South Segganwell - Culzean Castle

South Segenwell is a special place.

Watching the ever changing coast, the seabirds, and the Isle of Arran in the distance. Having access to Culzeane castle grounds was lovely. The accommodation was just right. Perfect.

1 special case only criticism.

The small green area in front would benefit from a low fence to mark the edge of a 4 foot drop. This is purely a selfish thing as we have an almost blind epileptic bassett hound who can be clumsy. We kept him under close watch and no harm was done. But if that doesnt apply to you and you want to escape to somewhere secluded with a beach providing the night time hypnotic wave crashing soundtrack to mesmerise and relax you, then this cottage is difficult to beat. Its our first stay at a National Trust site and another stay for us with Sykes and we are glad the accomodation lived up to it's expectation again. Walks in the grounds of the castle are plentiful and very varied with interesting quirks like the gas plant to visit. One comment to us from a local was that the area near the cottage used to stink of seaweed but that has been changed. We didnt notice any unpleasant smells. The castle cafe is priced up a bit, but as someone who worked in catering I can see there are more than the typical number of staff working there so it's well worth it. The cottage's kitchen was adequate for cooking a proper meal every day and all fixtures and fittings were almost new. After a terrible and busy first half of our year we arrived home in a much better frame of mind thanks to visiting this retreat

We had a glorious stay at the cottage everything was lovely however there was a couple of housekeeping issues.

On arrival there was a dirty we cloth on the dining room table and the hoover was left plugged in to the socket in the bedroom which really detracted from the overall appearance. We do realise the property is on a public footpath however if a simple sign stating the area in front of the cottage is for private use as with the sign at the rear it would make all the difference. We attempted to sit outside in the sunshine a few times but people were already there. Not great. Still a lovely stay.

Our stay at South Seganwell (Culzean Castle) was perfect from start to finish.

A beautiful little cottage right on the coastline, waking up to the gentle sounds of the Firth outside, the birdsong and opening the curtains to see the most stunning views. When the day visitors have left at 5 the whole estate is basically empty and yours to explore (save for a few other residents). My tips for anyone booking would be : pack a few camping chairs as there is no garden furniture; make sure your dog has been pre treated for ticks and take some tweezers to take them out each night (there are loads!); the coffee machine takes the large Dolce Gusto type capsules if you want to take some.

We had an amazing time at the cottage right on the shore-a different view every day and so many walks for us and the dogs.

Walled gardens, forest trails, a swan pond and an impressive castle. This is only 1 of the 8 cottages on offer on this estate so next year here we come! Derek

Love the refurbished cottage with no expense spared on decor.

Well done to the design team. Our 3rd visit. Extremely comfortable. Thank you.

A clean, well-appointed cottage with a gorgeous view to wake up to!

The kitchen has excellent crockery and cookware which was necessary as we cooked everyday. The beach walks are lovely and strolling the grounds after hours was a delight. Overall we enjoyed our stay very much with a few gripes: The furniture is more stylish than comfortable and the big lump of wood we were given scarcely fit in the fire, so take your own smaller pieces of firewood. We found the bedding far too hot and heavy and there is no cleaning equipment so the tiny entrance hall soon gets wet and muddy, which was a challenge with muddy boots and two dogs!

I had always wanted to stay here when I used to visit Culzean years ago and it did not disappoint.

The situation on the beach is just fabulous and we spent ages watching the wildlife, it was worth the steps back up to the car. We were lucky to be the one of the first to visit after a total renovation and they’ve done a great job, including new furniture and towels and some kitchen appliances had been replaced. The heating is good and we used the fire for atmosphere. Although it clearly states there is no WiFi in the cottage we did get good 4G signal and were able to make calls using WhatsApp etc

Wonderful holiday here at Segganwell as always.

Its a magical place and has many joyful memories for me spanning 46 years. Thanks to everyone at Culzean for another lovely visit and another big dose of happiness ☺️

So .

