A modern, beautifully designed tourist board certified cottage located in Helen’s Bay; named by 'The Times' as Northern Ireland's 'Best place to live.'
Situated just 5 minutes walk from a sandy beach & walking trails at Crawfordsburn Country Park.
1 minute walk to the train station- links to Belfast. Ideally located to explore County Down and beyond, The Studio Helen’s Bay is a Northern Ireland Tourist Board certified, luxury holiday cottage.
The interior has been thoughtfully curated to create a tranquil, relaxed space with a private courtyard garden.
As seen in 91 Magazine’s ‘Places to Stay’ book, featuring some of the most stylish accommodation in the UK. Featured in Interior Design magazines, House & Home and Ireland’s Homes Interiors and Living.
The Living Space
-Large open plan living space with high wood panelled ceiling, solar powered skylights, double French doors opening out on to a private courtyard garden.
-Furnished with comfortable seating, the sofa turns into a sofa bed if required
-Samsung Frame Smart TV
-Eco friendly bioethanol stove
-A small honesty bar stocked for a welcome drink
-A large refectory style dining table with seating for four
Bedroom
-Features high ceilings with solar powered sky lights, and pretty views of nearby Church from the window
-Comfortable kingsize sustainably sourced Warren Evans bed.
-Bed linen, robes and extra blankets provided.
-Roberts radio (Bluetooth enabled) and alarm clock
Hallway
-Includes entrance porch, with welcome tray stocked with up to date local tourist information and recommendations.
-Furnished with carefully curated local art.
-Yoga mats and beach towels can be borrowed from the refurbished church bench in the hallway.
Kitchen
-Equipped kitchen with kettle, toaster, microwave combination oven (there is no standard oven), dual gas hob, fridge freezer, KitchenAid blender.
-Lavazza coffee machine and cafetière
-Breakfast table seating area
-We work with artisan producers to provide all our guests with a light, seasonal, locally sourced/homemade breakfast arrival pack, included in the price of your stay
-Washer dryer, laundry facilities available
Bathroom
-WC, bath, shower and wash hand basin
-Eco friendly, locally sourced zero waste toiletries
-Towels provided
Outside space
-Private courtyard garden with outdoor fire pit and bbq
-Outdoor seating, cushions and blankets provided.
-Plentiful parking space
-The Studio is located in the grounds of our family home in a quiet, residential area. If you wish to party the night away, this isn’t the place for you.
Amenities
-Super fast Fibrus Wifi
-Energy efficient underfloor heating throughout
-Detailed guest arrival book with local recommendations, suggested itineraries
-All cleaning products are eco friendly, zero waste refills, sourced in a closed loop system
-Dyson vacuum
-Travel cot, change mat, booster seat, baby equipment available on request
Our location
Positioned on a quiet residential street, in the grounds of our family home (one of the oldest original properties in Helen’s Bay) our modern cottage is ideally located, just a few steps from the sandy beach at Helen’s Bay, the North Down coastal path, and walking trails at Crawfordsburn Country Park
The Studio offers a perfect base to explore the North Down Coast, Strangford Lough, and Belfast. Helen’s Bay train station is 1 minute's walk away with trains getting you to Belfast City Centre in 20 minutes.
We’re conveniently placed for guests attending weddings in The Old Inn at Crawfordsburn, events at the SSE arena and just 15 minutes drive from George Best Belfast City Airport.
Guest access
The Studio is a fully self contained building within the secure boundaries of our family home. All rooms and a dedicated courtyard garden area are completely private and exclusively for guest use.
Other things to note
The Studio is the perfect place for couples, new parents or those travelling alone and wanting a secure cottage. Immerse yourself in the local culture, whether it be a pottery class, sunrise yoga with ocean views or a paddle board lesson on Bangor beach. End the day by picking up some of the areas distilled craft spirits or locally brewed craft ale to enjoy on the patio.
Local activities:
On the beach there is the opportunity to hire paddle-boards and book sunrise/sunset yoga and Ocean dip experiences. Boat charters for fishing or wildlife cruises are available a few miles down the coast at Donaghadee. Helens Bay golf club is situated a short walk away, with bar & restaurant access included in green fee's and offering one of the most stunning views in the area.
Walking and exploring:
Access to Crawfordsburn Country park is a few hundred metres away and affords over 3.5 km of beach and riverside rambles. With spectacular scenery and views across Belfast Lough, tranquil walks through peaceful meadows, wooded glens and a stunning waterfall.
The Park is intersected by the North Down Coastal Path which takes you out to Bangor, Ballyholme Bay, the fishing villages of Groomsport and finishes at National Trust Orlock Point.
Fine Dining:
‘The Old Inn’ in nearby Crawfordsburn has been in situ since 1614, hosted CS Lewis on his honeymoon and continues to offer one of the best dining experiences in Northern Ireland. The pub / bar area is also a great place to stop in for a cosy fireside drink.
Further afield:
Helens Bay train station can take you east to the Victorian Seaside town of Bangor where you can visit an extensive range of restaurants, bars and venues. Or follow the trainline West to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum in Cultra, the affluent commuter town of Holywood or the City offerings of Belfast in just 20 minutes.
if travelling by car the fishing town of Donaghadee, further East of Bangor is well worth a visit; boasting a pretty harbour, 19th Century lighthouse and the newly established Copeland Distillery.
To the South follow Strangford Lough, to reach the National Trust sites of Mountstewart estate (ancestral home to the Londonderry family) and Castle Ward (Winterfell from HBO's Games of Thrones). The pretty towns of Comber, Greyabbey, Portaferry and Stangford are all within 1hrs drive.
