Quarry Hill Church gallery Gallery
Quarry Hill Church
Strangford,
Co. Down
Self-catering
+44 (0)7871 094945
Visit owner's website
per night
per week
A deeply thoughtful conversion of an old Presbyterian church with wonderful watery views, much wildlife and plenty of space for joyful times
5 bedrooms
Sleeps 10
Your dates are available!
2 Guests 06 Dec 24 - 06 Dec 24
Direct with the owner
Visit the owner’s chosen website for availability, online booking or contact details.
Enquire through Sawday's
Fill out the enquiry form and we'll pass your questions onto the owner.
What part does Sawday’s play?
£650 per night
£3500 per week
The Experience
The listed 1845 building had been left to crumble when church-goers dwindled. Now it is an award-winning holiday home but still has links to its roots as a place of worship complete with pulpit, working organ and the vast old key to the front door. Light floods in through elegant arched windows, original floorboards glow, there’s plenty of comfy seating in front of the wood-burner or by the TV and you’ll find lots of local books, games, toys and DVDs.
A kitchen for serious cooks will impress even the fussiest – convivial meals can be had at the large dining table, or out on the suntrap side courtyard in the garden with views to the lough and a barbecue. You’re left basics, a bottle of wine and some local treats but you can have an online order unpacked for you.
Sleep deeply in bright, peaceful bedrooms (three downstairs and two up) with well-dressed beds, smart TVs and desks if you need to work – all have green views and sparkling bathrooms.
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We think you'll love
- All the wonderful walks from the door – from gentle loops around the village to serious clambers in the Mourne Mountains
- The feeling of space you have to spread out inside, relaxing, chatting, cooking together, working upstairs or cosying up by the fire to watch a film
- Wild swimming, paddle boarding, catching the ferry over to the Ards Peninsula, spotting dolphins if you're lucky
You should know
- Sorry, no dogs
- There are steps up to the church from the road but an alternative way in can be organised with a bit of notice
Essentials
- EV charger
- Self check-in
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Barbecue
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Electricity included
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Pricing
- Nightly price
- £650
- Weekly price
- £3500
- 1 House for 10
- £6505 bedrooms
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Information
Booking information
- Check in
- 4pm
- Check out
- 11am
- Other details
- Minimum stay: 2 nights, 3 nights in high season.
- Closed
- Never.
- Meals
- Breakfast can be delivered from a local restaurant (Thursday to Sunday).
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Location
The neighbourhood
Less than an hour from Belfast yet in glorious countryside – a heady combination of sea, mountains and forests, teeming with birds, otters, resident dolphins and migratory Brent geese in winter. The village is small but bustling with shops and places to eat and the ferry over to the peninsula goes every half hour for a greater choice. Castle Ward estate (NT) has a fantastic 20-mile trail for walking or cycling.
Local points of interest from Marty Hamill
- The National Trust estate of Castle Ward is right on your doorstep. Famous as the set of Winterfell in Game of Thrones it offers miles of forest and coastal trails, castles, a stately house and gardens and a great NT cafe!
- The village of Strangford has a Viking name meaning "Strong-Fjjord" due to the fast tidal currents. You can take a boat trip from the village harbour and see the amazing Strangford Lough scenery and wildlife up close.
- Strangford is a small picturesque village but you won't be stuck for choice when it comes to food and drink with 3 quality restaurants serving fresh local produce, a homely tearoom and 3 pubs. Plus local independent shops to stock up on essentials.
- The historic local town of Downpatrick (15 mins drive) is famous as the burial place of St Patrick. Here you will find a visitor centre dedicated to Ireland's saint, also a museum and cathedral. Belfast is less than 1 hour, Dublin 2 hours.
- It is a stones throw to the short ferry crossing linking you with the town of Portaferry on the Ards Peninsula. Here you will find Ireland's only aquarium and seal sanctuary, as well as walks, pubs and restaurants.
- Just 25 mins by car takes you into the heart of the majestic Mourne Mountains, inspiration for C.S. Lewis' Narnia. Outdoor pursuits await from the gentle to the hard core!
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Introducing
Marty Hamill
Melanie, who grew up here, and Marty, also fairly local, went to school together. They came to live next door to the church and as an architect and an engineer respectively, they found it heartbreaking to watch it fall to pieces. They did all the project management of the restoration themselves and have laid on everything a super holiday home needs without disturbing the dignity of the building.
I loved this place! So very thoughtfully and cleverly converted while hanging on tightly to the authenticity and original purpose of the building. It's special for owners to care so much about such a precious building and also to think about absolutely everything a guest might want or need. You can tell they really love the place and want guests to love it too – bravo Marty and Melanie!