.... firstly loved the cottage , loved the location , loved the views and pretty much everything about it. If you want a relax looking at the acean ( wildlife is amazing). Walks around the area breathtaking best i experienced in a long time , short or long is didn't matter. Now the castle and gardens, execptional. Staff on site warm friendly ( was like bumping into old friends) cafe isn't expensive either.... Now my niggles. The steps to cottege are many but dont be put off you can stop and admire the veiws as you go just take your time. Shower is maybe on the small side as was the bed but both are well up to the job. Maybe be my only bug bare was couldn't actually find anybody who looked after the cottege, but staff around the castle stepped up to help( again staff around site brilliant). Will differently go back best getaway in a long time......

The views are fantastic.

Nothing can be done to make the footpath approach any easier and it is clearly stated in the property information. The castle grounds were beautiful and enjoyable along with the tour of the castle it's self. Not to mention the dolphins and birds. Overall an experience we loved.

Had a lovely stay here, very picturesque with the sea literally outside the front door.

Cottage itself was on the whole very clean and tidy. Could do with some patching up in places where the wallpaper is coming off. Downside are the insects which kept coming in, more so if it had been raining and cottage was damp, not sure what they were - jumping bristletails? The steps down to the cottage are doable bit quite a feat, especially when carrying your cases etc! On the whole though we enjoyed our stay. Oh Castle is wonderful and the cafe there is great.

This was the most wonderful cottage right on the seafront overlooking Arran in the distance.

It was so peaceful, especially on the summer evenings. Because you are aware of the 130 steps, you just time your comings and goings. I suffer from arthritis and have had surgery to my spine and yet the steps were not really an issue. However, as mentioned in previous reviews, the sofa sinks so low it is a nightmare getting out of. It just needs a firmer base which can be purchased online. Having said that, this was one of the loveliest cottages we have stayed at. The Culzean estate is stunning, and 'all' staff were wonderful. The Homefarm Kitchen was so good. The food and hospitality were equally superb. The estate and cafe are very dog-friendly. This was an ideal stay for relaxation and rest. Our resident heron came to the beach every evening too. A must visit!

This was our third stay at Segganwell and we have booked again for next year, which pretty much says it all.

Since our last stay the kitchen has been upgraded and now has a dishwasher and full size fridge freezer which was a bonus but as a result there is limited space for other groceries. We just love the cottage and location. Given it's a Scottish National Trust location you do get people passing by, sometimes looking in the windows or sitting on grass/bench outside when the site is open to the public, but this is to be expected.

This is our second stay at this cottage.

Absolutely love it. So peaceful and the surroundings are outstanding. Only one point to make (not a criticism). There IS a dishwasher at this property which is not mentioned in your listings. An added bonus for us as who wants to wash up on holiday. I'm sure future guests would appreciate knowing this.

Another lovely week at Segganwell.

Cosy little cottage that we have returned to many times. The cottage has everything you need for a relaxing break by the sea.

We loved it here .

Lovely and warm .Well equipped.Beautiful location .131 steps maybe a challenge for some people .Enjoyed being on the Culzean Estate for the different walks , the cafe and shops too

One of the most beautiful cottages I have stayed in, stunning location, a proper Jewel in Scottish National Trust Crown, thanks so much for an unforgettable week

Love it here .

Will always return . A few pointers May help to have a mat on entrance as gap under door means lot of sand hoppers get in on an evening and create quite the investation. A mattress topper would help for comfort on the bed . Also in winter to be provided with some wood for fire as the storage heaters don’t keep it very warm . Help to have a large frying pan in kitchen .

This was a lovely cottage very comfortable fantastic views the cottage itself is very comfortable had everything you needed for your stay

Couldn't work out how to put shower on and couldn't find instructions.

Also hot water in bathroom sink went cold very quickly. Couldn't find instructions for TV and struggled a bit with that. Couldn't work out how to switch heaters on/down/off. No-one on site to ask for help as far as I knew. Lovely little cottage and views, but very expensive per night especially for only one person.

The property was very clean and inviting, however we did not realize how much footfall would be going passed each day we found that it was quite intrusive as we were regularly getting people stopping directly outside the cottage looking through the window!

! Also going around the back to see the beautiful waterfall, at all times of day into the evening, we were looking for something a little bit more secluded and less intrusive. I think that it would be an idea to mention this in your listing for the cottage, that being said we still had a great time!!!

