Brewhouse Flat - Culzean Castle

We had the best time staying at The Brewhouse, it felt such a privilege to have the site practically to ourselves when closed to the public.

The accommodation was large, comfortable and well equipped. Yes, the WiFi/tv is a little patchy, but that was a very minor point on an otherwise perfect stay.

Loved our stay here.

Very comfortable flat, beds were amazing, kitchen superbly kitted out plus very high quality and the country park was beautiful - miss the sea views of Arran already. Only slight downside was the limited facilities to dry clothes but that is understandable due to the age of the property although a larger airer would have been welcome. Perfectly manageable if you plan ahead. Culzean country park has so much to offer; recommend the interesting tour around the castle, loved walking the trails when we came home from a day out or in the evening; onsite cafes a treat, car parks at regular intervals if want to get to a particular part of the site plus the best National Trust shop we've seen. The gas house beach was great for bird spotting or a quick dip but our favourite beach was Carrick beach at the far end of the site - beautiful sand, very safe for swimming as waves generally small there in good weather, quiet as seems undiscovered and great rockpools at low tide. Worked well for us as could park at the Swan pond car park, access toilets and cafe and then walk towards Audlochlan lodge, up a short section of the dolphin trail and then down the boardwalk to the beach. Also recommend Humeston farm shop, pretty fishing village of Dunure, the Burns Birthplace museum in Alloway and a day trip to Arran (ferry and stagecoach tickets not overpriced - lots of different activities available there and if pick a good weather day may be treated to seeing seals sunbathing along the beach at Lamlash or dolphins swimming from the ferry). Thank you National Trust for having us; hope to come back another time.

Lovely short stay in the Brewhouse Flat, our first visit to Culzean but certainly won't be our last.

Very well appointed and comfortable accommodation, fully equipped kitchen and everything clean and tidy.

Gorgeous ground floor flat in Culzean Castle.

Lovely large rooms, comfortable seating in living room and well equipped kitchen. Definitely recommend!

This attractive property is located in a stunning country park with great views.

The flat itself was well appointed and equipped with everything we required. I particularly enjoyed the range of walks available on your doorstep.

Staying in the Brewhouse flat as part of Culzean Castle within the Country park was altogether magic.

We loved the views to Arran and both the sunsets and rises. It was amazing to be able to pop into the Castle multiple times and dress up into various costumes, as well as have the place to oneself with a picnic on the lawn after visitors to the Castle had gone home. We explored the beaches and loved the Romeo and Juliet performance on the evening of our arrival. We made the most amazing memories as a family and felt truly privileged in every way. A slice of Heaving this experience was!!!

A beautiful flat, very well appointed - feels luxurious.

The castle, grounds, beaches, walled garden, book shop, gallery, tea shop and restaurant were lovely, and we didn't need to leave the estate during our 3 day stay. The wifi was a bit patchy in some rooms (probably due to the thick stone walls), and we couldn't get the Free Sat to connect, although we didn't follow this up with the staff as we didn't need it.

Beautifully appointed flat.

Everything we could have wanted was supplied. The view of the sea was wonderful and the castle and all its facilities were on doorstep.

Absolutely amazing flat and location!

Brilliant place to stay marvelous views and lots of places to visit.

Hoping to go back again next year if jo will have us .Thank you Bobby and Helen .

Beautifully appointed, tastefully curated, spotlessly clean, cosy and comfortable.

Weather a wee bit inclement when we stayed but we were kept up to date with excellent communication from the castle team. We had a wonderful stay and are planning our return.

Fabulous accommodation in a wonderful setting.

The apartment had everything we needed. Culzean Country Park is a great place to get away from it all for a few days.

The flat was beautiful!

I was disappointed by the constant stream of people walking through the 'private' garden. It was March and there was no way I could sit quietly on my own bench as there were random people sat on it....morning afternoon evening. We chose the accommodation based on the private space. There seems to be foot path from the beach that leads straight into the garden and no sign or fence to ask people not to enter from the castle side, so don't call it a private garden or terrace!

Perfect.

