LACKAN COTTAGE FARM

Home of Birch Cottage Off Grid Self Catering

Tranquil self catering in the Mournes

You can wake to a view of the beautiful birch woods outside your window, and enjoy the peace and quiet. Here you are surrounded by birdsong, clean air, and wonderful views. Walk in the woods, feed the hens, and enjoy fresh produce from our gardens. Set in the Mournes, Birch Cottage offers luxury self catering with wonderful views of the mountains and woodland.

Some of the most stunning countryside in Northern Ireland is on your doorstep, as is the seaside town of Newcastle. The Mourne Mountains, Tollymore and Castlewellan forest parks, Newcastle beach and stunning Silent Valley are just a short drive away.

Come and stay in Northern Ireland’s only off-grid self catering cottage. Visitors can sample life on our pioneering Green Tourism gold rated smallholding.

The good life experience

We are pioneers of the growing ecotourism and green tourism movement here in the Mournes, Northern Ireland. Consequently, sharing our lifestyle, fresh produce, and experiences with visitors is all part of the unique visitor experience.

Birch Cottage is off grid accommodation without compromise – hand crafted, comfortable, and it has wonderful views. It really is the greenest self catering holiday cottage in Northern Ireland, being Tourism NI 4 star rated, Green Tourism Gold rated and the first Green Key accredited accommodation in Northern Ireland or Ireland.

Birch Cottage self catering

You can unwind and escape to another world here at Birch Cottage. Tucked away near the Mournes, it’s unique, cosy atmosphere is a result of the hand crafted interior. Here, everything has a story and above all is chosen to be natural, which gives the cottage it’s homely feel. If you want a base to explore the Mournes, our self catering cottage has a hand crafted interior and is perfect for a relaxing retreat.

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A little oasis of peace and tranquility! The cottage is a fantastic place to stay and I’ll definitely come back some time to take advantage of the hammocks. Will certainly recommend to everyone.

Catherine

Thank you for a lovely break. The cottage and setting are wonderful. We had a very peaceful and relaxing time, and I even managed to see the Milky Way in October – a bonus. Thank you.

Ayesha and David

Our second visit here is as good as the first. This time we are able to appreciate the woods and the garden in their summer colours with the spectacular backdrop of the Mourne Mountains in the sunshine.

Wendy and Richard

I had a really lovely couple of days here. The cottage and its surrounds has a beautiful atmosphere. I love the wee walk through the bod woodland, and the hammocks.

Anne-Marie

Thank you for an amazing stay. We loved it that much, we stayed an extra night. This cottage has to be our favourite ‘staycation’ to date – the fact that it is an eco cottage just made it that bit better. Wonderful cottage and generous hosts. Thank You.

Nathan and Hannah

Book direct here on the website to get the best rates

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Our story

We are fortunate to have this opportunity and as a result be able to live the way we do. It is becoming increasingly apparent that as a society, we can’t go on the way we have been.Consequently something has to give. As we talk to people, their frustration at inequality and instability is obvious. Furthermore, environmental and economic worries serve to highlight the need for alternative solutions.

Lackan Cottage Farm is our response to that. Consequently, as well as upskilling ourselves to be better able to cope, we are empowering others to do the same. Likewise, we provide self catering accommodation so that they can come and experience it for themselves here in the Mournes. Therefore everything we offer here comes from our own experience and is created to be really special, whether it be a day of winemaking, or the interior of the horsebox. We hope you will love it as much as we do.
Steve & Claire Golemboski-Byrne

Forthcoming events

24

September

2022

Introduction to Homescale Permaculture Design 24-25 September 2022

Lackan Cottage Farm
79 Lackan Rd, Ballyroney, Banbridge BT32 5HR, UK

News and events from Lackan

Round(ish) house project update

Feb 19, 2022 | 2 Comments

After two years I've finally succumbed to covid, so am waiting out my quarantine by updating some of the information on the website. First up is the roundhouse - a project that at one point I thought would never end. After a quick start, the thought of having to sieve...

Celebrating our tenth year with new courses

Feb 18, 2022 | 3 Comments

2022 marks our tenth year here at Lackan Cottage Farm, and a lot has changed, both here at the farm and in the wider world. Much of what we've done here seems very relevant in 2022, and many things that were relatively 'fringe' back in 2012 are becoming mainstream...

Tour and talk at Lackan – 28th May

Feb 15, 2022 | 0 Comments

This is our tenth year here at Lackan. After two years when we've basically been closed down, and the world has changed in many ways it is time to open up again. We've had lots of requests from people to come and look around and ask questions, and this is a great way...

Come and learn

Ever wanted to make your own wine? Grow your own food? How about making your own basket, or a wooden stool? These are the kinds of practical opportunities that we offer on our regular self sufficiency courses, taught by people we respect and who are expert at what they do. In addition we run broader courses in subjects such as Off Grid and ‘DIY’ living, Permaculture and Natural Building where you can discover more about ways to be more self sufficient.