The location on the beach is fantastic but the cottage has quite a big downside: the 100 steps down was expected as was the amount of people walking past the front door.

However, we didn't expect them to be looking through the back kitchen window and exploring the area behind the cottage as well as out front. There is no gate or chain saying 'private' so people felt they could just go wherever they wanted. It was like being in a fish bowl. The cottage had no garden chairs to sit on so the only way we could enjoy the grassy area in front of the cottage was the hard bench. It was also the only place we could tie the dogs up in the sunshine. The bench was on the public grass so access was sometimes limited. Because there was no area to keep the dogs safe in a garden, it isn't really a dog friendly cottage. Inside the kitchen the fridge door was broken from the housing, the dining table was wobbly (which my husband fixed with a multi-tool he had with him) and there was no space in the cupboards for our food. We rearranged the crockery to make a bit of space and squeezed the rest on and around the microwave.

Property very clean apart from windows which were rather mucky which detracted from the wonderful view.

Also was unsure if the green grass area in front of the cottage was private use for cottage as people were tending to picnic there.

The Cottage was clean, comfortable and a pleasure to stay at.

only 2 minor items of maintenance that need to be looked at in the bathroom: the toilet seat is loose and the toilet roll holder is coming loose from the wall. We had a lovely peaceful and enjoyable stay at the cottage.

We had a wonderful week at Culzean Castle in South Segganwell Cottage.

We took our two dachshunds and they quickly settled in. Although it’s 100 steps down from the car park we only went back up them a couple of times during the whole week. We mainly walked along the beach and upwards past the gas house to the castle or North along the beach towards Dunure. The castle grounds are excellent, and take time to go inside Culzean Castle itself, the guides are really friendly and are well informed about the history of the place. Segganwell cottage was perfect, beautifully clean and very warm. Lots of towels and a comfy bed. You will need to take more loo rolls if staying for more than a couple of days but everything else is there including some great smelling shower gels and shampoos. Also there is a hairdryer provided. We took some spare towels and blankets for the dogs and be aware that when it rains the water creeps under the front door so have an old towel ready. The sea views are amazing, it was so lovely to wake up to the waves splashing on the shore. Everyday we saw different wildlife including ducks, a resident swan and a blue heron. The weather was great even when it rained we still got out and enjoyed the walks and the fantastic scenery. We definitely recommend this place for a quiet getaway.

Lovely place, in a lovely spot and the views are fab.

The bed is so comfy, everything you need in the kitchen (no washing machine), comfy sitting room (settee maybe low for some), bathroom is small but has lots of hot water; lots of towels including huge bath towel and dining table with great views. If it rains it rains in the front door (it's an old door and you just put a towel down) no big deal. There are so many different birds to watch on the shore and Lovely walks around the castle and shore line.

We've been visiting Segganwell for years and absolutely love it.

The cottages are well maintained and well equipped and in such a beautiful spot. Always lovely and cosy.

We had another perfect stay as we have also had in past.

Disappointed to find on arrival the grass at bench in front of house covered in dog poo.(not that this is your fault) the kind lady next door lifted it with her dog poo bags when she arrived.) The front door was letting in rainwater and could perhaps have a better seal on it. This didn't bother us and will return. Fantastic property and location.

Fantastic location and excellent property, well maintained and managed.

The Culzean estate in which it insists is incredible and is made extra special as staying at the cottage allows access to walk and enjoy the whole estate. We had a magical week and would love to return.

We absolutely LOVED staying at South Segganwell.

That view is unparalleled! We loved having access to the country park too and really enjoyed the walks with the dog, especially having out own 'private' beach! It's a shame the fire wasn't working, but the heating worked brilliantly and we weren't cold. The shower head rail/riser was broken - it kept coming away from the wall, which has obviously happened when people try to open the door with it lowered. It needs changing to the other side of the shower box! But we were able to make it stay in place enough to shower. We would've liked an outdoor light, as it was super dark letting the dog out at night. Glad we'd taken torches! One request would be to have had a couple of larger bowls for pasta-type food, perhaps?? (But that's just a picky thing). Other than those things, we loved it and would deffo go back. Thank you.

Yet again a lovely, relaxing stay at Culzean.