We loved our stay. Spotlessly clean. Really comfortable bed. Spacious. Very well equipped kitchen. Sea views. And a castle with varied and beautiful grounds, with a café and excellent second-hand bookshop. What more could you want?! (The wi-fi is dodgy but that wasn't a problem for us.) In February the castle was shut so it was quiet round the grounds. An exceptional place to stay.

Exactly as described.

Fully equipped, very clean, nothing to second-guess as the pre-arrival info is detailed and accurate as is the info in the guest file at the flat. It is a very special place to stay, a beautiful location and property. We thoroughly enjoyed walking around the grounds. We would stay there again

This is a most excellent and spacious apartment in a spectacular clifftop location.

The living space was spotless and the cleaning standards were obviously very high. The listing was slightly inaccurate as it stated: "bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC", and there is no bath just an entirely satisfactory shower. The only disappointment was the outdoor lights on a dusk-to-dawn timer, intended to illuminate vulnerable areas like doors and windows (and steps), which intrude into the bedrooms during the night even with heavy weight curtains and are the wrong type of light for the area. It could be a source of annoyance and undermine enjoyment of the dark night skies. To improve, consider more efficient lighting with a motion sensor. The apartment is very well-equipped with high-quality furnishings, modern technology, and thoughful details, worthy of a five-star rating for exceptional standards.

We rented this flat thirteen years ago, so it was a meeting again, this time in a refurbished and well equipped and modernised appartment with spacious rooms and luxurious interior decoration.

It is a unique place in a castle and gardens with stunning views, offering not only comfortable living inside but also all sorts of activities and amenities outside. Including a restaurant, a bookshop and a walled garden, not to mention the tour of the castle itself. We loved strolling along the coastline and into the woods, watching wildlife, birds and the seals. A minus factor was a not functioning WIFI including TV, which, after our complaints, was not dealt with properly and effectively during our stay.

This is our second stay at The Brewhouse Flat.

Since our last stay the flat has been refurbished - it was good before, but now it's even better - and I can't fault it at all. It really has been very tastefully furnished and is a credit to all the staff at NTS. I have stayed at other NTS locations and they have always been good. The staff are kind and helpful and the locations beautiful, so there is not much more you could ask for.

It was amazing, thanks for letting us stay in a castle!

It is the best holiday home we have ever stayed in! Incredible setting, extremely comfortable and beautifully decorated in keeping with the overall vibe of the amazing castle. The grounds of the estate were also incredible - a lovely varied setting with sea, woodland, play parks, gardens, cafes and cricket pitches! There was more than enough to keep us busy on the estate for several of our holiday days and we need to come back again to finish exploring fully! Overall this was an AMAZING family holiday setting - well done to NTS for making such an amazing place accessible to the public in this way!

Dirty windows Strange odour in some of the rooms Unusable internet No restock of supplies - bin bags, coffee throughout the week

What a treat getting to stay in a castle!

The rooms were spacious and comfortable, obviously quite recently refreshed and updated. Everything you need to have a pleasant stay (except maybe a wooden spoon or two for cooking - unless we just didn’t find them!) Exploring the castle and grounds right on your doorstep was great too. Thank you for our stay.

Top quality stay, loved every minute of it.

This is an absolutely beautiful property in an absolutely stunning setting.

Everything in the flat is of a high standard and it is equipped with everything you could need. I highly recommend staying here.

A superb stay at a wonderful property.

Cannot recommend this one highly enough. Beautifully decorated and excellently equipped and in such great location. Very tranquil and with great walks around the castle grounds and cliffs.

Excellent accommodation in a wonderful location.

Tastefully decorated and furnished in keeping with the historical ambience of the castle. Extremely comfortable, and all fittings and facilities are of the highest quality. We would unreservedly recommend this accommodation.

We had a very enjoyable week at the Brewhouse in Culzean Castle.

It was newly renovated and beautifully appointed inside. The flat was very comfortable for a family of 4, especially the bedrooms which are huge. The estate itself is fabulous and there was plenty to keep us entertained. Two thing that were missing for us that would have made the accommodation perfect, chopping boards in the kitchen and some outdoor seating to enjoy the fantastic views.

