Quarterlands Glamping
Discover more about this lovely glamping site just outside Holywood, Co. Down.
Last week we were invited to stay at a lovely new glamping site just outside Holywood, Co. Down. Fortunately we had a great weather day and the rare Northern Irish sun stayed out for most of our shoot.
Sitting in a field a short walk from their home, Jana & Jeremey have two identical shepherds huts. Both huts have one fold out double bed, a bunk bed as well as a seating area and a small kitchen. As a couple staying in one of these huts we thought it was great and liked the use of the space.
The area surrounding the huts is beautiful with stunning views over Belfast lough and fields all around us with sheep, goats and cows. This place is a great base to stay for exploring the areas around you such as the coastal path, Holywood and Bangor. With its family friendly vibe the space outside the huts is perfect for running around and playing games.
After we spent most of the afternoon capturing the huts we drove about 5 mins to Holwood for dinner. You are always spoilt for choice in this local town as there are so many great places to eat out. As Holywood is somewhere we would go quite often we chose The Dirty Duck as we hadn’t been there in years and it was recommended to us by a few friends. We had a lovely meal and would definitely go back. It is a great spot to go to if you want to enjoy a walk by the coast as well.
We then headed back to the glamping site to set up the fire pit and make some delicious s’mores provided by The Mallow Makers.
After we had eaten far to many s’mores we enjoyed some board games along with a glass of prosecco on the bench outside until it got dark.
In the morning we enjoyed waking up to the views over the lough and sitting outside for the sunrise.
Each hut provides a gas fired hot plate to use outside, with the weather being so good we got it set up and cooked our breakfast. I’m not going to lie, I am not the camping type but it was delightful to be able cook and eat outside and enjoy those views one more time before it was time to leave.
After gathering our belongings, we headed to Grey Point Fort and Helens Bay for a lovely walk by the sea before going home.
After our stay I was able to ask Jana some questions about her accommodation and how it came to be. Read more below….
Hi Jana, can you tell me a little bit about yourselves and what inspired you to start an Airbnb?
Jeremy grew up on this farm and has a real connection with the land. When we were first married, we lived near Dromara however it was always our dream to build a house on the farm. Some years later the dream became reality, and we are now very blessed to live here with our 2 boys and extended family close by.
As our boys were growing up, we spent many a holiday in our caravan and enjoyed the comfort of the caravan but also the outdoors lifestyle. Those holidays sparked the idea that we could provide a glamping experience on our farm where people could enjoy the comfort of proper beds, private cooking and bathroom facilities but be immersed in nature. As with our house these plans took some time to come to fruition but now the shepherds’ huts are here, and we are very excited to open this summer. We hope many people will come and enjoy their stay at Quarterlands.
Is there a meaning behind the name Quarterlands?
Yes, Jeremy has 3 brothers and so when the land was divided up it was divided into quarters hence the name Quarterlands.
If you could sum up the style/feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Relaxing, Cosy, Bespoke
What do you love most about your accommodation?
The creative use of space and the high ceilings give the huts a roomy feel. On a clear day the view over Belfast lough is spectacular, you can watch the boats going in and out.
For guests coming to stay where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
That’s difficult to answer concisely as there are so many wonderful places close by. We are within a couple of miles from Crawfordsburn and Helen’s Bay beaches. The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is also nearby and worth a vist. There are many beautiful walks to be had along the North Down coastal pathway. Bangor and all it has to offer including the beautiful Bangor marina and Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex is ~ 4 miles from our site. Holywood town is less than 3 miles away and there are many wonderful coffee shops and eateries there. Belfast city centre, the odyssey complex which many eateries a cinema and W5 the interactive discovery centre and the world leading visitor attraction the Titanic exhibition centre are less than 7 miles from our site. There are so many more places worth a mention but we’d be here all day so I guess people
List of places to go nearby
Food
The Dirty Duck, Holywood
Indian Ocean, Holywood
Coast, Holywood
Joxer, Holywood
lemongrass, Holywood
The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn
The Coffee Yard, Holywood
The Bay Tree, Holywood
Lynchpin
Walks and Attractions
Crawfordsburn Country Park
North Down Coastal Path
Helens Bay Beach
Holywood Beach
Titanic Belfast
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
The Brambles
Take a look inside this beautiful new Airbnb in Dundrum Co.Down…
Dundrum Co. Down has always been somewhere I have driven through but never stopped to spend much time in, so it was lovely to be asked to capture a new Airbnb right the in center of this charming little town.
