The Waterhouse

The Waterhouse retreat is a haven of peace set in beautiful rural south west Scotland. It is surrounded by stunning, undulating countryside, beside a farm track and fields full of sheep and cows in summer months. It is only minutes away from stunning coastline and secluded beaches and the jewel of the South, the Artist’s town and fishing port of Kirkcudbright. The Waterhouse gardens have a unique romantic ambiance and are a popular venue for special events like honeymoons, romantic getaways and anniversaries. The setting is ideal for naturist visitors. Naturism is entirely optional and non-naturist guests are equally welcome. The owners live and work on site and their cottage, in the grounds, is not visible from the Waterhouse. High fencing and thick planting of trees, shrubs and climbers, make the site secluded and peaceful.
The Lodges can be booked for short 3 day weekend or 4 day weekday breaks or for longer stays. Prices from £195 for up to 4 people for a break. See web site for price guide and availability.

A warm welcome

Holidays here are aimed at natural, peaceful living, eco-friendly, enjoying nature in the gardens as much as possible. We offer shared evening meals with the owners in their cottage kitchen, some evenings, at a reasonable cost with a wide menu on offer.  Meat is locally produced, free range from butchers and vegetables are from the garden in season or local greengrocers.

Naturism

The Waterhouse is naturist optional. Not all members of your group need to be naturist and how often is entirely up to yourselves, from hot tub only, or all the time.
We also take bookings from non-naturists, so please share this information with non- naturist, but nature loving friends.
We offer an unusual, unique, flexible holiday opportunity; a secluded get-a-way for two, or a communal space for up to ten guests that we hope you will want to come back to. The Waterhouse is not a naturist club and we are open to all and wish to encourage naturist tolerance.  
The Gardens are very well screened and private and ongoing plantings continue to improve privacy. The hot tub is outdoors and can be used all year round.  The living room faces south and has double doors and large oak framed glass windows on 2 sides, so it is easily possible to be naked most days indoors, if not out, although the decking is a suntrap. A warm eco-friendly wood pellet stove also helps in cooler weather.
Westwater Lodge has a spacious south facing sun room and deck suitable for naturist living much of the year. A large log fire in the living room and smaller open fire in the dining area also create a cosy naturist environment on colder days.

Accommodation

The accommodation consists of 3 unique luxury lodges set in one and a half acres of informal gardens, ponds and woodland. The properties are available to rent separately or together for larger groups up to 10 persons.

THE WATERHOUSE LODGE AND THE BOATHOUSE

The Waterhouse is an eco, oak framed timber pole house, supported by square oak posts. A stream runs under the deck and feeds a large pond, a major feature of a series of beautifully planted terraced gardens surrounding the house.The Waterhouse nestles gently in an acre of densely planted cottage garden, heavily scented with roses, buddleia and honeysuckle. The Waterhouse gardens are a wildlife sanctuary teaming with an abundance of bird species.  The Waterhouse Lodge has a spacious, south facing, glass fronted sunroom and a sun deck which overhangs a large pond. The outdoor eating area contains a large 10 seater hand crafted table built from an Ash tree from the garden. A lower deck contains a private HOT TUB, heated and used all year round - a winter treat for watching the clearest skies in Britain, as well as a relaxing summer's evening.
Sleeps 4 in 1 double and 1 bunk room
The Boathouse is a smaller, self contained, fully equipped, wooden Wigwam, which can be booked alongside the Waterhouse as an additional living/sleeping space for larger group holidays. The Boathouse is not available for separate rental.
Sleeps 2 in 1 double bed.

AMENITIES: private gardens, hot tub, showers, sun decks, picnic tables/outdoor eating area, board games, books, DVD player, CD/radio music system with MP3 lead, gas oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, linens, towels and bathrobes provided, local guides/maps, biomass stove(real fire), toaster, kettle, hospitality pack of local produce, solar powered water heater (electric back-up), free off-road car parking.


WESTWATER LODGE

Westwater Lodge is a lovely, traditional, spacious, stone built Galloway cottage standing in its own private garden. It has a large south facing deck area surrounding a comfortable, glass sun-room which overlooks the garden. The rustic character of the cottage has been retained and rooms are light and airy. The open log fires in the living room and dining room are beautiful features that make the cottage cosy and comfortable all year round.
The cottage sleeps 4 in 1 double and 1 twin bedroom.

AMENITIES: sun deck, picnic tables, large private garden, DVD/CD/Freesat flat screen TV/radio, board games, books, local guides/maps, electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge freezer, toaster, kettle, linen and towels provided, electric shower, storage heaters, free basket of logs, hospitality pack of local produce, free off-road parking.

Safety

The water in the large pond is up to 2 meters deep and is dangerous to young children. It is not safe to swim in the pond because it is fed by a stream which runs through adjoining farmland.
The deck housing the heated, 4/5  person hot tub, has no gates.
There is outdoor safety lighting.
The entire property is fenced and has large gates, which children would find difficult to open.  These are kept closed at all times to keep cows and sheep out of the property.

General Information

In keeping with the environmental ethos of The Waterhouse and gardens, the Waterhouse Lodge and contents have been designed to minimise carbon emissions and to be as natural a build as possible.  All timber in the Waterhouse and Boathouse buildings and all decks, comes from local and/or sustainable sources.  The living roof is clad in green sedum to lessen environmental impact on the landscape.  The thick insulation is natural Thermafleece, sheep's wool. Interior paints and varnish are safe and natural green products. The windows have heat  reflective glass.  To reduce energy use, all light bulbs (in all properties)  are low energy and electrical appliances have been kept to a minimum.  Water is heated using a solar panel and a bio-mass wood pellet stove is the main source of heat.
Waste is recycled at the local Eco Deco Recycling plant.
There is no telephone or internet connection at The Waterhouse.  Reception for mobile phones is poor at the property but gets better as you drive towards town. The house phone can be used in emergencies or for incoming messages.
There is a launderette in Kirkcudbright.
There is disabled access to The Waterhouse only, however, the terraced nature of the gardens, makes wheelchair use of the gardens difficult.  The large deck is accessible.