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Grove Fort is a 4 Star Tourist rated accommodation. The owners have a
World Host Training Certification. The house is a two storied restored farmhouse on a working farm in the Dromara Hills. While it is quiet, rural, and away from it all, it is ideally suited for easy access to most of Northern Ireland and some of the North Dublin area of the South. It is situated at the edge of the proposed Mourne National Park Area, an area of outstanding natural beauty, much loved by cyclists and walkers. A car is recommended to get there as public transport is limited to school buses. There are 2 reception rooms, a well-equipped kitchen/dining area including an open fire and wood-burning stove and shower/toilet on the ground floor with limited disability access. The first floor has 3 bedrooms and a ba...Grove Fort is a 4 Star Tourist rated accommodation. The owners have a
World Host Training Certification. The house is a two storied restored farmhouse on a working farm in the Dromara Hills. While it is quiet, rural, and away from it all, it is ideally suited for easy access to most of Northern Ireland and some of the North Dublin area of the South. It is situated at the edge of the proposed Mourne National Park Area, an area of outstanding natural beauty, much loved by cyclists and walkers. A car is recommended to get there as public transport is limited to school buses. There are 2 reception rooms, a well-equipped kitchen/dining area including an open fire and wood-burning stove and shower/toilet on the ground floor with limited disability access. The first floor has 3 bedrooms and a bathroom/shower room. Central heating and double glazing throughout, ample off road free parking. It is 4 miles from the village of Dromara and 6 miles from the historic town of Dromore. Ballynahinch, Banbridge, Hillsborough, Castlewellan, Rathfriland, Lisburn, and Newcastle are within 9-12 miles. Belfast is about 20 miles away and Dublin can be reached in a little over an hour. Castlewellan Forest Park with its beautiful castle and lake is 9 miles away and beautiful Tollymore Forest Park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, where they "sweep down to the sea" is 12 miles away. Murlough Nature Reserve, which is an ideal place for a walk to the sea, is also near Newcastle. Slieve Croob where the river Lagan rises can be climbed and the Finnis Souterraine and Legananny Dolmen are within 2 miles of Grove Fort.
The owners Ivan and Annette Rankin live next door and are on hand to help with any difficulties, to provide flexible check-in and out facilities, and to advise on travel, etc. A Lock-Box has been installed to ease check in. Leaflets about where to visit locally are provided in the property.
A welcome pack including tea, coffee, milk, butter, and homemade scones and jam is provided and a travel cot, highchair, etc are available on request.
Visitors staying longer than a week can organise clean towels and bed linens.
Tourist License / Licencia de turismo N °: 19155
House Rules
Pet-friendlyKid friendlyNo smoking
Upon arrival the visitors must supply full name, permanent address and nationality of each person using the sleeping accommodation in accordance with The Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 Article 24 (3)
Bedrooms
2 Doubles1 Sofa2 Singles
Bathrooms
1 Full bath1 Shower
Meet the host
Annette R
Hosting since March 2015
Languages spoken: English
Response Rate: 100%
Response Time: Within a few hours
Interaction with guests: Hosts are usually available on arrival and can be called upon for assistance with any problems if and when they occur. They are happy to advise about where to go, what to do, etc, or will leave you completely to your own devices if that is what you prefer.
If you have ancestors from Northern Ireland and are wanting to trace them we have a neighbour who offers that service free to guests at Grove Fort Self Catering Farmhouse. All he requires is a name and date of birth and he will do online research for you.
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Arrived to be greeted by the best hosts ever . Ivan & Annette could not do enough for us and lovely home made scones on arrival .
House was perfect so relaxing , clean and everything you could possibly want .
Left feeling like we had known them years. Definitely be back again .
Thank you so much .
Visited September 2023
Written 20 September 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sue J
Oxford, United Kingdom1 contribution
Family Time
Thank you for a lovely base to meet up with family, visit Belfast and explore the Mournes. Grove Fort was beautifully clean and comfortable: we loved having a real fire. Annette was very welcoming and we felt well cared for.
Visited October 2021
Written 31 October 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alison M
1 contribution
AMAZINGGGGGGG!!!
What a beautiful home & area with the kindest, down to earth hosts
We had 3 teenage daughters with us and 2 large borer collie dogs - all made very welcome, and all enjoyed every minute of their stay as did my husband and I
There was plenty do do not more than half an hour away in many directions, with a well stocked garage and country store only 5 mins away by car
There was lots of space for the dogs inside and out and we could not have asked for more amenities and facilities for them! The house itself was spacious and cosy with everything we needed and more
We will definitely be back again
Annette and Ivan where brilliant hosts
Visited August 2020
Written 25 August 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Thanks very much for your lovely review! Very much appreciated!
Written 21 January 2021. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Passenger04538237204
1 contribution
So relaxing!
The property was in a lovely location both spacious and immaculately clean . Convenient to local attractions a perfect place to get away from it all.
Visited July 2020
Written 25 July 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Thank you for your kind review! Much appreciated!
Written 21 January 2021. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Colin G
Hamburg, Germany2 contributions
Perfect facilities for all the family
We arrived and from the outset could see that everything was as we needed it to be. Extremely friendly welcome from Annette, and nothing was too much trouble.
Accommodation is very comfortable, everything we needed was there.