The Brambles is a beautiful period house that sits on the main street of Dundrum, with its location being so close to stunning walks and views such as Dundrum Castle and Murlough Nature Reserve this beautiful house is perfect for a weekend stay or a mini holiday with your family. The decor in the house hints at the owners love for Ireland with glimpses of their history throughout.
We arrived at The Brambles just after lunch and after being shown around by Wendy and hearing a little bit about her story and how this Airbnb came to be, we started photographing the space and capturing all the little details. Wendy had left us some delicious buns from a shop in the town and lovely local Kilmegan apple juice which we happily tucked into before heading out for a walk.
We walked up to Dundrum Castle which is about a 10/15 min walk from the house. The views across the lough were beautiful. Unfortunately it was a little cloudy but on a clear day the view of the Mournes would be incredible. Definitely worth the trip and taking a walk around the Castle. (I will list a few more places to visit nearby at the bottom of this blog.)
After visiting the Castle we walked to Scopers to order our dinner. We had heard great things about this place both from Wendy and on Instagram. We really enjoyed it, the staff were really friendly and it was nice to be able to support a local restaurant during our stay.
After dinner we lit the stove and enjoyed an evening of reading in front of the fire, the main living room is a very cozy space where you could happily sit all evening. If you wanted to venture out there is a local pub near the house, about a 5 min walk.
In the morning we enjoyed the coffee and croissants provided by Wendy before we headed out for a walk around Murlough Nature Reserve which was just across the road from the house. We had a lovely walk around the lough to Murlough House and back before we left to go home.
After our stay I asked Wendy a few questions about herself and her new Airbnb, read more below…..
Hey Wendy tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind your Airbnb.
My husband and I are both Irish and have lived most of our lives in Switzerland. We discovered this area about thirty years ago through good friends who live here and we fell in love with the place. We bought a property in the village 13 years ago as a holiday home and 3 years ago we made it our “forever” home. We both grew up by the sea and had a longing to return to it.
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
We have always enjoyed hosting friends and family in our own home and helping them to discover all that the area has to offer. Having the Airbnb is an extension of what we are already doing. We appreciate being part of this village community.
If you could sum up the style / feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Charming, cozy and inviting.
What do you love most about your accommodation?
We love that it is a beautiful period house with so much character.
For guests coming to stay, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
There is so much to see and do in this area. In walking distance from the house we have Dundrum Castle ( built in 1117) which has fantastic views of the Mourne mountains and Dundrum Bay. There is also Murlough Nature Reserve, which has an amazing beach with the Mountains of Mourne as a backdrop. We are blessed with stunning scenery and plenty of places to eat delicious food.
list of places to go nearby
Food
Scopers
Mourne Seafood Bar
Dundrum Inn
Tonn Ruray
Bay Side Catch
RuMac's Pizza
The Buck’s Head Inn
The Squid Shack
Walks and Attractions
Dundrum Castle
Murlough House
Murlough Nature Reserve
Dundrum Coastal Path
Seaford Woodland Walk
Slieve Croob Farm
Slieve Croob Farm Glamping is a beautiful cabin hidden in the Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking views.
Last week I had the pleasure of staying at Slieve Croob Farm. A few months ago Catherine booked my Airbnb Experience package which includes one night stay, 100 High Quality photos, some content for her Instagram and a blog feature about my stay.
From the moment we arrived we stopped to take in the incredible view, luckily it was a beautiful day, the skies were clear and the mountains around us were crisp. The Mournes poking up over the hills was definitely a highlight for me. It’s a view I could have looked at all day.
For a little cabin this place is full of personality. The interiors are unexpectedly bright and airy. With a double bed, kitchen and shower room, it really has all you need to enjoy a few nights away, whether that’s solo or with a friend or partner. The pops of colour on the kitchen tiles along with the bar stools and wall décor has you taking in every detail.
