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North Firbank - Culzean Castle, Maybole

Guest Rating
Rating
4.8
out of 5
Sleeps up to 4
Pets 1
Bedrooms: 2

North Firbank sits within the grounds of the Culzean Castle Estate in Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland. This is a self-catering lodge holiday on one of Scotland's most celebrated National Trust estates, overlooking the Firth of Clyde. The setting alone makes this worth booking.

The estate covers over 600 acres of woodland, cliff-top paths and formal gardens. You can walk to the castle, explore the walled garden and watch the sun set over Arran from the clifftops. It's a genuinely special location with real history on the doorstep.

North Firbank offers comfortable self-catering accommodation within the estate. The lodge sleeps a small group and is well-equipped for a relaxing stay.

 

About North Firbank - Culzean Castle

North Firbank sits within the grounds of the Culzean Castle Estate in Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland. This is a self-catering lodge holiday on one of Scotland's most celebrated National Trust estates, overlooking the Firth of Clyde. The setting alone makes this worth booking.

The estate covers over 600 acres of woodland, cliff-top paths and formal gardens. You can walk to the castle, explore the walled garden and watch the sun set over Arran from the clifftops. It's a genuinely special location with real history on the doorstep.

North Firbank offers comfortable self-catering accommodation within the estate. The lodge sleeps a small group and is well-equipped for a relaxing stay. Specific lodge names and sleeping capacities should be confirmed directly with the operator.

Culzean Castle is 1 mile away. Ayr town centre is 12 miles (20 mins). The Electric Brae optical illusion road is 4 miles. Turnberry Golf Course is 8 miles (15 mins).

North Firbank at Culzean Castle suits couples and families who want outstanding coastal scenery and estate walks right outside the door. Book for the location.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at North Firbank

Culzean Castle Estate

The lodge sits within the 600-acre Culzean Castle Estate giving guests direct access to castle grounds woodland and clifftop walks.

Coastal Views

The estate sits on the Ayrshire coast with sweeping views across the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran.

Estate Walking Trails

Miles of marked trails run through the estate woodland and along the clifftops directly from the property.

Walled Garden

The Victorian walled garden on the estate is open to guests and is one of the finest restored gardens in Scotland.

Wildlife on the Doorstep

Red squirrels deer and seabirds are regularly spotted across the estate making it ideal for nature lovers.

Peaceful Rural Setting

The estate location means minimal traffic and noise giving guests a genuinely quiet and restorative stay in Ayrshire.

Getting To North Firbank

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach North Firbank at Culzean Castle by car, take the A77 south from Ayr and follow signs for Culzean Castle near Kirkoswald. The estate entrance is well signposted and the postcode KA19 8LE will take you to the main gate.

By Train

The nearest station is Maybole, approximately 4 miles from the estate, with regular services from Ayr and Glasgow Central. A taxi from Maybole station to the estate takes around 10 minutes.

On-site estate parking available
Maybole station (approx. 4 miles)
Accessible from the A77 near Kirkoswald

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Culzean Castle & Country Park
Distance: Within estate grounds
KA19 8LE
Electric Brae (optical illusion road)
Distance: 4 miles
KA19 8HX
Turnberry Golf Course
Distance: 8 miles
KA26 9LT
Culzean Clifftop Trail
Distance: Within estate
KA19 8LE
Culzean Country Park Woodland Walks
Distance: Within estate
KA19 8LE
Maidens to Turnberry Coastal Path
Distance: 5 miles
KA26 9LT
Maybole Town Centre
Distance: 4 miles
KA19 7DD
Ayr Town Centre
Distance: 12 miles
KA7 1UT
Girvan High Street
Distance: 10 miles
KA26 9HH
Ayr Bus & Rail Station
Distance: 12 miles
KA8 8AS
Maybole Railway Station
Distance: 4 miles
KA19 7BX
A77 main road (Glasgow to Stranraer)
Distance: 1 mile
KA19 8LE
Culzean Castle & Country Park
Distance: Within estate grounds
KA19 8LE
Electric Brae (optical illusion road)
Distance: 4 miles
KA19 8HX
Turnberry Golf Course
Distance: 8 miles
KA26 9LT
Culzean Clifftop Trail
Distance: Within estate
KA19 8LE
Culzean Country Park Woodland Walks
Distance: Within estate
KA19 8LE
Maidens to Turnberry Coastal Path
Distance: 5 miles
KA26 9LT
Maybole Town Centre
Distance: 4 miles
KA19 7DD
Ayr Town Centre
Distance: 12 miles
KA7 1UT
Girvan High Street
Distance: 10 miles
KA26 9HH
Ayr Bus & Rail Station
Distance: 12 miles
KA8 8AS
Maybole Railway Station
Distance: 4 miles
KA19 7BX
A77 main road (Glasgow to Stranraer)
Distance: 1 mile
KA19 8LE

Is North Firbank Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
The Culzean Castle Estate has 600 acres of woodland, beaches and trails to explore. Kids can visit the castle, spot red squirrels and deer and walk the clifftop paths above the Firth of Clyde. The adventure playground within the country park is a firm favourite with younger guests.
Pet Friendly
Pet policy for North Firbank should be confirmed directly with the operator before booking. The Culzean Castle Estate has extensive grounds but the National Trust for Scotland has rules around dogs in certain areas. Always check current restrictions before travelling with a pet.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at North Firbank

The Culzean Castle Tearoom

Located Within estate grounds from your accommodation.

