Rural Retreats was founded in 1985 with the aim of making the countryside more accessible for holidaymakers and giving them the best possible choice of holiday homes across the UK. Rural Retreats’ continuing success is based on excellent local knowledge and painstaking research, together with a flair for finding delightful and unusual properties. All of this has enabled us to build a portfolio of over 450 exceptionally fine holiday homes in stunningly beautiful locations, all available for you to rent. When you are looking for your own perfect holiday home, our experienced and helpful staff can help to point you to the property of your dreams. Whatever you want to ask about any of our properties, there will be someone on our staff who knows the cottage or apartment at first hand.

Situated at the entrance to Netherwood House, Netherwood Lodge is a walker’s paradise and the perfect base to enjoy the Scottish landscapes. The views from the property are stunning too.

Information correct at time of writing. Situated near the mouth of the River Nith that flows into the Solway Firth, Dumfries is a historic market town that locals know as Queen of the South. Come on a pilgrimage to ‘Rabbie’, the poet Robert Burns, or view fascinating sights from the Camera Obscura. The Robert Burns Centre in Dumfries contains many original manuscripts by the Bard, as well as an audio-visual display of his life. In the evenings, the centre transforms itself into a film theatre, hosting some of the latest blockbusters and art-house movies. A day at Drumlanrig Castle is fun for all the family, with everything from culture and history through to mountain biking and adventure playgrounds. The 90,000-acre estate has miles of beautiful walks, and there’s a famous Rembrandt masterpiece to admire in the castle too. Another castle well worth a visit is Caerlaverock. This beautiful medieval ruin has a unique triangular structure. One firm favourite with visitors is the tearoom, open throughout the summer and in weekends during the winter. Watch ospreys hunting for food, or glimpse bats gliding and diving through the evening air. Threave Garden is a wildlife haven, with eight species of bats and lots of raptors including red kites and peregrine falcons. The gardens themselves are magnificent too. Galloway Forest Park is the UK’s largest forest park, with heather-clad hillside, majestic and rugged rocks and lochs mirroring the grand mountain scenery. This huge park is home to a stunning variety of wildlife, with deer all around you and birds of prey soaring overhead. At the Crichton Estate you’ll find an arboretum with a bewildering array of rare plants and trees. Paths through the garden take you past the waterfall and ornamental pond and into the beautiful rose garden.