This is our third stay in the Brew House Flat - we love it and hope to return again soon.

The only improvement I would suggest is a new tin opener!

Had a great time at the flat, all rooms were spacious especially the bedrooms, the kitchen was well appointed and all the appliances looked new, the bathroom however was what you would call "bijou".

Even though I was there in June the weather was very windy and a bit cold, however the night storage heaters were on when I arrived and the whole place was nice and warm. The main attraction is of course where the flat is - in a castle surrounded by beautiful woodlands with great walks and a large adventure playground for the kids. I have visited Culzean many times (I used to have a caravan along the shore) and I never grow tired of the place, I have stayed in two of the suites on the top floor of the castle and also in the Royal Artillery cottage - anyone staying in any of the properties will certainly not be disappointed. However, a few little suggestions for the managemant to consider:- 1. A net curtain on the inside front door for a wee bit of privacy. 2. A handle to be fitted on the wardrobe door in the bedroom with the two single beds, the door was sticking - I had to use a spoon handle to prise it open. 3. A tray for carrying food to the dining table (maybe there was one but I didn't see any) In conclusion, I can highly recommend the properties I've stayed in and I have every intention of booking in again.

We had a wonderful stay at the Brewhouse flat again in springtime and enjoyed the peace and beauty of the Culzean estate and its nearby beaches.

Apart from a visit to Alloway, everything we wished was on our doorstep. Having stayed there twice before, we knew the flat and what was provided; anything on our wish list for improvements is so tiny that it does not overshadow the restful and rewarding week there. Thank you NTS and Sykes

This location exceeded our expectations.

The flat was clean, tidy and spacious. The NTS Scotland staff in the castle could not be more helpful. What a lovely spot. If you love the coast, history and the countryside, then you won't find better than this. Well done National Trust Scotland.

Booked Brewhouse for short Autumn self-catering break, with easy country walks, and within an hour of family in Glasgow.

It ticked all the boxes and more! We'd never been to Culzean Castle before and were blown away by the views (best in the apartment was from corridor window). Cons: 1. small bathroom with a shower over bath which both worked ok but not brilliantly (why only gave facilities a smile, not super smile) 2. Patchy wifi (could be considered a pro!) Pros: 1. Views, views, views 2. Really comfortable beds and sofas 3. Castle with the enthusiastic guides in all the rooms (we did Lego self tour & then the guided grizzly tour) 4. Staying on a National Trust for Scotland property with a cafe, gift shop, second-hand bookshop, and recycling bins - so easy holiday rubbish sorting!

Absolutely idyllic setting and flat was well equipped with everything you could need.

Loved every minute of our stay at Brewhouse flat.

Very comfortable, cosy even on a very stormy night! Felt very special staying in the castle! So much to see and do in the grounds of Culzean. We’ll definitely be back! Thank you NTS.

Very peaceful, good walks around the gardens and nice views around the castle, staff helpful when needed with a couple of problems.

BAD POINTS. At night no security or cameras facing the flat, large rooms that look very sparse due to no pictures on walls, no slip mat in bath or hand rail very limited space in the bathroom, one side of bed very worn and uncomfortable. Would we stay here again. A BIG. NO.

We really enjoyed our stay at Culzean Castle and loved having access to the grounds after they had closed to the public.

The Brewhouse is as quirky as you would hope an apartment in a castle would be: huge rooms and long corridors yet with modern bathroom and kitchen, well equipped with everything you could need. Highly recommended.

The setting is wonderful and very special in the evenings when you can wander the grounds and the beach in peace.

Numerous walks and paths kept us busy for a week and the excellent restaurant makes a good back up when self catering.The flat is well supplied and the beds are comfortable . The storage heaters make it quite hot so we turned them off in the bedroom. It would feel more luxurious if there were some more pictures (hooks but no art), the throws were of better quality with an armchair in the bedrooms etc. The furniture in the second bedroom was rather tatty and again no pictures or ‘comfort’. Visible cobwebs in the kitchen and bathroom window recesses and greater attention to cleaning skirting boards and around the toilet area was needed. While appreciating it is a coastal property, clean window exteriors would enhance the magnificent views and a more comfortable seating area outside would be an asset.

