Sandpipers

Sandpipers works well for families of four or couples wanting their own space by the sea. The apartment is on one level, all ground floor, so there are no stairs to negotiate. Two bedrooms sleep four: one has a king bed, the other two singles. The single bathroom has a bath with shower, and heating keeps things warm year-round. Electricity, bed linen, towels and wifi are included; there's parking for two cars on site and a welcome pack when you arrive.

The heart of the place is an open-plan living and dining area that opens directly onto a garden with seating. A decent kitchen has an electric oven and hob, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine, so you can cook proper meals or do laundry without fuss. Windows frame views across the village and towards the sea. One step gets you in from the front garden.

Portpatrick is a small working village on the Dumfries and Galloway coast; The Portpatrick Hotel is nearby if you want to eat out. It's the kind of place where you can walk around a quiet community rather than a holiday resort. Smoking is not permitted inside.