Erriff at Caerlaverock Estate

Erriff at Caerlaverock Estate works well for larger families or groups wanting to spread out across five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The whole property is yours alone, with one well-behaved dog welcome at no extra cost. The house overlooks the River Nith estuary from Glencaple, a small village on the Dumfries and Galloway coast, and the views feature in most rooms—the dining table faces the water, as does the living room, where a wood burner keeps things warm on cooler days and French doors open onto a covered veranda.

The kitchen is equipped for cooking proper meals rather than holiday shortcuts. Upstairs, each bedroom offers a different angle on the landscape, and the bathrooms include roll-top baths for soaking after a day out. The enclosed garden and patio give you outdoor space without the open-to-the-world feeling. Wi-Fi, electricity, bed linen and towels are all included; smoking is not permitted indoors.

Glencaple's quayside holds a restaurant and shop within easy reach, and the Caerlaverock Wetland Centre and castle are a short drive away. The broader region has hill walks, mountain biking trails, the darkest skies in the country for stargazing, over 200 miles of coastline with beaches and coves, and market towns like Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas worth exploring. The nearest beach is 20 miles south.