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Lilac Tree Cottage, Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co Down, N.Ireland

Photo gallery for Lilac Tree Cottage, Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co Down, N.Ireland

Room
The roses in bloom at Lilac Tree Cottage
Exterior detail
Spacious living room with seating for 4
Fireplace with wood burning stove

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 475 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Greyabbey, NIR
  • Grey Abbey
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Mount Stewart House and Gardens
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Mount Stewart
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Belfast (BHD-George Best Belfast City)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Master

1 Double Bed and 1 Crib

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Lilac Tree Cottage, Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co Down, N.Ireland

Lilac Tree Cottage is a beautiful listed cottage which dates back to 1860 but you’ll be pleased to hear has been fully renovated since then! It is quaint and cosy with a sizeable living room with wood-burning stove and seperate kitchen with all modern conveniences and a dining area that seats 4 people.

It sleeps 4 people with 2 small and cosy bedrooms. One with a double bed. The other with 2 single beds which can be pushed together to form a king size bed on request. A cot/high chair can be provided.

Ask us about additional accommodation for larger parties.

It has a modern, family bathroom with overhead power shower.

To the rear and side is a pretty garden with decked seating area offering fabulous views over to the beautiful Abbey and St Saviour’s Church - you may even hear the bells ringing!

It is located on a street of stone cottages on the edge of the small historic village of Greyabbey with its Cistercian abbey dating back to 1160. The abbey is set in beautiful parkland and is just across the way from the cottage, the perfect spot for walks and picnics.

The cottage is a few minutes walk from the shops and 10 minutes to Orange Tree House.

“Quaint Cottages Greyabbey” (Rose and Lilac Tree) are characterful cottages, each with their own charm. They are located on a street of stone cottages on the edge of the small historic village of Greyabbey with its stunning Cistercian abbey, set in beautiful parkland, dating back to 1160.

The abbey is set in beautiful parkland and is just across the way from the cottages, the perfect spot for walks and picnics. Greyabbey has a number of historic buildings and a selection of antique and vintage shops, restaurants and coffee shops.

The cottage is within easy walking distance of the abbey (just across the street), local park, antique and vintage boutiques, convenience store and butchers, coffee shops and restaurants. These include Wildfowler Inn (pub grub), Alchemy (modern cuisine). Orange Tree House (wedding venue) is just 10 minutes walk away.

You are just a short drive to the beautiful beach and harbour of Ballywalter. Major supermarkets and amenities at Newtownards are just 10 minutes drive away. All major attractions of Strangford Lough are on your doorstep including the pretty villages of Portaferry and Strangford, the historic town of Downpatrick and stunning National Trust properties and gardens at Mount Stewart and Castleward.

All the major attractions of Northern Ireland are accessible including Belfast just 30 minutes drive away, the Mourne Mountains 50 minutes drive and the North Coast with the Giants Causeway 1.5 hours drive. It is a superb location for a family holiday as you have a wealth of options to chose from - a fabulous long sandy beach, play parks, aquarium, petting farms, play cafes, adventure playgrounds, canoeing, windsurfing and quad biking to name but a few! The cottages are equally suited to a romantic getaway or family holiday.

We have additional holiday rental properties in Greyabbey (Rose Cottage) Kircubbin and Dundrum (a stunning 1st floor apartment with mountain and bay views, listing 86767).

I am a World Host Accredited Service Provider with a commitment to customer service excellence.

Our cottages are registered and approved by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and have the “Good to Go” COVID-19 good procedure certificate.

Please note that the cottage has its original single glazed sash windows and is located on a street at the edge of the village so you can expect some road noise. It may not be suited to people with limited mobility due to stone steps up to the entrance of the cottage once inside it is all on one level.

Property manager

Janet Hamilton
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children are welcome but supervision is needed
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Please let me know if you plan to bring a pet
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Newtownards

Located in Newtownards, this cottage is by the sea. Donaghadee Harbour and The Copeland Distillery LTD are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Drumawhey Junction Railway and Eddie Irvine Sports. Exploris Aquarium and Pickie Fun Park are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and windsurfing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and hiking.
Map
Greyabbey, NIR

What's nearby

  • Grey Abbey - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Mount Stewart House and Gardens - 5 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Mount Stewart - 6 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Donaghadee Harbour - 17 min drive - 14.3 km
  • Titanic Belfast - 28 min drive - 27.6 km

Getting around

  • Cultra Station - 22 min drive
  • Belfast (BHD-George Best Belfast City) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Daft Eddy's - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Harrisons of Greyabbey - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Saltwater Brig - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Wildfowler Inn - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪McClements - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lilac Tree Cottage, Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co Down, N.Ireland pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Lilac Tree Cottage, Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co Down, N.Ireland?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lilac Tree Cottage, Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co Down, N.Ireland?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lilac Tree Cottage, Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co Down, N.Ireland located?