Disappointed we couldn’t use the wood burner, it needed a new part but that didn’t spoil the holiday. The weather was amazing

For dog owners and people who love to walk, this is the perfect holiday, our dog certainly didn't want to leave, and we could have easily stayed another week.

We will be back. Culzane is an amazing place with lovely people.

Beautiful views.

Comfortable cottage. However, In front of the cottage is a thoroughfare for walkers - there was a constant stream of people walking past the cottage window - or picnicking on bench/ front garden area - It wasn’t quite the quiet peaceful weekend we had hoped for.

Love this little cottage by the sea.

A little taste of paradise. So cosy with great views from inside and out. Can't wait to go back.

100 steps understood but not great.

didnt realise a door separates both properties to share both cottages. didnt appreciate hoover in small dbl room needed us to clean it and also collect all laundry to put in laundry bags. great location. public walked past at close proximity. expensive. I stayed in the castle for less. As a NTS member disappointed.

Wonderful location great for the dogs but would recommend carrying light baggage due to the number of steps, however cottage was perfect us and the dogs we would definitely stay again.

We had a fabulous stay at South Segganwell, it was perfect and we will definitely be back.

A couple of maintenance issues were dealt with quickly and all the NT staff and volunteers were very friendly. As Culzean Castle and the beach are visitor attractions there are people about and sometimes parked in the cottage spaces, however all the people we chatted to were lovely and there is an abundance of parking so no problem for us.

We had a wonderful stay in the cottege.

Location is fabulous (if you can manage the steps) Lovely bed and bedding and everything clean throughout. Some great walks around the grounds and the castle. We had a problem with people parking in our allocated space - due to a lack of signage on the actual spaces. Also we had people wandering around the building - due to a lack of signage. A gate across the rear path would help. Given these issues we would return and hope that the NTS put these right as there have been many people make the same comments.

This has been the 5th time we have stayed at Segganwell South, but first since the renovations, and we were very impressed.

...just a pity a week was not long enough, (but that is not your fault). We would however like to make two observations - the first involves the parking - it should be signed more clearly that the 2 spaces are reserved for the cottages. Although there is a sign, it is easily missed. Each time we have stayed, there has always been someone who has not seen or ignored the sign. On one occasion, a motor home occupied the whole space and would not move even when politely asked - this made it even more difficult for us to unpack as we had to park a distance away. Perhaps a chain with the same key combination as the house? The second point is less important, but we feel that out of season visits there could be provision for some logs to be made available. Thank you. Bernard

The cottage was excellent , and the position so close to the sea was ideal , the only let down was people from the park using the back garden of the cottage as a quick loo stop, not a nice thing to see out the back window , the owners were really good to act by putting soft signs up but better signs needed and a small gate put in place , i know it wont fully eliminate the hazard/offenders but will definitely make a difference , all in all a really good holiday and a well positioned cottage for a dog holiday .

We loved our stay at the cottage.

The view was beautiful and customer service was excellent. Just loved Katrina and Tom at the castle.

Dissapointed parking was not reserved for the cottage at all times.

Toilet seat not secure. Wall paper coming off the ceiling. No firewood for fire or coal just for a starter fire. No washing facilities for clothes. We enjoyed the walks around the grounds and beaches of Culzean and the walled garden . The soup in the cafe was delicious . All in all we enjoyed our holiday and will come again.

A beautiful cottage in a wonderful location.

Very peaceful, comfortable and well equipped. Only complaint we did not like lots of people walking past our holiday cottage and glaring through our windows as it was a violation of our privacy. Would be better if that little bit in front of our cottage was gated off so we were not frequently disturbed. Other than that it was perfect.

The cottage is in lovely location (as long as you can manage 120+ steps to access).

The views are excellent and being located in Culzean Country Park gives ready access to lovely gardens, a beautiful castle and fabulous coastline. The cottage has been refurbished very well and given the size it is very well appointed. The accommodation is reduced now that bunk beds are removed. This means that families will probably not be able to go there. This is a pity as the cottages were ideal for children. However, I would still recommend!

Beautiful cottage in a very beautiful location.