After capturing the inside, it was time to heat the wood fired hot tub before the sunset to take a few photos and also try it out myself. I can honestly say that sitting in the hot tub surrounded by beautiful irish mountains, a slight breeze in the air and a stunning sunset, it is definitely an experience I wont forget.
I love the sustainable aspect to the hot tub as it isn’t something you see very often, that is another great detail about Slieve Croob - its attention to sustainability and local produce. I love when a local Airbnb highlights and supports local makers and it’s another thing I love to capture
This place is fully equipped to cook your own meals with an oven, cooker and fridge provided, there are also shops close by in Dromora and a few take away options to choose from. Catherine had us stocked with some delicious goodies from The Mallow Makers and Mourne Brownies, they were thoroughly enjoyed. After the beautiful sunset it was marshmallow time, with a lovely spot to sit out the front beside the fire pit, we made some hot chocolate and enjoyed the rest of the evening.
In the morning we enjoyed the croissants, tea and orange juice that were left for us and we headed down the road to Newcastle for some coffee at Birch Coffee and a little walk around the town.
After my stay I was able to ask Catherine some questions about her Airbnb and how it all started. Read more below...
Hey Catherine, Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind Slieve Croob.
Slieve Croob Mountain is an area of outstanding natural beauty and we wanted to share some of our surrounding area with guests.
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
After our second daughter was born I wanted to work from home more so we decided after staying in a few other lovely Airbnb’s we would create our own and it would hopefully be as new a way of getting an income and being able to work from home.
If you could sum up the style/ feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Quirky, cosy and different.
What do you love most about your accommodation?
There are so many details that I love about the space that we have created but I think the thing I love the most is that our location is so isolated and rural, nothing in the mountain but the hut and nature.
Have you any advice for those wanting to start their own small Airbnb?
Make it different, and something you love.
For guests coming to stay at Slieve Croob, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
There are so many beautiful places around us to visit, if you have the time I would recommend walking up Slieve Croob for the views. Castlewellan Forest Park is about a 20 min drive. We love the Maghera Inn for food if you are looking to eat out somewhere during your stay.
If you are looking for an isolated little spot to stay for a few nights, I would highly recommend Slieve Croob, As Catherine describes… you are surrounded by nothing but mountains and nature. If you can see yourself sitting in a very relaxing wood fired hot tub, with a drink in your hand, taking in that view then get booking. You wont regret it.
You can book your stay here
Follow Slieve Croob Farm Glamping on Intsagram
Slemish Hideaway
I look inside my stay at Slemish Hideaway, a cabin getaway at the foot of Slemish Mountain.
I was delighted to be asked to stay and capture Slemish Hideaway. An Airbnb at the foot of Slemish Mountain. Adele booked the Airbnb experience package which includes a One night stay where I document my stay and what I got up to while I was there.
As I drove up the lane to this unique stay, I was struck by the incredible view of Slemish Mountain. I had never quite seen it like this and it really caught me off guard, that alone is a reason to book your stay.
When we arrived the weather was as expected for Northern Ireland in early February…. cold! but as we stepped into our cabin we were greeted with warmth and we were able to sit, enjoy an afternoon tea provided and take in that beautiful scenery.
When we warmed up, we stepped outside again to capture our surroundings and take in all the details that Adele has added to these lovely cabins.
Each one has its own luxury hot tub which we were lucky enough to enjoy as the sun set. In between the two hot tubs sits what I think is the most eye catching thing of this whole place… the sauna. There’s something pretty great about stepping out of a very relaxing hot tub in to the cold weather and into your own personal sauna, and to level it up you get to experience that view even more.
Once the sun had set we headed to Broughshane, around a 10 minute drive from Slemish Hideaway to get some dinner. There are a few places to choose from in this little town but we settled for some good old pub grub at Thatchers inn. It was delicious and the staff were really friendly.
We finished our stay the morning after with another dip in the hot tub and then headed to Ballymena, 15 mins from Slemish Hideaway to get a morning coffee and bun at Middletown.
