Rocklea Seaside Cottage | Newcastle, County Down | Slieve Donard | Northern Ireland

Customer rating

4.9★

6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Pets No
Show on map

Features

Off road parking
Ground floor accommodation
Ground floor bedroom
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Seaside
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

30 Customer Review(s)

Diane
August 2025

“We had a wonderful stay at this charming cottage.”

The highlight was without a doubt the incredible sea view from the back garden – the perfect spot for morning coffee or watching the seals, porpoises and birds play in the ocean. The cottage itself was cozy, well-kept, and had everything we needed for a relaxing break. Peaceful, private, and beautifully located – we left feeling refreshed and would happily return.

The highlight was without a doubt the incredible sea view from the back garden – the perfect spot for morning coffee or watching the seals, porpoises and birds play in the ocean. The cottage itself was cozy, well-kept, and had everything we needed for a relaxing break. Peaceful, private, and beautifully located – we left feeling refreshed and would happily return.

- Diane, August 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review, Diane! It sounds like you really made the most of the back garden—it's my favorite spot, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the incredible sea view and the wildlife. I'd love to welcome you back again on your next seaside escape. Property Owner
Nicolas August 2025

“We really enjoyed our time at Rocklea.”

It is a great place to stay with great views of the sea. The cottage is very comfortable and well equipped. The location is perfect for exploring the local mountains and the wonderful Newcastle. Pulling out onto the road is best done with someone acting as lookout.

- Nicolas, August 2025

Thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely review, Nick. I’m thrilled you enjoyed your stay at Rocklea and that you loved the sea views and exploring the local area. I appreciate your feedback about pulling out onto the road. I know it can be tricky, which is why I’ve put up a sign and included a note in the welcome pack - it sounds like your lookout system worked perfectly! Property Owner
Andrew July 2025

“A beautiful cottage.”

The views are amazing. Very comfortable stay. A well set up kitchen also which helps with small family. A great base for exploring the local area.

- Andrew, July 2025

Thanks so much for your kind words, Andrew! I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed your stay. I hope to welcome you all back again soon! Property Owner
Stephen July 2025

“Lovely property with excellent views, managed to see dolphins and seals whilst eating breakfast!”

- Stephen, July 2025

What a fantastic review, thank you, Stephen! I’m so glad you enjoyed the cottage and those magical views. I hope to welcome you back again soon! Property Owner
Lamping June 2025

“We were very comfortable in the house.”

The view of the sea is great. The kitchen is good equipped. The beds are good.

- Lamping, June 2025

Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback. I would love to welcome you back in the future! Property Owner
Carol Ann June 2025

“Wonderful stay, great location right by the sea, with lovely views from the kitchen and lounge and very comfortable accommodation .”

With the exception of the upstairs bedroom, of which we had been made aware, the cottage itself was ideal for my mother who has mobility problems. Mary was very responsive to any queries we had, both before and during our stay.

- Carol Ann, June 2025

That's wonderful to hear, Carol Ann! I’m so glad you and your mother enjoyed your stay at the cottage, especially the sea views and comfortable accommodation. I really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again soon! Property Owner
James April 2025

“We had a fabulous week at Rocklea.”

The weather was mixed but whatever the weather, the views were beautiful. The new sofas in the living room were very comfortable and we really appreciated the welcome box of supplies on arrival. The cottage had character and charm and was an excellent base for visiting the Mournes, Strangford Lough, and Belfast. There are lots of good eateries in the town of Newcastle and some beautiful walks not too far away including the Silent Valley Reservoir, Tollymore Forest Park and Castlewellan Park.

- James, April 2025

So glad you had a fabulous week at Rocklea, James. It sounds like you made the most of the beautiful views and enjoyed exploring the area. We're delighted you found the new sofas comfortable and appreciated the welcome box. Thanks for your lovely review! Property Owner
Jennifer April 2025

“What a wonderful stay at Rocklea.”

The setting is amazing with views across the sea, which we enjoyed from both inside and out in the garden. The lounge is large and comfy, as are the three bedrooms. The house is very convenient to the lovely town of Newcastle. This is definitely not a property for anyone with mobility issues and great care is needed when driving out onto the main road. We absolutely loved our stay at Rocklea. Would love to return!

- Jennifer, April 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Jennifer! I’m so delighted you enjoyed the amazing setting and views at Rocklea, found it comfortable, and appreciated the convenience to Newcastle. I appreciate your feedback regarding accessibility and the driveway – these details are indeed noted in the welcome pack. I hope to welcome you back to Rocklea again in the future! Property Owner
Helen March 2025

“Fantastic location, amazing views from the house.”