Situated by the sea, this cottage is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Grey Abbey and within 3 miles (5 km) of Strangford and Lecale and Mount Stewart House and Gardens. Mount Stewart and Store House are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 51 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 53 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Taylor H.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Uwe B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
remote cozy stay & plenty mirrors
First of all, I have to mention that in every room with the exception of the kitchen a mirror was installed - at least one; in the bathroom was even a big one alongside the bath tube. That was very much appreciated by my teenage daughter. Overall all the rooms were clean and tidy. A lot of cushions were provided. For me that was too much as I had to remove those and there was no place to store them. We chose the location as it was not too far away from Belfast and close to some places worth to visit like the Mount Stewart house & park and the Grey Abbey. In the kitchen were all basic items provided to cook and bake. Unfortunately, there is no dish washer available. However, having stayed just one week we could overcome that.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Graham L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
Lilac Tree cottage
Arrived at Lilac cottage with no problems with parking thanks to host. Entered into a beautifully set out cottage, on 1st glance Beautifully thought out interiors and comfy. But after being there we come across cob webs and spiders in every room. A wash load in the machine not even ours. A cupboard of condiments and cooking oils etc practically all out of date. And just generally a bit grubby, needs a good dust.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie-Ann S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mother/Daughter time
From the moment we opened the door we felt warm, welcome and relaxed in this beautiful cottage. Ideal for a mini break for mum and I - we shared some quality time with our wee dog in this historic and comfortable property. The host went above and beyond to help us feel at home. A special place - would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous!
Such a lovely cottage, we loved our stay! When I arrived, the cottage was nice and warm and beautifully presented. Everything was clean and tidy and the check in and out process was so easy. The location is fab too! Definitely recommend staying at the cottage and would love to visit again! Thank you so much Janet for being a great host and for letting us stay at your great cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Truly delightful stay
We were staying in Greyabbey for just 4 days. My two friends had never visited Ireland. They weren't interested in seeing all the tourist attractions. They wanted instead to experience true Irish hospitality. Well, Greyabbey was the town and Lilac Tree Cottage was the place to do just that. In four days we became acquainted with Lindsay, Noel & Pippa, Denice & Mark, most everyone at the Vivo, as well as the coffee shop, antique store and vintage shop owners in the courtyard. When there was a problem with a credit card, Denice from the jewelry shop asked the folks at the coffee shop who know right where we were staying and remembered we were going to the ruins for a bit. She was able to find me and get the sorted. Even gave me a ride down to the shop. The folks at Wild Fowler were amazing. And Bill helped get my friend into our cottage when she took a fall in the street. Many of the locals helped stopped traffic. Later Bill showed up at our door with a card, jam cakes, and a crutch for my friend. Thank you Janet for such a lovely cottage. And thanks to everyone in Greyabbey for such a delightful stay. Love you all!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shauna M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend at lilac tree cottage
Beautiful quaint cottage with everything you would need for a perfect stay, we had our 4 dogs with us and they just loved it.Janet (host) was in touch throughout to ensure we were happy. Highly recommended!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mr Rankin
Fantastic
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent
It was a joy to spend time in such a stunning property. We had everything we needed and will be recommending it. The personal touches were so special. Thank you Janet for your attention to detail. Rev Diane
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gina B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful cottage
Fabulous well presented cottage with everything you could need for a very pleasant stay. Very welcoming host and wine and chocolates on arrival..We booked it for a wedding at Orange Tree House and it was perfect for our needs. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Greyabbey/Kircubbin stay.
Property and owner were both exceptional. Well kept, clean and easy to communicate with. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Catherine R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely little cottage clean comfy with all you'll ever need
Great holiday cottage
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Really lovely place to stay and charming village.
Overall really enjoyed my stay, although noisy from passing traffic at front of cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Denise W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent
Hassle free
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alison A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely stay in unique cottage
A lovely stay in this spacious, quirky cottage in a great location. Super place for a holiday. Surprised there aren't more tourists about. They don't know what they are missing..As well as the abbey there are loads of interesting antique shops in the town. Short drive to Mount Stewart and a slightly longer drive to the Folk and Transport museums. Belfast waterfront is amazing - it's like Vancouver!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anne H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulously Quirky Property
Spotlessly clean, quirky and oh so very relaxing. Restaurants on doorsteps and all major attractions close at hand.. Accommodation has everything you will need, including a very welcome bottle of wine