There are so many great places to visit around Slemish Hideaway which makes its attraction that much more popular. With towns such as Carnlough, Broughshane and Ballymena within driving distance you have plenty of options for outings.
You can book your stay at Slemish Hideaway here
The Studio Helens Bay
Have a closer look at this unique new Airbnb in the quant little town of Helens Bay, Co. Down…
A few months ago I was invited to a beautiful new Airbnb in the quaint little town of Helen’s Bay. This unique holiday rental is located just a short walk from the delightful coastal path and sits beside the owner, Sara’s house. What once was the annex of their family home has now been converted into a delightful Airbnb, perfect for a solo trip or for a new family. Sara has a great eye for detail with her design background. Her house is full of character and charisma which has followed through into the Airbnb. Read more below about how Sara and her family began their Airbnb journey.
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind The Studio Helen’s Bay
My husband and I recently returned to live in Northern Ireland after almost twenty years working in London. With careers in fashion design and marketing, we would often joke that one day we would leave it all behind to run a bed and breakfast in Ireland.
And then one day it happened!
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
Just prior to Covid hitting, and following the birth of our second child, we decided to swap West London for Helen’s Bay and the slower pace of life it offers our young family.
Enthusiastic about rediscovering the North Down coast, we are keen to share the place we love with visitors to our fledgling Airbnb.
The Studio is set in the grounds of our own home and takes its name from its use as a functioning design studio. When not occupied as an Airbnb, the large limed wood table in the living area is a perfect work space for to work from. Airy and peaceful, it really encourages relaxed, creative thinking.
I love the minimal style of your Airbnb, was there any interior inspiration behind the styling of it?
We have used a lot of salvaged and upcycled furniture, heavily influenced by interior stylists Mark and Sally Bailey and their ability to mix old with new.
Above all, sustainability was a key consideration from the repurposed furniture, to the solar powered skylight fittings, even carrying through to the zero waste toiletries sourced locally at Without Waste, Holywood.
The Studio is a space to champion local design and we have used its walls to showcase local art with pieces by Ruth Osborne, bespoke paintings and hand crafted wreaths from locally gathered willow.
Do you have a favourite detail in your Airbnb?
Our favourite feature in the Studio has to be the double height white washed vaulted ceiling in the open plan living space. With multiple sky lights and double doors opening on the leafy private garden, the light bright space feels like a little oasis of calm.
Have you any advice for those wanting to start their own small Airbnb?
What we hadn’t appreciated when we started out our plan is that all Airbnbs in Northern Ireland must be Tourist board accredited. We found the people at Discover NI hugely supportive and informative when starting out for the first time.
For guests coming to stay at The Studio, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
The Studio is perfectly located just by The North Down coastal path and Crawfordsburn Country Park.
Helens Bay Organic Farm Shop is a beautiful spot to drop into and pick up a few local ingredients during your stay. Restaurants like Frae and Lynchpin in Holywood are on our recommendation list for visitors. Slightly Further afield, a day trip along the banks of Strangford Lough with a stop off In the village of Greyabbey with its pretty antiques shops and a visit to National Trust property Mount Stewart makes for a perfect day.
Thank you to Sara for taking the time to answer some questions about her Airbnb and for inviting me to capture it.
You can keep up to date with all that is happening at The Studio via their Instagram.
Click here to book your stay.
North Coast 9
North Coast 9 provides a luxury glamping experience in the North Coast and Glens of Antrim….
Last week I was invited to capture and stay at North Coast 9 Glamping site. North Coast 9 consists of nine glamping pods spread over two sites in the North Coast. One based in Armoy that holds six pods and the other in Ballycastle that holds three. I had the opportunity to stay at their Armoy site to capture and write about my experience.
North Coast 9 is owned by Sinead & Colm, a young family passionate about creating a sustainable but practical accommodation that enables their guests to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Each pod has its own personal hot tub filled with natural spring water, an outdoor area with a fire pit and barbecue. Inside, each pod has its own private ensuite, bespoke king-size bed, TV and kitchen area.