Postcode: KA19 8LE

The Turnberry Hotel Bar & Grill

Located 8 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: KA26 9LT

The Ladywell Inn, Maybole

Located 4 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: KA19 7BX

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about North Firbank

Does this lodge have a hot tub?
No, North Firbank at Culzean Castle does not have a hot tub. Guests looking for hot tub accommodation should check alternative lodges on the estate or nearby in Ayrshire.
Is it pet friendly?
Pet policy for North Firbank should be confirmed directly with the operator before booking. The estate grounds are extensive but there may be restrictions near the castle and formal gardens.
Where exactly is North Firbank located?
North Firbank is located within the Culzean Castle Estate in Ayrshire, Scotland, with the postcode KA19 8LE. The estate sits on the Ayrshire coast overlooking the Firth of Clyde.
How far is Culzean Castle from the lodge?
Culzean Castle itself is within the estate grounds approximately 1 mile from the lodge. Guests can walk to the castle directly through the estate woodland.
Is there parking at the property?
Parking details should be confirmed with the operator but the estate has car parking facilities on site. Guests are advised to check specific arrangements when booking.
What is the nearest town to North Firbank?
Maybole is the nearest small town at approximately 4 miles away. Ayr is the nearest large town at around 12 miles offering supermarkets, shops and restaurants.
What is the nearest train station?
Maybole railway station is the closest at approximately 4 miles from the estate. Trains run from Maybole to Ayr and Glasgow giving good rail connections for those travelling without a car.
Is Culzean Castle open to visitors?
Culzean Castle is managed by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to visitors seasonally. Guests staying on the estate should check current opening times directly with the National Trust for Scotland.

