In the heart of County Down, Knocknamorney Cottage offers a serene retreat amidst 20 acres of lush gardens and woodland. Explore historic sites, beaches, and National Trust properties nearby or relax in the garden setting with geese, chickens, sheep and goats as your companions.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire cottage to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
The Gardener's Cottage
A charming little stone cottage set in 20 acres of stunning gardens and woodland in County Down. Explore the garden setting of this cosy stone cottage amid the gentle bustle of a working smallholding with geese, chickens, sheep, goats and even the occasional peacock.
Many historic and prehistoric sites nearby including filming locations of the Game of Thrones. Close to beaches and hill walking, National Trust properties and, though a rural location, close enough to Belfast to access the city. The space This cosy cottage sits in the lush gardens and yard of Knocknamorney house. Originally a spiritual retreat, rumour has it that the cottage was built for the Dalai Lama when he visited Northern Ireland. It has its own front door, a bedroom, shower room with separate dressing room and a small kitchen. It is located in the yard that is shared with the main house. It also has a private parking space.
Fully furnished kitchen with oven/hob, fridge freezer, microwave, dining table seating for 2.
Dressing room with shower room.
Bedroom with double bed with wall mounted digital TV with freeview.
**Please note there is no lounge space in the property.
There is a laundrette in saintfield village and there is a washing machine in the main house that can be used by arrangement. There is a drying area to the rear of the cottage. Guest access The cottage is located in 20 acres of pleasure gardens which include a fire pit, allotment, arboretum, a maze and a many other exciting outdoor spaces.
You are welcome to explore the gardens at your leisure. We even have an old Irish cottage ruin! Other things to note Bring your horse along on holiday! We have paddocks and stabling if you need it. Get in touch and we can cater for all your equestrian needs.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Entertainment
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
In a village
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the area
Located in Ballynahinch, this cottage is in a rural area. Temple Golf and Country Club and Farmageddon Brewing Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Titanic Belfast and Ulster Museum. Travelling with kids? Consider Down Arts Centre, or check out an event or a game at Ravenhill Stadium. Visit our Ballynahinch travel guide
Located in a rural location, this family-friendly cottage is within 9 mi (15 km) of Temple Golf and Country Club, Montalto Estate and Strangford and Lecale. Lagan Valley and Farmageddon Brewing Company are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
The Gardener's Cottage Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
My friend and I had a lovely stay. The hosts were super kind and friendly. All the animals were super nice. And the cottage was very cute and quaint. We loved walking around Saintfield and trying all the local shops! We would definitely stay here again!
Wonderful little jewel in the country! A great place to enjoy some quiet time surrounded by the animals on the farm. Peaceful walks through the trees….so relaxing.
Stonewall B.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Jonathan
1 Apr 2026
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in
We had problems finding the property - the phone satnav directed us to Ballynahinch Water Treatment Works, but the host responded quickly to our email by phone, and gave us better directions. She left a light on at the property, and the key in the door.Gardeners Cottage exudes charm and character...and will be lovely in the summer. The underfloor heating is insufficient. Upon arrival, the overpowering smell of bleach was hard to stand. The place was cold and damp, and the plug in radiator had made little impression. Sadly, there was mould on the walls, in the bathroom and kitchen cupboards. Cobwebs and dirt were in evidence. Maintenance is required to replace the broken skylight, repaint the windows and see to the electrics. What was obviously set up as a pleasant space requires some TLC. The cold tap in the bathroom is not attached to the sink. The kettle leaked through the switch, so we used the microwave to heat water for drinks. The WiFi was paused before 10pm, which made research online difficult. There was no welcome pack, and no interaction with the hosts. Another easy chair would be good in the bedroom. The supermarket in Saintfield was wonderful.
I absolutely loved my stay here at the cottage. It was close enough to drive into Belfast to explore the city while also being a quiet and peaceful getaway in the countryside. There were a couple days of heavy rain while I was here but it didn’t even bother me since the cottage was such a lovely place to stay for a cozy day in. There is a grocery store 3 minutes away by car and the kitchen is well stocked with everything that you’ll need for cooking your meals.The only hiccup I had was that it was a little bit hard to find upon arrival. There’s a tiny road off of the main road that you have to follow for a ways in order to see the property. I had to contact the host to clarify, but she responded quickly and once I had that information, the cottage was easy to find. Overall I loved it here and would definitely come back again.