Really well equipped kitchen, cosy, comfortable rooms. Owner extremely helpful & easily contactable.

- Helen, March 2025

Hi Helen, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure hosting you, and I hope you will visit again soon! Property Owner
Gaea February 2025

“We’ve just returned from the most wonderful stay at this holiday cottage in Northern Ireland, and to be honest, we almost don’t want to write a review because it’s such a hidden gem!”

But here goes. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the incredibly friendly host, who made us feel right at home. It’s clear they take great pride in their property, and it’s reflected in every detail. The cottage itself is warm, cosy, and beautifully decorated, with just the right balance of modern comfort and rustic charm. The living room, with its inviting fireplace, was the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring. And the view—wow. Waking up to the sound of the sea and watching the waves roll in from the windows was absolutely magical. We spent hours just gazing out over the water, feeling totally at peace. We almost want to keep this little place to ourselves, but we know it deserves to be shared. So, if you're lucky enough to book it, enjoy it as much as we did!

- Gaea, February 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Gaea. I’m thrilled you enjoyed your stay at my seaside cottage and that it provided such a memorable experience. I hope to welcome you back again soon! Property Owner
Ian August 2024

“We loved this beautiful cottage from the moment we walked in!”

It's really homely and welcoming, and we enjoyed a wonderful and very special week there. The sea views are stunning, the best we've ever had from a holiday cottage, and it was magical to watch the sunrise over the bay. We could easily have stayed in all day just looking at the view. However, we tore ourselves away as Rocklea is ideally located for exploring this beautiful area, and we very much enjoyed the Mournes, Tollymore, Murlough, Silent Valley and Castlewellan Country Park. Also, the coastal path from Bloody Bridge has fabulous views out to sea. The cottage is well equipped, cosy and very comfortable and we would highly recommend it. We couldn't have asked for more. Thank you, Mary, for all your kindness and helpfulness to us, which we really appreciate. Jo and Ian

- Ian, August 2024

Thank you so much for your lovely review, Jo and Ian! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed your stay at my cottage. I’m glad you found the views as breathtaking as my family and I do and that the cottage provided a comfortable and cosy base for your explorations. I hope to welcome you back in the future! Property Owner
Lucy August 2024

“Rocklea cottage was fantastic- perfect location, well equipped and very homely.”

The view is just stunning and we saw some lots of wildlife including seals. The cottage owner was very helpful and responsive when needed. My family and I really hope to make a return visit.

- Lucy, August 2024

I'm so glad you and your family had a wonderful time at the cottage, Lucy. It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the location, amenities, and the stunning views. I'm particularly delighted that you spotted some seals - what a special experience! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a positive review. It means a lot and I really hope to welcome you back to Rocklea Cottage in the future. Property Owner
Linda August 2024

“This is a supurb sea view cottage and we had a magical stay here!”

The sea is ever-present, from early morning sunrise over the sea, to nature spotting - all manner of sea birds and even dolphins - to a view of the Isle of Man on a clear day. The area is simply gorgeous with the Mourne mountains, a Forest Park, National Trust blue flag beach and nature reserve and a lovley seaside town. We hope to return! There has been a lot of care to provide everything a visitor could need in a home away from home. Photos of the owners as children visiting are a touching addition. Thank you for an excellent stay!

- Linda, August 2024

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Linda. I’m absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a magical stay. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed the stunning sea views, the wildlife sightings, and the peaceful atmosphere. I’m glad that the cottage provided everything you needed for a comfortable and enjoyable holiday. Thank you again for choosing my cottage and for taking the time to share your experience. I hope to welcome you back in the future! Property Owner
Phil August 2024

“The cottage is in a delightful location with the main rooms all overlooking the lovely sunny garden which is framed (but not heavily shaded) by two mature maritime pines and slopes down to the steep rocky sea shore.”

The cottage is lovely, very comfortable and fully equipped with everything one could need. The large kitchen overlooks the picture book garden and seascape. A really pleasant backdrop for meals at the kitchen table. At night the distant lighthouse at St John's Point sweeps its friendly beam across the sea. Idyllic!

- Phil, August 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words, Phil. I'm delighted that you and your family enjoyed your stay at the cottage. It's my goal to provide a peaceful and comfortable retreat, and it sounds like I achieved that. I hope to welcome you back in the future! Property Owner
Richard June 2024

“This is a lovely house and the setting and views are superb.”

The facilities were everything we could wish for. It is shown as suitable for up to 6 guests, and is ideal for three with the bedrooms on the ground floor. The staircase to the first floor (beds for three more) would be tricky for some people, but the view from there is breathtaking.

- Richard, June 2024

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Richard. I’m glad you found the facilities perfect and enjoyed the stunning views. That’s great feedback about the bedrooms being ideal for 3 on the ground floor. It’s helpful for future guests to realise the stairs to the family room might be a challenge, but the view is definitely worth it! Property Owner
Terry May 2024

“We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful cottage, really lovely and relaxing place.”

Gorgeous views overlooking the sea, very comfortable and convenient to lots of attractions. Welcome pack much appreciated, highly recommend this cottage. One place in particular to visit is Tollymore Forest Park, just a short distance away, it's absolutely magical. Thank you Mary for allowing us to enjoy your beautiful cottage and for all your help and recommendations. Looking forward to coming back at some stage in the future. Terry.

- Terry, May 2024

Thank you, Terry! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at the cottage. Tollymore is a great recommendation, isn't it? I hope to see you back again soon. Property Owner
Ken May 2024

“The cottage is in a lovely area with beautiful views out of the windows.”

It was very welcoming and comfortable with everything we needed. Ken and Maureen.

- Ken, May 2024

Thank you, Maureen and Ken, for your kind words and for choosing my cottage! I'm delighted you found it comfortable and enjoyed the beautiful views. Property Owner
Andrew March 2024

“Excellent cottage with amazing views.”

Nothing missing or lacking from the cottage. Very peaceful and comfortable.

- Andrew, March 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words and perfect 5-star rating! We're thrilled that you enjoyed your stay and found the cottage to be clean, comfortable, and well-equipped. We hope to welcome you back again soon! Property Owner
Trey March 2024

“Fantastic place to stay!”

The views from nearly every room out to the sea were breathtaking, the kitchen was comfortable and well-equipped, and the proximity to town was convenient. Pulling onto the road was slightly blind and a little tricky, but we didn’t have any issues. Additionally, one bathroom was difficult for our group, but we knew to expect that from the listing. It was such an enjoyable and beautiful cottage that was clean and bright.

- Trey, March 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review of your stay at the Cottage, Trey. I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed the breathtaking views, comfortable kitchen, and convenient location. A seaside escape is all about relaxation, and I'm glad the Cottage provided a beautiful and bright space for you to unwind. I completely understand your point about the driveway exit being a bit tricky. Even with the wide gates and traffic mirror, it can be a blind spot. That's why I always recommend, whenever possible, for guests to have someone guide them out onto the road for extra safety. I'm so glad it didn't cause any problems for you during your stay. Thank you again for your kind words and feedback. I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to the Cottage one day! Property Owner
Brendan November 2023

“The cottage was exactly as described online, indeed in real life it exceeded our expectations.”

The Welcome Pack is a nice gesture. The location right on the water's edge, with full views of Dundrum Bay and St John's lighthouse flashing in the distance, is absolutely fabulous. The cottage is fully equipped for all needs and wants, and is most comfortable for relaxing and sleeping. I really can't recommend it highly enough. The full five stars in my book!

- Brendan, November 2023

Thank you very much for your wonderful review, Brendan. It is very much appreciated and I look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Property Owner
Stephen October 2023

“Great location.”

Lots of local amenities and attractions Lovely comfy well equipped cottage, welcome pack much appreciated Happy to recommend and will return,

- Stephen, October 2023

Stephen, thank you so much for your glowing review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the cottage's location, amenities, and comfort. I hope to welcome you back again soon. Property Owner
Russell October 2023

“This has been one of the best places we have stayed.”

The location is amazing and, for us, the property was like a home. We felt settled within minutes of arriving. Everything was where we would have expected it to be and nothing was missing.

- Russell, October 2023

Thank you so much for this lovely review, Russell. It means a lot to know that you felt the cottage was like a home away from home and I hope you will visit again soon. Property Owner
Peter September 2023

“We enjoyed a wonderful week at Rocklea Seaside Cottage.”

Whatever the weather, the view over the sea is stunning. The cottage is warm and comfortable to just sit and relax, but there are many places of interest to visit within a short travelling distance. Thank you Mary for the kind and thoughtful welcome pack and your helpful advice. We look forward to planning a return visit.

- Peter, September 2023

Thank you, Peter, for your wonderful feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at the cottage, especially the sea view. The local area has something to offer everyone, so I hope you'll visit again soon! Property Owner
Gloria September 2023

“An absolutely beautiful stay in a charming cottage.”

A huge thanks to the owner for the welcome package and her care in general towards us. The cottage is set against the backdrop of the open sea,beautiful sunrises and amazing wildlife. Highly recommended stay.

- Gloria, September 2023

Dear Gloria, thank you for your lovely review. It was a pleasure to host you and I hope that you will visit again soon. Property Owner
Frank August 2023

“Some areas of the cottage were dusty and in one bedroom we found some ones under pants and socks in a drawer.”

- Frank, August 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I'm sorry to hear that some areas of the cottage were dusty and that you found some clothes in a drawer. I take guest satisfaction very seriously, and I apologize that your experience didn't meet your expectations. I've asked my cleaning crew to be more thorough in their cleaning, and I've also instructed them to remove any personal belongings from the bedrooms before guests arrive. I hope you'll give me another chance to host you in the future. I've made some changes to the cleaning procedures, and I'm confident that you'll have a much better experience next time. Property Owner
Suzanne August 2023

“We had a lovely relaxing holiday at your cottage.”

The welcome pack was really nice, everything was clean and the towels were so soft, gorgeous hotel quality. We would definitely recommend this very welcoming, homely cottage with amazing views. Suzanne

- Suzanne, August 2023

Thank you for your lovely comments. I take pride in making sure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable holiday, so it means a lot to hear that you were happy with everything and would recommend the cottage to others. Property Owner
Susan July 2023

“We loved our stay here and would definitely go back.”

Perfect location with stunning views. Comfy beds and pillows. Kitchen has everything we needed and there was a lovely welcome package. Great communication throughout.

- Susan, July 2023

Thank you for your wonderful feedback. It means a lot to me to know that you had a great stay. I hope you'll come back and visit us again soon! Property Owner
Kevin July 2023

“Lovely well equipped cottage with fabulous sea views.”

Would highly recommend.

- Kevin, July 2023

Thank you for your lovely review. I'm so glad that you enjoyed your stay and found the cottage to be well-equipped and with fabulous sea views. it is certainly a very special place and it is always rewarding to hear positive feedback from guests. I am delighted that you would highly recommend the cottage to others. This is the highest compliment you could give, and I'm grateful for your support. I hope that you will visit again soon. Property Owner
Russell June 2023

“A wonderful seaside cottage offering excellent facilities with a helpful and accommodating host.”

Spectacular views but access to the sea is not really possible from the property as the coastline at this point is steep and rocky.

- Russell, June 2023

Thank you for your lovely feedback. I am glad you enjoyed your stay. The panoramic views across Dundrum Bay are certainly spectacular but the coastline is steep and rocky at points. For this reason, the rock pools and waterfall are best admired from a safe distance; even experienced wild swimmers wearing aqua shoes with grip find them tricky to exit. A much safer option is the slipway at Newcastle Harbour (just one mile from the cottage) where sea swimmers meet most mornings. In addition, there are picturesque, sandy beaches nearby at Murlough and Minerstown that are ideal for open-water beginners. Property Owner
Francis April 2023

“The owner was there to greet us and the Welcome box was magnificent.”

She did research on local music events which were perfect!

- Francis, April 2023

Thank you so much for your lovely comments and I am so pleased that you enjoyed the local music scene! I really hope to be able to welcome you again in the future. Property Owner

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Summary

Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor twin, 1 x ground-floor single, 1 x family room with double and single
Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
Kitchen/diner
Utility area in garage.
Central heating
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer
TV, WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Off-road, gated parking
Enclosed rear garden with lawn and furniture overlooking the sea
Garage with washing machine, tumble dryer and additional fridge/freezer
Sorry, no pets and no smoking
Pub and Shop 1 mile
Note: There are steps down into the garden and up into the property, please take care
Note: There are open-tread stairs in this property please take care
Please note: between June and September property can only accept 7 night minimum stay.

The property

Nestled in rural Northern Ireland on the outskirts of the charming, coastal town of Newcastle in County Down is Rocklea Seaside Cottage.

This wonderful, holiday home benefits from a breath-taking location with views of the Irish Sea and the summit of Slieve Donard as well as, off-road, gated parking, an enclosed, sea facing garden and a welcoming interior completed by three bedrooms; the perfect choice for families or friends looking to explore the wonders of Northern Ireland.

Cross the threshold into your new home-from-home and locate the sitting room where the sea view from the large bay window is guaranteed to impress, unwind here before heading into the fully-equipped kitchen/diner to prepare dinner.

Sample your culinary creations around the dining table or venture outside to dine alfresco whilst the Irish Sea provides an unbeatable backdrop.

Admire the sun as it dips behind the horizon before heading back inside to wash off the day’s adventure in the shower room ready to slope off to sleep in either the ground-floor twin or single or the family room with double and single on the first floor.

If you can tear yourself away from this idyllic dwelling, take a short drive along the coast into the heart of Newcastle where you can stock up on all of your self-catering essentials at local stores or enjoy a well-earned break from the kitchen with a meal out at Brunels or Villa Vinci which both serve delicious food.

While away your days upon the glorious shores of Newcastle Beach where you can enjoy leisurely walks in the sea air and admire sea vistas.

Keen ramblers can venture inland to Tollymore Forest Park to meander the abundance of walking trails or the brave among you can try to summit Slieve Donard which rewards guests with panoramic views across Northern Ireland.

Thrilling watersports such as banana boating, wet river bouldering, yachting and open water canoeing await in Warrenpoint at Carlingford Lough.

Make unforgettable memories at Rocklea Seaside Cottage.

Please note: between June and September property can only accept 7 night minimum stay.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £350.

About the location

NEWCASTLE, COUNTY DOWN

Castlewellan 4 miles; Downpatrick 12.4 miles; Newry 21.2 miles

Nestled on the coast, overlooking the Irish Sea near Castlewellan and Newry is Newcastle in County Down. The town dates back to 1588 and is named after the castle that was once here at the mouth of the Shimna River; today the town markets itself as the activity resort for Northern Ireland thanks to its fun-filled promenade and beach. Find a variety of local stores in the town along with pubs and restaurants including Percy French Inn, Quinns Bar and Diamond Pats; ideal for when you need a break from the kitchen. Spend sunny days upon the golden shores of Newcastle Beach which boasts fabulous views across the Irish Sea, test out your swing at Royal County Down Golf Club or take advantage of the myriad of walks and through the National Trust, Murlough National Nature Reserve. History is woven throughout the surrounding countryside including the breath-taking ruins of Dundrum Castle, the Gothic Inch Abbey, the Royal Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and the National Trust site of Castle Ward. Venture further afield to reach Belfast which is bursting at the seams with museums and attractions. Explore all this and more from Newcastle in County Down.

Please note: between June and September property can only accept 7 night minimum stay.

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“We had a wonderful stay at this charming cottage.”

“We really enjoyed our time at Rocklea.”

“A beautiful cottage.”

“Lovely property with excellent views, managed to see dolphins and seals whilst eating breakfast!”

“We were very comfortable in the house.”

“Wonderful stay, great location right by the sea, with lovely views from the kitchen and lounge and very comfortable accommodation .”

“We had a fabulous week at Rocklea.”

“What a wonderful stay at Rocklea.”

“Fantastic location, amazing views from the house.”

“We’ve just returned from the most wonderful stay at this holiday cottage in Northern Ireland, and to be honest, we almost don’t want to write a review because it’s such a hidden gem!”

“We loved this beautiful cottage from the moment we walked in!”

“Rocklea cottage was fantastic- perfect location, well equipped and very homely.”

“This is a supurb sea view cottage and we had a magical stay here!”

“The cottage is in a delightful location with the main rooms all overlooking the lovely sunny garden which is framed (but not heavily shaded) by two mature maritime pines and slopes down to the steep rocky sea shore.”

“This is a lovely house and the setting and views are superb.”

“We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful cottage, really lovely and relaxing place.”

“The cottage is in a lovely area with beautiful views out of the windows.”

“Excellent cottage with amazing views.”

“Fantastic place to stay!”

“The cottage was exactly as described online, indeed in real life it exceeded our expectations.”

“Great location.”

“This has been one of the best places we have stayed.”

“We enjoyed a wonderful week at Rocklea Seaside Cottage.”

“An absolutely beautiful stay in a charming cottage.”

“Some areas of the cottage were dusty and in one bedroom we found some ones under pants and socks in a drawer.”

“We had a lovely relaxing holiday at your cottage.”

“We loved our stay here and would definitely go back.”

“Lovely well equipped cottage with fabulous sea views.”

“A wonderful seaside cottage offering excellent facilities with a helpful and accommodating host.”

“The owner was there to greet us and the Welcome box was magnificent.”

Summary

The property

About the location

NEWCASTLE, COUNTY DOWN