North Firbank - Culzean Castle Reviews

Harriet
Lovely property with everything you need. Had a wonderful sunny weekend stay! Just beware the steps behind the door down into the kitchen might be useful to put a sign on the door to warn guests about the steps.
This was our second stay and we enjoyed it even more than the first time. Really pleased the shower has been updated as that was the only disappointment last year. It was like doggy Disneyland for our dog on site and on the beaches in walking distance. Good base to visit other places like Dean Castle country park. Galloway forest park and Loch Doon. And when you dont fancy going anywhere you have 600 acres to explore on site. I think I ate my body weight in empire biscuits from the cafe. Of a night time you hear owls hooting and the pheasants let you know they are awake of a morning. We will be looking to book again in a couple of years time.
Had a great time in the cottage it was perfect. Amazing setting. Only thing I would criticise is the back garden needs a bit of TLC especially for the price I paid. Not completely secure for dogs.
Had a fantastic stay at Culzean Castle and could easily have stayed another week. Our initial impression was that the cottage was a little plain, but it was comfortable and became a real home from home. Super comfortable beds, good water pressure for the shower, well equipped and a lovely area to be in. Would definitely stay again
Selena
We have really loved everything about our stay at north firbank cottage its perfect for families and dogs. The grounds of Culzean are amazing to explore and we even spotted Seals on the beach! There were no negatives its been a perfect stay. The children loved the beach and adventure playground. The cafe is dog friendly and does delicious food. We found the booking and instructions easy really would recommend and hope to return!
Thomas
Great place to go on holiday, very calm and peaceful. Plenty to see in South Ayrshire.
Katherine
Had a brilliant few days here despite wind and rain! Just a 510 minute walk to Maidens beach and 1520 minute walk to Culzean Castle. Very clean home and comfortable. Lovely to have a Tassimo coffee machine and complimentary coffee pods. The only point Id raise is the kitchen door leading to outdoor space was ill fitting there were high winds and heavy rain during our stay and there were pools of water on the kitchen floor which we had to mop up with towels. The kitchen was cold on the windy days as the howling cold wind came through the gaps in the door fitting. This did not spoil our stay and we would stay again without hesitation just mentioning so that NTS can carry out necessary repairs.
Loved my stay at Firbank cottage, immaculately clean and all essentials you ... Loved my stay at Firbank cottage, immaculately clean and all essentials you would need in the kitchen to cook up your meals x
To be able to stay in the grounds of Culzean Castle was a dream come true for me. The cottage was exactly as described with everything in the kitchen you could possibly want for a short stay. It was very clean and the key process was very easy. My only issue was that when I contacted Sykes about a small query I had, firstly, I waited over 30 minutes on the phone and then secondly, the person I spoke to was very rude, didnot understand my question and was very unhelpful so I gave up with my query. Would definitely now hesitate to book with Sykes again.
Excellent location and amenities. The cottage is very well appointed and comfortable. The addition of a lock on the bathroom door and a rail hooks to hang wet towels would make the accommodation absolutely perfect.
Giselle
We had a great week at North Firbank. It was peaceful, private & the grounds at Culzean are beautiful. The house is simply furnished but has everything you would need. It was warm with good beds, good shower, well equipped kitchen & safe garden for the dog. 5 minute walk to a beautiful beach, the weather was tricky but it didnt matter. Hope to return.
Beautiful place to stay. So comfortable.
We had a fabulous stay in North Firbank thank you. The whole process .of booking, staying and leaving has been straight forward and the house was beautiful. As dog owners, it was wonderful to have the extensive fenced garden. The surroundings were also secondtonone. Culzean Castle and the Country Park were amazing and every member of staff we came into contact with was friendly and helpful. Full marks we would definitely recommend this property.
Generally very good. Everything worked in both kitchen and bathroom. Bedroom comfortable. Some very minor imperfections Towel rail in the dining kitchen miles away from the kitchen area. Only 1 tea towel and only one cloth no floor cloth for minor spills just a mop. Bathroom given lots of towels no towel rail and only one hook to hang stuff on. Nice bathroom cabinet but no where to put stuff once out of the cabinet so perpetually opening and closing the cabinet. Bath seemed to have dropped and bath side not fitted correctly.
Steven
This cottage is simple, but clean and well equipped especially in the kitchen, and its in a great location, convenient to walk to the beach, trails, swan pond and the rest of Culzean Castle, and beyond that the rest of Ayrshire and the coast. We would rent again.
Dorothy
Had a lovely stay at Firbank. Out first stay there but not in a NTS property. As previous reviews have said, definitely seatingtable outside the kitchen door. The steps down to the grass level are steep and with no handrail dangerous. Can totally understand why folk wont venture down which is a shame. The beds are definitely NOT the comfiest! We like a firm mattress but this was like a brick! Water scalding hot so need to be aware especially for children. Otherwise a lovely comfortable cottage with enclosed garden close to the beach and in idilyic location. We had an issue with the shower on arrival but was replaced the next day without any problems at all.
Wonderful stay at North Firbank. Lots of beautiful walks around the Culzean estate, the cottage is handy for the beach too. The cottage location is pretty quiet with a few people passing by for the beach & walks but no vehicular access, it was busier when the overflow car park at front of cottage was in use.but otherwise it was NT staff we saw who were all friendly and helpful. The cottage is well equipped and had a welcoming feel, we used our own camping chairs on the area by kitchen door, the steps to lawn were a little steep with no handrail and the views were better from the top patio from where we saw roe deer and other wildlife. The gardeners were busy during day hours managing trees & borders on the estate and cutting the grass on overflow field and North Firbank lawn, the noise was intermittent and grass cutting literally took 5 mins. Theres so much to do around the cottage you dont need to leave the estate, however we had a lovely evening in Dunure looking at castle, harbour and anchor inn for lovely meal and hospitality! We wish the cottage could accommodate more people so we could return with family!