Stayed in many Trust properties over the years and this was the most disappointing and ironically the most expensive one we have visited.

Not value for money! There was the basics, but a lack of attention to the details. For example, there was washing up liquid to do the dishes but no sponge or dish brush and only one tea towel for the week. The 'private' gargen was not marked as such and had at least two groups come around to see what was there, one of whom was part of a wedding party looking for a quite spot to drink thier beer. The garden is a small mown triangle of lawn, with 8 manhole covers, one of which must have been part of the sewers because it smelt and the smell blew into the flat (hence the need for the scented defuser in the living room. The dark chocolate brown carpet and cream walls are depressing and the feel of the flat was dark. The view from the windows over to Arran is obscured by Sycamore saplings the have grown up, and really could do with a prune. As mentioned by others, the WiFi is only really accessible in the hallway. That is another quick fix, but as I say the lack of attention to detail (and previous feedback) mean that this is still an issue. While on gadgets, the cheap TV need updating to receive HD because we were unable to watch the local news for weather updates. Like a lot of things about this property, for the price you'd expect better and from the Trust too. Finally one of the polite notices ask that you don't put tea bags down the toilet: who knew that was a thing! So overall a lovely setting in a lovely part of the country, but a not so lovely flat. We will not be back.

It was like having your own piece of paradise when most of the day visitors had gone.

So much so see and do on the estate let alone elsewhere. Well equipped kitchen and comfortable. We have only one suggestion. Understandably the mobile signal is poor inside the flat, being semi-basment and with thick walls, but the wifi is shaky in the bedroom. The property is on one floor and presumably the bedrooms and sitting room are on the same electric circuit. A Wifi extender that plugs into the electric circuit is better in buildings with thick walls.

The dullest and most sparse furnishing ever seen in a historic holiday cottage.

Battleship grey sofas on liver coloured flooring! Jig! Neatly and large but not cousy. Comparative standards: NT cottages, other NTS cottages before Sykes took over, Landmark Trust Cottages and Irish Landmark Trust Cottages. And what we three really missed: a simple garden set to be able to enjoy outside meals, tea and coffee while admiring the view on Arran! NT cottages always have those small iron sets. The last ten years or so we have seen many NT and NTS cottage furnishings change in to non-descript interiors without any historic atmosphere. Pity, the attraction once was exactly that bit of shabby chic with antiques, book cases - including books -, old prints, worn tapestries, snug sofas ... in line with the 'genius loci''. But, admitted, the location itself made up for everything. Of course Adam's architecture, which was the main reason to stay at Culzean, incredible sundowns (and even one moondown) over Arran, fantastic private coffee drinking (before opening time of the parkland) in the orangerie building in the fountain garden among the blossoming and weet smelling lemons, walks along cliffs, beaches and estate boundaries, strolling in the walled garden, cream tea at the home farm ... Culzean whiskey in our flat ... so after all: 5 stars!

An excellent return visit to the Brewhouse flat in Culzean Castle, recently.

Spring in the Culzean estate is magical with the gardens, woodland walks and the beaches to north and south. The flat has lots of character, and comfort, reflecting its historical surroundings; the kitchen and bathroom are modern and well-equipped. We were delighted to find that the twin room had new beds with firm mattresses so we eschewed the very soft mattresses of the superking bed and slept much better. Often, the beautiful sunset over Arran, across the water from "our" windows, bring the day to a peaceful end. Hope to return again - thank you NTS and Sykes.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing holiday at the Brewhouse Flat, Culzean Castle.

We found it very spacious, clean and warm. The property met with the description so we found the property to our expectations. Overall, a great place to stay. Thanks.

We had a great stay, the Brewhouse Flat was quiet and private and had great views of the Firth of Clyde and beyond.

The grounds of the castle were a delight and we took different walks each day of our stay. The flat is well equipped and an ideal location to explore the Ayrshire Coast. Not for publishing - An updated system or WiFi extenders would be good, very difficult to connect to the router.