Only grumbles we had was; Lack of storage space in kitchen, another wall unit wouldn't have gone amiss. Would've preferred a washing machine to a dishwasher (and why equip us with an iron when there's no washing machine??). During our stay we had a couple of passersby peer through the window startling us! (And them) Maybe a sign pointing out the cottages are privately rented and to respect the privacy of the people inside? Apart from the grumbles, was a perfect holiday and will highly recommend to friends and family

The cottage itself is amazing.

It has everything we needed and was furnished to a very high standard I would thoroughly recommend the cottage. I did however have a problem with the public. I was not made aware it was on a public thoroughfare. We had people having a picnic on what I was told was our lawn. People looking through the windows round the back when I was cooking and we even had a guy come in the open front door and ask for the loo!! If there was a gated area for the cottages or even signs saying private I would have enjoyed it more. We found ourselves with the door locked and curtains shut between 11 and 5 and after that time we found the solitude we came for. Changes need to be made before I recommend the cottage. Other than that you are doing everything right and I would have loved to return however it tarnished it a bit.

Lovely little Cottage.

Nicely decorated. Comfy bed. Maybe a few complimentary logs and kindling, especially as they have a massive amount of land covered in trees. Kitchen is good considering the size but maybe a shelf above the sink for a little extra food storage. The utensils were fine though no tin or bottle opener and the heavy frying pan supplied isn't very energy efficient on an electric hob and a couple of fold away chairs to sit outside. Loads of DVDs in the TV unit but no DVD player.? Check out time could be a little later say 11 am especially when they ask you to strip the beds.. I think a tadge expensive also. All said and done, fantastic location for walks and peace and quiet.

Overall, a little disappointed with our stay at South Segganwell.

You cannot deny the beauty of the surrounding area and views from the cottage but there were more than a few issues, which left us feeling somewhat disappointed for what we paid. The cottage was clean and bed was comfortable, however we were not keen on the bedding/sheet, the quilt didn't fit the cover/sheet and it just got a bit annoying after a couple of nights. Quite fussy, I know, but its the little things that really do make your stay special and cozy. We actually had a bit of a rejig of the furniture in the lounge because there was a big chair in front of the window with its back to the amazing views outside. Therefore we placed the dining table in the window bay so we could enjoy the views while we ate our meals. Just be aware that there is people constantly walking past the cottage and looking in, so if that bothers I wouldn't recommend. The only way you can get any privacy at the cottage is to keep the bottom shutters closed, but that blocks out a lot of light. There were a few facilities listed that were not present/inaccurate that let the cottage down... There was no DVD player, despite us specifically checking with Sykes about this, prior to our holiday and it being advertised on the property description. We spent money and time selecting some dvds prior to our holiday, so this was very disappointing. We did contact Sykes about it while we were there but it took them a few days to reply, towards the end of our stay, by which time it was too late, and the issue was never resolved, nor were we contacted by the owners about this. The cottage description advertises a 'private lawn', however this was not private, with the general public having their own picnics etc right outside your front door. Nor was there a 'patio garden', or 'garden', as advertised. Some other side issues were there being some basic but essential items missing from the cottage such as tin opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, things like that. These little things all just added to our frustrations. Most self catering cottages we've stayed in through Sykes have basic items such as salt, pepper, cooking oil, toilet roll, maybe a pint of milk to get you started, however these were not present. So a note to future holiday makers at the cottage, you need to take absolutely everything with you! There was also no fuel for the open fire, which I think is a bit silly to advertise an 'open fire', without even providing a few logs to get you started. There was a bit of a fly/insect issue in the kitchen so I think the cottage would really benefit from a fly screen, particularly in the kitchen. I know a lot of this sounds really picky but little things like, salt and pepper, a tin opener, cozy & comfortable bedsheets, really do go a long way! And if I knew all of the above before I'd stayed at the cottage. I would have come a lot more well prepared. The cottage location is undeniabley beautiful but we sometimes felt a bit 'on show' with passers by, dog walkers etc. A couple of times when we were sat on the lawn in front of the cottage, dogs ran in the cottage and a couple of people even thought the cottage was public toilets. Maybe a clear sign, letting the public know that it is 'private property and to respect the privacy of the residents' would go a really long way!? And just another little side not to future holidaymakers, we had no problem getting a phone signal at SS, which was useful. I don't think we'll be heading back to South Segganwell anytime soon unfortunately.