I travelled to Armoy on a sunny Thursday afternoon and upon arrival I was greeted by Sinead who told me all about their journey to creating this site. From the initial idea right the way through to sourcing the pods and the hot tubs. There is nothing I love more than hearing people talk so passionately about their businesses, especially ones so early on in the process.
After spending a few hours capturing the pods and the surrounding area, I drove to Ballycastle just a short 10min drive from the site to get some dinner and explore the beautiful coastline.
There are a lot of unique places to eat in Ballycastle but I chose to have a lovely meal in Anzac bar and restaurant. The food was delicious with great service and a very very reasonable price.
With it being such an unexpectedly beautiful day, I took the opportunity to walk along the shore at Ballycastle to take in those stunning views.
When returning to the Pods, I spent another few hours capturing the the site and surroundings. The sun was low in the sky so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to test out the spring water hot tub… I am pleased to say it did not disappoint. The still warm water was incredibly relaxing, I could have stayed there all evening watching the sunset over the fields.
I eventually parted with the hot tub and sat outside with a cold drink beside the fire pit and enjoyed my last few mins before heading inside for the night.
The next morning I was blissfully awoken with the golden sun peaking through the curtains. I took myself outside and enjoyed a slow morning with a cup of coffee and a beautiful morning view over the fields. After gathering my things, and drinking in some sunshine, I left this unique stay and drove to Coleraine to get some breakfast in Fidela Coffee one of my absolute favourite spots for a good brew on the North Coast. I drove home feeling refreshed and super excited to start editing the photography for this very blog post.
After my stay I was able to ask Sinead & Colm some questions about how their business venture began.
Read below for more...
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind North Coast 9?
We are a husband and wife team, with a young family, who grew up in the local area. Having both lived and worked away in different countries we have come to greatly appreciate the area we are lucky enough to call home.
North Coast 9 came from a desire to create a sustainable rural business that enables guests to enjoy and explore our beautiful surroundings.
Did you take inspiration from other places you had stayed or seen before deciding on your pods?
Yes, we looked and stayed at numerous places which helped us decide on the main priorities to guarantee a quality experience for our guests. Each pod has a full glass gable to embrace the views from our location. Uninterrupted view from the pods within the site. Handcrafted bespoke king size bed with top quality bedding. Ensuites with shower.
What do you love most about your accommodation?
We made a conscious decision that our accommodation would have to fit with our surroundings and provide a tranquil retreat. You are constantly questioning, is it working? So when guests tell us how peaceful and relaxing their stay was, how they felt they were 'getting away from it all', 'unwinding' and 'recharged' we know we are on track.
Who would you recommend coming to stay at North Coast 9? Families, couples, friends?
One of our unique selling points is that we are an adult only site, ideally suited to couples, friends or individuals who want to reconnect with nature and each other. It is also a fantastic base for exploring what the North Coast and Glens has to offer.
Where would be your top 5 places to visit near by? (attractions, shops, cafes)
We really are spoiled for choice when it comes to local attractions, picking just five is very difficult.
The Dark Hedges, featured in Game of Thrones, a few minutes from our pods. Take a drive to the Giants Causeway on your way check out Kenbane,
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ballintoy Harbour and Dunluce Castle Ballycastle, picturesque seaside town 5 mins drive from pods with many popular restaurants like the 'Anzac', bars like the 'House of Mc Donnell', cafes like 'Thyme and Co'.
Day Trips to Rathlin Island by ferry, with puffins, lighthouses and much more. Head into the Glens to visit Glenariff Forest Park on the way check out Cushendun caves, Fair Head and Torr Head.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to do something similar?
We are a new business, still learning, two things come to mind…Before starting, do your research, know your target guest, identify what will work in your own area. When started, do not underestimate the amount of effort and work behind the scenes, the attention to detail required to maintain standards.
I wouldn’t hesitate to book a weekend at North Coast 9 - all in all it was an amazing experience. I would definitely recommend going with some close friends to enjoy the hot tubs, scenery and nearby restaurants and coffee shops. Watching the sunset over the hill from a their beautiful still water hot tub is something I will never forget.