Great experience to be in the castle building.

Accommodation was very spacious, cosy and comfortable and we very quickly felt 'at home'. Lots to do without leaving the grounds - plenty of walks and beautiful scenery and even the coffee shop was open every day! Already started looking at the other cottages avaIlable at Culzean as we enjoyed it so much!

We absolutely loved our stay at The Brewhouse Flat.

The property was perfect for our needs and was very warm and comfortable. The steps were not a big issue for us despite having my parents of 86 and 83 staying with us. They run parallel to the building with a steady incline and plenty of resting places so my parents were well able to manage them. The estate itself is absolutely beautiful and the views are stunning at this time of the year. If you like walking it is the perfect location. I would thoroughly recommend a stay at Culzean.

We had a lovely week in such a special place.

It is our third stay at Calzean and we can’t wait for another visit.

The flat is of a high standard, large rooms and well furnished.

The flat is in an excellent location in the grounds with plenty of walks in the grounds, the views are breath-taking. The facilities on site are superb.

Overall a very pleasant and enjoyable stay in a comfortable property.

It would have been helpful if the information provided in advance had included reference to the dishwasher - that was a welcome 'addition'. There was something of a lack of information in the property about the local area, potential visits, walks, etc. In particular an OS Map of the local area, information on bus routes/times would have been helpful.

Loved staying here - it is the second time we have been and we will go back again.

First holiday after covid, I chose the Brewhouse Flat because I’d been seven years ago and remembered how private and isolated it was.

It was just what we needed, a break from fear, very comfortable in an amazing setting and a great base to go explore other places- wasn’t sure I’d feel happy going anywhere other than the grounds but felt very safe in Scotland nowhere was crowded. Culzean was fabulous for miles and miles of walks and the castle was great, Coastal walks in Ayr, and a trip to Dalgarven Mill for fabulous historical costume exhibit. We did a lot considering we hadn’t been out of the house for over two years!!!

Excellent value for money.

Two problems which should be noted: 1. The space between the basin and the bath is very limited. I banged my hip badly on one occasion and I am only a size 10. This would be an issue for larger/disabled visitors. 2. No warning that the fire alarm would go off at approx 9am on the Friday morning. We only quessed it was a test because we had stayed prviously in the flat. Apart from the above we had a fabulous week and enjoyed being able to walk in the grounds which were peaceful and full of autumn colours.

We stayed at the Brewhouse Flat in Culzean Castle.

It is a lovely apartment made all the more enjoyable with the fact you are actually staying in a castle. The apartment was equipped with everything you could need. It is a lot bigger than the pictures make out, and is warm and cosy on cold nights. The kitchen and bathroom have both been updated and are different to the pictures online. Some of the furniture looked a bit dated, still nice and useable, but what do you expect from a castle :-) The castle grounds are beautiful, and you have them to yourself when they are closed to the public. We could have stayed for another week, as we were enjoying ourselves so much. Would love to stay again in the future!!

The flat was excellent.

It was warm, comfortable, very cosy and immaculate. The contact we had with some members of staff was very friendly. The park and gardens were a delight and we enjoyed exploring along all of the designated paths. The cafe was a bonus with excellent food and very friendly staff . Everyone observed covid protective behaviour yet still made us feel very welcome. All in all a wonderful holiday in a magical setting. Thank you so much.

It was a bit chilly

The location was stunning and the apartment was comfort and clean.

The grounds of the Castle were beautifully maintained my only regret was that we were not staying longer. Recommended to friends already!

Nice and spacious flat in old historic castle with high ceilings.

Dedicated parking close to the property. The property is in quiet corner of the castle grounds, surrounded by beautiful park and sea.

We had a lovely 5 night stay in Brewhouse Flat.

It had a new kitchen and bathroom, comfortable large bed and pleasant lounge. The views over the sea to Arran and Holy Isle were great. The great bonus for us was living in part of a historic castle and within the estate grounds. Huge with varied landscapes and the castle and adjacent buildings are so atmospheric, especially in the evenings when the daytime visitors have gone. A different walk every evening.