We had an amazing stay in North Firbank at Culzean Castle and will be returning. The cottage was as advertised and very comfortable. There was a good sized secure garden. A couple of doorstops for the living room and kitchen door would be good and the only real negative was that the shower wasnt the best with quite low pressure. As for the site it sits on, that was fabulous. There is a beach 5 minutes walk from the cottage which even at high tide is good for a morning stroll. Then there are the 600 acres of the site with miles of paths to explore. The cafe also has a good range of food and snacks and we enjoyed the view of the sea and Arran from the picnic tables behind while we ate. We could have easily spent the whole week on site and never gone anywhere else.
Really enjoyed our stay at North Firbank. The cottage was clean, comfortable and had all that we needed for our stay. We will have to return to see the rest of the Estate as there was so many walks and paths to follow. I would suggest a door mat at the back door as with the dog we used this the most. We could have moved the front door one. We hope to return, thanks again for the offer of the extra night due to storm Eowyn even though we did not take up the offer. Yours sincerely Alex Campbell
Sharon
Just back from a lovely week at North Firbank. The cottage had everything we needed and more. Such a nice and relaxing cottage, we would quite happily move in there to live One thing which would be a bonus is a bench or seating near the kitchen door. Ive a bad knee and didnt want to risk the steps down to the bench on the grass area. Even though it was December it was mild enough to have a morning coffee outside. We will no doubt stay again.
This is a lovely place to stay and you are welllooked after by the NTS team. However, we do wonder about value for money as it is very pricey for somewhere so basic. But none of that would stop us from coming here again. We had to run the dishwasher twice a day many days because of the shortage of crockery and cutlery. The bedding is definitely on the cheap side and neither the duvet nor the sheet really fits the bed. And a few door stops would be really appreciated as we had to invent ways to stop all the doors from closing themselves all the time.
Pauline
We were more than happy with the cottage. It was very comfortable and spacious. We loved the garden too and it was safe for our dog to explore too which she loved. The access to the castle grounds and the beach at the end of the lane made this a wonderful experience. Thank you!
Victor
The concrete steps down to the sunken garden lawn are dangerous and require a handrail. Clients should be advised that ticks are about due to the presence of deer in the woods, as well as in the deer park. personal experience. The weeds outside the property were killed but not removed, and were coming back to life. No instructions about coffee machine.
Joanna
The cottage's location is amazing, a short walk from the beach and right in the forest with lots of wildlife. Some nice walks in the area. The garden is secure so good for dogs, but the floors are rather slippery so dog owners might want to bring some anti slip vet beds or the like, the steps to the garden are also very steep but it can be accessed from the back. Doorstops would be amazing. The only thing that really annoyed me was people coming to cut the grass twice during our stay with zero warning meaning we couldnt enjoy the garden or the cottage with people right there. We left a day early due to this as couldnt really relax not knowing whether someone will just walk in!
Jennie
Fantastic stay, incredible location and the cottage itself is clean, well appointed and feels very fresh. The directions to the property were clear and we found the place very easily. We felt a couple of things could be added a bath mat especially useful for young children and door stops.
Lovely cottage in a perfect location. Very peaceful and with everything you would need.
Lovely cottage in a wonderful location and with not one, but two fenced gardens for the dog, and neither of them were wet and muddy!
This is our second New Year at North Firbank. Fantastic cottage.
Lesley
Ideal location for children with play area and beach within short walking distance. Windows difficult to open and main bedroom door difficult to close new carpet?. The bathroom would benefit from a makeover!
We have had a lovely holiday on the Culzean Castle estate. The Farm Cafe was excellent, as was the Farm Shop! We enjoyed staying at a Scottish National Trust property and visiting the local community. Great to be so near the sea and immersed in nature.
Hedeer
The property was good but it was expensive but unfortunate the weather was against us. The water in the shower was very low and it stops a couple of times around 5pm. A scouring pad would it be useful to clean the pans.
Lovely holiday
Nicola
I cannot recommend this cottage highly enough. It is very well appointed with good quality beds and linens. The whole place was spotless. The real value though is its position. The beach is a few minutes walk, the cafe, pond and play park are on your doorstep. If you have a dog, its just wonderful as there is so much safe space for them to run in. The garden is also completely enclosed so you can relax knowing your dog cant come to any trouble. I will definitely be returning. The only suggestion I would have is that the owners should add a handrail to the steps in the garden . They are pretty steep and are not gated
We really enjoyed our stay, wonderful location and the accommodation was excellent in all respects. The staff were brilliant throughout our stay. They were particularly kind and efficient in returning some property we left behind by mistake so we cannot thank them enough.
Jeffrey
Perfect property in an ideal position. Well kept, clean and uncluttered and well equipped
A beautiful place to spend your holiday. Great location. The property is immaculate and very well equipped
Love this property it has everything you need inside & outside. Very cosy, clean, good size & stunning grounds. We could easily live there.
North Firbank is in a superb setting on Culzean Castle Estate, close to a beautiful Beach, woodland rambles and formal gardens. Such a peaceful setting and loved the dark skies at night! Great coffee to be had at the Home Farm Cafe. The Cottage was clean, well equipped, and comfortable and worked well for me with having mobility difficulties. I brought my own bathing safety equipment to enable me to safely access the shower over the bath. My mobility scooter managed to negotiate the grounds pretty well. What would have been really appreciated is a Patio table and chairs by the Kitchen door side to be able to relax in the lovely setting outside. Unfortunately anyone with any kind of mobility issue would not be able to get down the steps to the lower garden. We will definitely be back, Thank you!
Tracey
Lovely cottage , spotlessly clean and fabulous location. Small point, the sunken garden is a lovely space but would have been great if you could add a rail on one side of the steps down to garden wrought iron would be ideal and in keeping with cottage. This would be so helpful for elderly as well as young children. Also a little gate at top of the garden steps would be great. Also although The cottage details did warn of a few steps down from living room to kitchen, please can you put much brighter strip across the few steps for safety? It is almost impossible to see them until too late as they blend in with flooring . Aside from these small points, we loved our stay at North Firbank and will definitely be back.
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Unit 5, Heathfield Industrial Estate, Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA8 9SX