You can book to stay here
Follow them on Instagram here
Broad Skies
My latest Local Natives blog featuring Broad Skies. A converted static Caravan transformed into a beautiful cozy cabin Airbnb based in the North Coast of Ireland.
In 2020 I captured the beautiful Oat Box for Olive, so it was a pleasure, one year on to be asked to photograph Broad Skies, a static caravan converted into a beautiful Cabin located just outside the town of Bushmills, Northern Ireland.
Olive got in touch as soon as she launched Broad Skies in May 2021. Ever since, I have been itching to get in the doors to see all the unique details that I knew Olive would have decorated it with. Her amazing eye for interior design is evident in every room, on every wall, in every corner.
As soon as I stepped into Broad Skies, I was hit with a great sense of warmth. The autumn tones dotted around the main kitchen area had me instantly feeling all cozy and ready to nestle in to a relaxing evening by the stove.
Off to the side are two striking bedrooms. A main bedroom detailed with accent lights at each side of the bed and a second bedroom, with bunk-beds, a striking Mustard Made yellow locker and vintage tennis rackets comfortably fixed on the walls. These are the types of details I love to capture and the details that are only found in an Airbnb owned by Olive.
After my stay at Broad Skies, I asked Olive some questions on what inspired this comforting Cabin.
Keep scrolling to read more about Olive’s insight into creating this unique stay...
Hello again Olive, first of all can you give us a bit of insight into the name Broad Skies and how it came to be?
The cabin at Broad Skies is all about relaxing in a secluded rural setting and soaking in the amazing views over Portballintrae and the surrounding countryside. What is most striking to visitors are the big skies that are always changing, like an ever changing painting and we thought the name 'Broad Skies' perfectly encapsulated that sentiment.
I said a few words above about your amazing eye for interiors. Was there any interior inspiration behind the styling of it?
I looked to the style of lots of rural retreats that I admire for inspiration, like the Soho House properties and The Pig hotel group. I also love the electric styling that the Artists Residence Hotels use to decorate their spaces. Sustainability was an important factor in design decisions as well, choosing to re-purpose, reuse and use secondhand where possible.
If you could sum up the style/ feel of this cozy space in 3 words , what would they be?
Relaxed, Rustic, Calming
The details are all so unique, where do you find these amazing one off pieces?
Almost all the decor details in the cabin are second hand, vintage or antique. I like to buy secondhand as it allows me to customise pieces to suit the look I am trying to create and gives a more unique feel. Most of the furniture was bought via Facebook marketplace and then refinished, for example the sofa was being offered for free but I knew it was a really good quality make so we grabbed it and my mum made new linen covers for it. The paintings in the house were all eBay, house clearance and auction finds, we live very close to North Coast Auctions and I do keep a close eye on their weekly sales! I also like to support local designers too and have a number of pieces and prints in the cabin created by craftspeople.
Do you have a favourite detail in your Airbnb?
I have to say it's that view! And the wooden hot tub, perfectly positioned to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Broad Skies is situated in such an amazing location. For guests coming to stay can you recommend any places to visit nearby?
The Giants Causeway is very close to the cabin, as are all the popular attractions of the North Coast, so you won't ever be stuck for something to do Whitepark Bay is just a short drive away and can be teamed with a pit stop at Bothy Coffee. The walk from Portballintrae to the Causeway is well worth doing and not steep so suitable for everyone to enjoy.
Thanks so much to Olive for having me to stay at the cozy cabin and for chatting to me about those striking details, unique decor and of course that wonderful view!
During my stay, we didn’t have the best weather with rain and wind. We didn’t venture out to have dinner however with my seven month old in tow we decided to try one of the local takeaways. We got some beautiful fish and chips from Flash in the Pan, Bushmills. In the morning we took ourselves off to Portrush to Magercross viewpoint and grabbed a coffee at Babushka. On our way home we stopped into Fidela Coffee Roasters for brunch and couldn’t resist popping to my favourite Interiors shop BTS Concept Store.
It was a wonderful stay and I highly recommend you add it your list of places to stay in Northern Ireland. It has all the amenities for you to bring your own groceries and cook for yourself but its also the location to treat yourself and eat out.