Will stay here again for sure, and highly recommended.
Visited August 2019
Written 14 August 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Thank you Colin for your very kind review. It is much appreciated and we enjoyed having you. Thank you for your care of the property. We would love to have you come again.
Written 26 August 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
75Iain43
Scarborough, United Kingdom10 contributions
Very nice cottage with everything you need for a cottage holiday
The cottage was located about 4 miles from dromara on a farm. Formats has 2 restaurants and a couple of takeaways. Annette recommended another restaurant a couple of miles from the property can't remember the name but it was really lovely. We did all the attractions in Belfast and the giant causeway quite easily by car. If we were in that area again we would certainly stay there again
Visited May 2019
Written 31 May 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. We appreciate it! Enjoyed having you!
Written 11 June 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sightseer825705
2 contributions
Tout le confort souhaité
Situé en pleine campagne, endroit calme, spacieux, confortable et parfaitement équipé. Décoré avec goût par Annette. Idéalement situé pour visiter Belfast et toute la partie sud-est d'Ulster. Annette et Ivan sont d'une très grande gentillesse et disponibles si besoin. Famille de 4 enfants (de 10 à 17 ans), nous n'avons manqué de rien. Nous recommandons.
Visited April 2019
Written 17 May 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Merci beaucoup! C’est tres apprecie!
Written 18 May 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul C
Telford, United Kingdom4 contributions
Beautiful large farmhouse ideally placed for exploring Northern Ireland
Our party of 3 adults and 2 teenagers stayed 5 nights in this beautifully decorated farmhouse and it was plenty big enough for us all to have our own space. It's position makes it ideal for exploring all areas, we visited Dublin, Belfast, Newcastle, Bangor, Lisburn, Strangford and Newtownards to name a few! The Tayto Castle Factory tour in Tandragee and the football tour of Windsor Park in Belfast were both interesting and good value for money. Hosts Annette and Ivan are lovely people and the scones were much appreciated after a long journey there. We would definitely stay there again and have recommended it to family.
Visited April 2019
Written 26 April 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. We appreciate it very much and we enjoyed having you. You are very welcome back.
Written 27 April 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracy M
2 contributions
Cottage Dromara
We enjoyed our holiday at your cottage. We will be coming again soon hopefully. Everything there was just perfect and very quiet and peaceful. Brilliant
Visited March 2019
Written 29 March 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Thanks Tracy and Darryl much appreciated! Annette
Written 31 March 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracy M
2 contributions
Fantastic cottage
The cottage is so comfortable and home from home. Thoroughly clean through out too. We really enjoyed our holiday there and will go there every year. Thank you
Visited March 2019
Written 29 March 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette1151
Thank you very much for your review Tracy and Darry. Very much appreciated. Ivan and Annette.
Written 31 March 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Grove Fort farm is situated in mid to south Down in the rolling Dromara Hills on the edge of the Proposed National Park incorporating the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The source of the Lagan is just a couple of miles away in Slieve Croob Scenic Loop, as is Finnis Souterrain / Binder's Cove and the famous Legananny Dolman. The beautiful scenic drive over the 'Rib' or the 'Windy Gap' will take you to Castlewellan or Newcastle in 20 minutes by car (where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea!) slightly longer if you cycle or the top of the Rib, which is 2 miles away, on a clear day it is possible to see 5 of Northern Ireland's 6 Counties.
The main Dublin / Belfast road is just 6 miles away at Dromore; Belfast can be reached by car in 40 minutes, Dublin in 90 minutes approximately. Larne Port and the International Airport are 50 minutes drive away.
This a lovely part of Co Down. It is both very rural and yet very central. You can feel very much in the country but at the same time a short car journey can take you to most parts of Ireland.
In the day time the birdsong is wonderful, the bleating of lambs in the spring time is refreshing, the yellow whin hedges are so vibrant and the fields so green. The drumlins of Co Down are a real challenge to cyclists even if they are a nightmare to a more casual type of biker!
It is lovely to step outside in the winter night and see the canopy of stars.
The house a Green Tourism classification and the owners have recently World Host recognition for excellent Customer Service.
The accommodation is spacious, fully central heated, free wifi, logs for fire and bed-linen and towels are included in the price. The welcome pack contains tea, coffee, milk, jam, butter and homemade scones. It is a real home from home.
Getting around
As previously stated we are quite rural so driving is the easiest way to get around. Trips to Giants Causeway, Game of Thrones sights and a few other places can be booked for guests but they would have to drive to, for example, Belfast to access these trips.
Access
Car required
How to get there
Guests need to have their own transport to stay in Grove Fort as there is no public transport except school buses twice daily. There is a large private parking space available at the rear of the house. Belfast International Airport is approximately 20 miles away as is the Belfast City Airport. Dublin Airport is slightly over an hour away. Belfast Port is 20 miles away and Larne Port is about 1 hour away. Most guests either drive their own vehicle from GB or Eire or hire a car at the Airport or Port
Activities nearby
Golf course (within 30 mins drive)
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 3 pm • Check out by 10 am
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
100% refund* if you cancel at least 2 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
Notes from owner
A refundable security deposit of £50 is requested with final payment. This is returned to the customer following inspection of the premises and may be retained to cover damages to the property.
About this property
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