an hour's drive.
By Train:
There is a regular train service from Glasgow Central and although there
is a change at Kilwinning, trains run from Ayr, stopping at Prestwick
Airport on a regular basis.
By Bus:
Buses run from Glasgow and Ayr and stop in the town centre. See the Citylink
bus timetables. The local bus does not come as far as Noddsdale.
Taxi:
There are plenty of taxis in the town – so for a night out they
are ideal. We can also give details of a taxi company that does airport
runs, should that be necessary, although we do recommend a car for practical
purposes!
Email Noddsdale House enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