10/10 Excellent

Laura A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Brilliant as always!
Our first stay at Lilac Tree but our fourth time staying in Janet’s beautiful cottages. Needless to say this one is just as good as the other two! Beautiful cottages, clean and characterful, great location and Janet very friendly and helpful! Highly recommended! Thanks again and hopefully be back again soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth (Abby) L., Spokane, Washington

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent Cottage
This cottage is exactly what the pictures look like! It's really quite large and roomy! Janet pays attention to so many little details that made the place so personal. It was a great location that is near many things we wouldn't have seen otherwise, and still conveniently located for the top tourist attractions- 20 minutes to Titanic, 1 hour, 40 minutes to Giant's Causeway. Made for an excellent way to discover Northern Ireland and Belfast! We will definitely be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Susan F.

Delightful Lilac Tree Cottage
We so enjoyed the great cottage from its comfort and decor to location in an interesting village. The welcoming fresh flowers and bottle of wine set the tone for our stay. Plenty to do without having to go far including short walks to convenience store and delicious restaurants.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ed B.

Lovely cottage in a fantastic setting
We had a great time at Lilac Tree Cottage. The place had everything we needed and a great location to explore the coast and Strangford Lough - plenty to do and good restaurants within a short drive/walking distance. Janet the owner was very responsive and accomodating to our needs. Would definitely recommend and hope to come back some day!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dirk B., Magdeburg

Gut eingerichtetes und ausgestattetes Haus in guter Lage
.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Carina P.

Wundervoller Aufenthalt
Wir verbrachten eine wundervolle Urlaubswoche Anfang Juli im Lilac Tree Cottage. Empfangen wurden wir mit einem herzlichen Gruß unserer netten Vermieterin, so dass wir uns gleich willkommen fühlten. Das Häuschen ist traumhaft und stilvoll eingerichtet. Es fehlte uns an nichts. Die Lage ist sehr idyllisch am Ortsrand von Greyabbey direkt gegenüber der alten Abtei, welche wir bei unseren Mahlzeiten auf der Terrasse sehr schön im Blick hatten. Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Vielen Dank dafür.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

marianne k., Kent Ohio

Lovely cottage in a lovely town!
We absolutely loved the cottage and had a very enjoyable stay. We loved the proximity to the town and loved exploring the Abbey and the cemetery. We had a lovely dinner at the pub and enjoyed walking to the little grocer to get things for our breakfast. I could happily live there for ever! The kitchen was well equipped and enjoyed we sitting out on the small deck drinking coffee. Thank you so much as well. for the goodies and the bottle of wine!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S.

Beautiful Lilac Cottage
Lilac cottage is absolutely beautiful. The decor inside was so homely. A lot of thought and effort has gone in to making it perfect! We stayed here the night of our Wedding as we got married in Orange Tree House. The owner-Janet so kindly left us a little note of congratulations along with a bottle of fizzy wine and some treats! Would definitely recommend this property to anyone:)
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Bill M., Niagara, Canada

Beautiful little cottage...genial host.
The cottage was everything it was advertised to be...beautiful! The gardens were in bloom; the Lilac Tree in full flower and fragrant. Greyabbey is my home village and I had arranged a tour of my old school for 2:15 in the afternoon. Since we were arriving by taxi, I was in a bit of a quandary about what to do with our suitcases. Janet allowed us early access to the cottage and even interrupted her work to give us a tour of the other cottages and the gardens. I definitely would recommend staying in any property Janet owned and if I’m fortunate enough to return to Greyabbey I would book Lilac Tree Cottage for sure. W. McAvoy, Ontario, Canada.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

About the host

Hosted by Janet Hamilton

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests