White Rocks Beach, Portrush
About peatlands
Peatlands is a luxury accommodation retreat offering high-quality shepherd’s hut stays for solo travellers and couples seeking a peaceful escape. Named for the surrounding National Nature Reserve, Peatlands reflects its setting through a thoughtful focus on sustainability, nature connection, and artisan craft.
Peatlands offers year-round overnight stays in two luxury shepherd’s huts, set within three acres of meadow and woodland. Removed from the bustle and crowds, this peaceful hideaway is located just moments from County Antrim’s breathtaking north coast and some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic attractions. Portrush, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, the Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges, and Portstewart are all a short drive away.
Our Huts
There's a kind of magic when you follow the boardwalks through Peatlands' wooded seclusion and step into one of our luxury shepherd's huts - think instant calm, seclusion, peace, comfort, and a sprinkle of joy.
Inside both Curlew Hut and Sundew Hut, we've tried to think of everything you could need for a wonderful stay. With their cosy wood-burning stoves, luxury interiors, king-size beds, en suites with walk-in rainfall showers, and full facilities for self-catering, you'll find in them the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort - and lots of little touches for you to discover and enjoy.
Surrounding the huts and offering views from every window are three acres of mature gardens and woodland, where normally elusive Irish hares can often be seen resting and grazing.
See here for more information on hut amenities.
Our Bakery
Peatlands is home to an award-winning artisan micro-bakery, known for its sourdough bread and handcrafted treats.
Our signature creation, the Peatlands Loaf, won Gold at the prestigious Tiptree World Bread Awards, making it a must-try for bread lovers.
Guests can indulge in a delicious breakfast, featuring our artisan bakery produce alongside thoughtfully prepared breakfast items, using only organic and locally sourced ingredients.
Join our new hands-on Saturday Sourdough Experience - now available to add to your weekend stay!
A note from The owners
“Originally from Portrush (Emma) and Cardiff (Pete), we met in 2015 while living in Oxford. If anyone had told us then that this – Peatlands – would become our life and our passion only a few years later, and with a kid in tow, we’d never have believed it. But life is sometimes mad that way, perhaps especially mid-life.
We created Peatlands in 2024 as a beautiful getaway inside and out, for people who appreciate peace and nature and the kind of understated luxury that feels real and has soul, not just for show.
With professional backgrounds in design engineering and academia, we’ve had a lot to learn, though it seems that “attention to detail” is one of our more useful skills!
Mainly, we bring an overriding value of care to everything we do. We believe care, kindness and integrity matter more than ever and we are pleased to be able to work with many other small businesses who also care about quality, people and nature like we do.
Our hope is that everyone who stays here will feel the benefit of this care, whether in the comforting curves of their magical shepherd’s hut, the warm centre of a freshly baked croissant, or the lush woodland and meadow that shelter and sustain the beautiful Irish hares.
From far or near, for romance or solitude, to rest or roam, we hope to welcome you soon!
Emma, Pete & Zadie x
Peatlands FAQs
Is Peatlands right for me?
· What type of stay is Peatlands best suited for? Peatlands is ideal for guests seeking peace, privacy and comfort in a natural setting, while remaining well placed for exploring the beaches and key visitor sights of the Causeway Coast. The huts are well suited to romantic escapes, solo stays, creative or work retreats, slow, restorative breaks, and small family stays. Fully self-contained, they offer the ease and flexibility of self-catering, alongside the quiet and intimacy of a small, carefully considered site.
Getting here & Practicalities
· How do I get to Peatlands? Peatlands is located near Ballybogey, just off the main road between Ballymoney and Portrush, in a peaceful rural setting close to the Causeway Coast. Detailed directions, access information and check-in instructions are sent to all guests ahead of their stay. While public transport in the immediate area is limited, Ballymoney — approximately 4 miles away — offers regular bus and rail connections to and from Belfast and other destinations. · Is parking available? Yes. Each hut has one allocated parking space, located close to the site entrance, with a short walk to the huts. If you require an additional parking space, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. · What are your check-in and check-out times? Check-in is from 3:30pm, and check-out is by 11:00am on the day of departure.
food, cooking & comfort
· What’s included in the Artisan Bakery Breakfast? Our Artisan Bakery Breakfast is delivered directly to your hut and features thoughtfully prepared, organic and locally sourced ingredients, including pure organic orange juice, organic fruit & seed muesli, organic house-made granola, organic berry compote, Chestnutt’s Farm Greek-style yoghurt, fresh bakes from our on-site bakery (such as croissants, pain au chocolat or cinnamon pastries), Irish fruit jam, organic dairy or oat milk, fairtrade organic coffee and a selection of SUKI teas. Breakfast is priced at £16 per person per night. · What cooking facilities are available? Each hut has a fully equipped kitchenette, including a large under-counter fridge, double induction hob, microwave oven with grill, kettle, toaster, and all cookware and kitchenware. Salt, pepper and a selection of condiments (including local rapeseed oil and balsamic vinegar) are provided in The Nook. Outside, guests can cook over the fire pit using the BBQ grate. Charcoal is available for a small additional charge. A freezer for guest use is located in The Nook. · What are the bathroom facilities and toiletries? Each hut is fully self-contained with a private, enclosed bathroom and electric shower. We provide Faith in Nature shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand wash. · Are the huts suitable for year-round stays? Yes. The huts are fully insulated and designed for all seasons. Each hut has electric heating as well as a cosy wood-burning stove, making them comfortable throughout the year. · Do you provide bed linen, towels and logs? Yes. We provide luxury cotton bed linen, bath towels, and logs, kindling and natural firelighters for the wood-burning stove at no extra charge. Beach towels are also available.
Facilities & shared spaces
· Is Wi-Fi available? Yes. Both huts have ultra-fast wireless internet, suitable for streaming and remote working. · Is there mobile phone reception? Yes, mobile phone reception is available on site. · Are laundry facilities available? Currently there is no washing machine for guest use, but guests can use the washroom and drying facilities in The Nook, our shared space next to the bakery. A heated airer is provided, and ironing facilities are available on request. · Is there secure storage for bicycles or outdoor equipment? Yes. We provide a high-security Asgard locker, suitable for up to two bicycles and accessories. A puncture repair kit is also available for guest use.
Exploring & experiences
· Is the Saturday Sourdough Experience available to non-guests? No. The Saturday Sourdough Experience is exclusively available to guests staying at Peatlands for the weekend. · Are there walks or places to explore nearby? Yes. Peatlands is set in the countryside and sits adjacent to a National Nature Reserve, with peaceful walks directly from the site. Beaches and a range of local sights are also close by. We provide local maps and recommendations, and further details can be found on our Activities page.
Sustainability
· What do you do to support sustainability? Sustainability is at the heart of our ethos at Peatlands. Our approach includes locally sourced and organic food where possible, no single-use plastics, natural and recyclable materials, eco-friendly toiletries and cleaning products, waste separation, compostable bin bags, meadow planting and management for biodiversity, and minimal artificial lighting to protect wildlife. You’ll notice that some areas of the site are intentionally left a little wild. This isn’t neglect — it’s part of our commitment to supporting birds, insects and native plants. We share Peatlands with a rich variety of flora and fauna and take great care to respect and protect the environment we’re lucky to be part of.
Booking & final details
· Is Peatlands suitable for special occasions? Absolutely. Peatlands is a wonderful place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. If you have something in mind, please let us know in advance. You can also add indulgent extras to your stay via the booking page. · Do you offer gift vouchers? Yes, we offer gift vouchers, which make a thoughtful present for a future stay. More information is available in the Gift Vouchers section of the Book page. · Is smoking allowed? Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas. There is no smoking inside the huts. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions (see More page) for full details.
Have another question? If there’s anything you’d like to know before booking, we’d be very happy to help — please get in touch.
stylish comfort & exceptional craftmanship
Each of our luxury shepherd’s huts offers a thoughtfully designed retreat with beautifully crafted interiors.
The private shower room is finished to the highest quality, featuring luxury towels and premium toiletries.
A king-size bed with Mlily mattress and Bedfolk cotton linens help ensure a great night's rest.
The fully equipped kitchen includes a fridge, microwave, oven, double hob, kettle, coffee maker, and toaster. High-quality dishware, glassware, and a fold-out dining table and chairs set the stage for a cosy dining experience.
For added warmth and charm, each hut features a wood-burning stove, an electric heater, and a heated towel rail.
Outside, a private fire pit invites you to unwind under the stars.
Designed with modern living in mind, each hut includes high-speed Wi-Fi, a smart projector/TV for entertainment, as well as free on-site parking. Accommodating a maximum of two guests, these private spaces provide a tranquil escape from the everyday.
Please note that we are unable to accommodate pets in the huts.