With such a lovely setting, how could just simple things be forgotten?

A bottle opener/corkscrew, adequate cooking utensils, a dustpan and brush. The wall paper is peeling away from the living room ceiling and the toilet seat was loose. We agree with previous comments about the totally inadequate shower. It would have been nice to see photos and information about the history of the cottage and information about the locality and relationship to Culzean. The guest info book is sparse and out of date referring to 4 beds and the cheese grater and milk pan were dirty. I was quite shocked to be honest that this was a National Trust property.

The cottage was in a good clean condition with everything we needed.

The shower design was too high for shorter people, but the shower itself was fine. It is not a suitable cottage for anyone with a disability as there are many steps onto the shore. But, the views were outstanding and it is very private. Great for walking and exploring the surrounding region.

An idyllic stay in what felt like a desert island, with the added advantage of access to the beautiful grounds of a National Trust for Scotland castle.

What's not to like? (maybe the 125 steps to get down to the cottage).

Our 5th stay at the Segganwell cottages over a 20 year period.

As ever the location is one of the most spectacular and special we have ever encountered. The cottages have recently had new kitchens and bathrooms installed which are great. However, the kitchen did have absolutely no space to put food other than in the fridge, and the selection of crockery was not great. Also, for those who have travelled a fair distance and arrive late in the evening it would be good if there were a couple of firelighters and a few logs to get you going on a cold evening without having to go out again. We visited the cottage before children, 3 times with young children and on this occasion with older teenagers when we booked both cottages. It is the most amazing location and experience for children, our children have fantastic memories of Culzean, as do the children of friends we have stayed there with. Flicking through the visitors book we are not the only people to have had this experience, it is full of repeat visitors and children with wonderful memories. My point here is why have you removed the bunk beds ? Children can no longer visit and experience the wonders of these glorious cottages. As I said earlier we stayed as a couple before children and having bunk beds in the alcove was absolutely not an issue.

Wonderful location and really comfortable accommodation - one of my best ever holidays.

Would have appreciated more information about the local area and a bird identification book by the window would make a great addition. Could also benefit from having a sign to identify it as private as with it being in the castle grounds passers by seemed to think it was ok to have a good look through the window which felt a little intrusive at times and I could imagine being a real problem at busier times of the year.

A very peaceful and relaxing couple of days @ South Seggenwell Cottage.

An earlier check-in time during the Winter / "dark" months would be welcome. We were fortunate be able to check-in @ 15.0 - by 16.0 (the standard check-in time) it was dark and wouldn't like to negotiate the steps down to the cottage (carrying luggage & provisions) in poor light. That aside, a very good break and would highly recommend.

Agree With the suggestion that you offer to provide wood for the wood burner.

Also agree that the showerhead needs looking at – you can’t change the height and that is bad if you are taller than 5 foot! Location absolutely stunning Number of emails from Sykes rather too many given it was only a two night stay!

We have been visiting Segganwell, both North and South, for over 30 years.

We had a great time as always, our third stay !

I would suggest that the shower needs some attention, you cant adjust the height of the shower head. I would also suggest the possibility of a 'Wood Pack' at an additional extra cost, fire lighters , kindling and some logs for the wood burner. i think this is something most people would happily pay for.

Excellent location (allowing for the 100+ steps to access the cottage) Facilities of the cottage generally good but felt the Bathroom needs modernising sooner rather than later

Cottage was spotlessly clean.

Thank you. Good basic cooking facilities. Comfortable bed but very uncomfortable seating in lounge! Great views and absolutely Culzean was a great place for a break. we went nowhere else as there was so much to see and we walked for miles each day in the grounds. Please note this cottage is advertised only for 2 people but there are bunk beds in the bedroom as well as a cot and double bed. It would be ideal for a wee family. So much for wee ones to do.

Beautiful holiday location The details mentioned that fuel including firewood would be provided but there was none available.

I know it was May but it was cool enough to light the log burner (the cottage was warm enough with the heating but the place was advertised with a log burner so would expect to use it)