The Oat Box
My latest Local Natives blog featuring The Oat Box. An old horse box converted into a unique Airbnb based in the North Coast of Ireland.
Last Weekend I had the absolute pleasure of staying at the ‘The Oat Box’. It was such a delightful experience, both to capture and to stay in. ‘The Oat Box’ is so full of character and style…I came away thinking how fun it must have been to create and design somewhere so unique.
The Airbnb is located a little inland from Portrush, with the beautiful North Coast beaches, Coffee Shops and Restaurants just a short drive away. ‘The Oat Box’ sits just off Olive’s family home, beside a big open field and from the very moment I arrived, I was excited to capture this little treasure…
Stepping into ‘The Oat Box’ for the first time was mesmerising, not only were the colours and decor perfect but the smell of ginger and lemongrass from the soap in bathroom made the place smell so fresh.
After my stay, I was able to ask Olive some questions about how she went about creating ‘The Oat Box’.
Continue reading below to get some insight into how it all began…
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how ‘The Oat Box’ came to be?
I’m a product designer and left work when I had my third child as the price of childcare was just too high! I was looking for a business I could run while the children are small and that could be based at home. I also really love renovating vintage furniture and collecting anything with a bit of history to it, so I wanted to utilise those skills into whatever project I took on.
The idea of an Airbnb always came to my mind as we are in an ideal location, being on the North Coast of Ireland. I researched renovating outbuildings and then moved on to investigating various types of quirky accommodation, collating numerous Pinterest boards along the way. Eventually I came to the conclusion that a horsebox conversion would give me the greatest freedom to customise a small space exactly how I wanted to.
How or where did you manage to find an old Horse box to renovate?
I kept an eye on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for a good few months, but it was Ebay that came up with the goods in the end! I bid on our horse lorry pretty much on a whim, thinking I wouldn’t get it and someone else would beat me to it at the last second, as that’s what usually happens but they didn’t, and I won the auction! I then had to figure out how to tell my husband what I’d just bought and also how to get it from the South of England across to us in Northern Ireland!! Thankfully the seller was really accommodating and helpful at getting the lorry safely over to us!
What was your inspiration behind the style of ‘The Oat Box’?
I knew I wanted to use salvaged materials and vintage finds as far as possible in the design of the interior, but I did struggle to find a starting point!
The ceiling and floor of the lorry are original, and it was important to make anything we added in enhance these features. Once I sourced the wooden panelling from a church renovation, everything else seemed to fall into place around that. I think the warm wood panelling really helps to achieve the cosy cabin vibe I was aiming for.
Do you have a favourite aspect of ‘The Oat Box’, a decoration or piece of furniture?
I love the kitchen splash-back tiles because they are antique and hand painted. Each one is a little bit wonky and just slightly different to the next when you study them closely. I also love the fact I found them in a house clearance for £10!
For guests coming to stay at ‘The Oat Box’, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
We have lots of gorgeous places to visit on the North Coast.. the beach at White Rocks, Ballintoy Harbour, White Park Bay, The Giant’s Causeway of course, and I just love the drive from Bushmills to Ballycastle via the coast, it’s beautiful!
What advice would you give others who may want to create their own unique Airbnb?
To keep in mind that you are creating a little escape from reality for your guests for a couple of days. I think people are searching for places that can transport them to another world, even if they haven’t traveled far to get there. I found it really helpful to write a list of all the things that I found memorable about various places I had stayed in over the years to figure out what it is that really makes a lasting impression. There are enough bland spaces out there already for people to stay in, push the boundaries and create your own dream space and guests will respond to that.
‘The Oat Box’ is such a unique and wonderful stay. Do you have any other renovation plans for the future, either changes to ‘The Oat Box’ or any new project ideas?
Oh my head is always swimming with too many ideas!! We have plans to plant a wildflower meadow around the oat box and hope to add an outdoor bath next spring.
I also have a couple of vintage caravans that I’m renovating at the minute and eventually would love to run creative workshops from my studio on the farm.
One of my favourite parts about this stay was ending the evening outside beside the fire pit, watching the stars and toasting marshmallows. ‘The Oat Box’ is the perfect little getaway for two!
