Bay Cottage Bed and Breakfast was opened by Elizabeth McBride in 2010. The establishment is situated just off Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. A total of three units are offered for guest reservations, two of which are guestrooms on the second story of the building, while the other is a one-bedroom apartment. Breakfast is complimentary to those who are staying in the two guestrooms. All of the breakfast dishes consist of locally produced ingredients, and Elizabeth notes that she can accommodate dietary restrictions if necessary. The property is within reach of several places including the historic market town of Antrim which has one of only two Round Towers in Northern Ireland and the Antrim Castle Grounds and is only 30 minutes drive from Belfast and an hour from the Giant’s Causeway.
Located in the central region of Northern Ireland, the Bay Cottage Bed and
Breakfast is situated on about half of an acre. Two bedrooms, referred to as
The Blue Room and The Green Room, and a one-bedroom apartment are
all available for guest reservations. Elizabeth McBride, the current owner of
the establishment, describes the bed and breakfast as an "old house" and
she mentions that the "furniture is what we would call classic." A number of
paintings can be found decorating the interior of the building, as well as
antique furniture throughout the house. These details are, in Elizabeth's
opinion, why the overall character of the house is "not a generic look." Aside
from the units that guests can reserve, other common areas of the bed
and breakfast include the dining room, where breakfast is served, and a
sitting room.
Both the Blue Room and the Green Room can be found on the second story
of the building. Concerning amenities, The Blue Room is the larger of the
two rooms, featuring an ensuite bathroom and a King Size bed. The Green
Room offers a private bathroom across the corridor from the room so it is not
ensuite. The Green Room, though it may be smaller in comparison to The
Blue Room, has a double bed and a single bed and both are available for
occupants to utilize during their stay. The third and alternative option, apart
from the guestrooms, is the six-hundred-square-foot apartment that
includes its own private entrance. Some of the amenities offered in this unit
include one bedroom, a bath and shower room, and a living/kitchen area.
Those who choose to book the one-bedroom apartment are still given the
option to have breakfast, though they must pay an additional fee. Inside
every room, there are what Elizabeth calls "hospitality trays" with coffee,
tea, and sugar.
Breakfast comes with the total cost of the stay for those who rent out The
Blue Room and The Green Room; however, as previously mentioned,
occupants of the one-bedroom apartment must pay an additional fee
should they choose to have breakfast. Elizabeth remarks that they can
accommodate dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or vegan, for
example, though visitors must let her know about such dietary needs in
advance. Due to the fact that Elizabeth makes traditional Irish bread, which
is uniquely made, she mentions that guests must tell her what time, between
7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, that they would like their breakfast to be served so
that she knows when to start cooking the bread. Other breakfast options
that one can expect to be served are scrambled eggs with smoked
salmon and bagels with cream cheese plus bacon or of course the classic
Irish breakfast. Both orange and noncitric fruit juices are also available to
guests. These meals are made with locally produced free-range eggs and
bacon and sausage from free-range pigs.
For an additional charge, Elizabeth can also arrange dinners for guests.
Those who purchase the dinner are given a set menu with various options.
Some of the more popular dinner items are chicken in a creamy onion
sauce, cottage pie, and traditional stew, depending on the time of year.
Elizabeth says that for patrons who are hoping to eat "something as Irish as
possible," she may serve leaf and potato soup, apple crumble, and other
items. Guests are asked to select the same dishes if more than one person
is dining.
Guests can engage in a few on-site activities throughout the duration of
their time at the bed and breakfast. A couple of examples of such activities
include board games and watching TV, among others. Patrons may also
have access to the collection of books that the property contains. The
books can be read in the bedrooms or guests can use the chair provided.
Outside the establishment, the yard space has a seating area with picnic
tables. Elizabeth notes that if visitors would like a cup of tea while they're
enjoying the seating area, then she can provide them with such. Across
from the house is a three-acre field with a number of trees. To
the left of this field, several woodland areas characterize the land.
Moreover, at the end of the garden area on the premises, Lough Neagh
covers a considerable expanse. According to Elizabeth, Lough Neagh is "the
largest freshwater lake in the United Kingdom." It should also be noted that
visitors can engage in birdwatching during their stay, as the area is home
to an "interesting range of birds," as reported by Elizabeth.
A few notable policies are implemented at Bay Cottage Bed and Breakfast,
which guests must act in accordance with, for example, it is illegal to
smoke in B&Bs, hotels, or other accommodation facilities in Northern Ireland.
Pets are also prohibited from staying at the bed and breakfast. Overall,
Elizabeth, the owner, primarily hopes that patrons will "leave the room in a
tidy fashion" at the conclusion of their stay.
The owner has the goal of creating a "relaxing but friendly" atmosphere.
She wants her guests to feel "welcomed and comfortable." In an effort to
provide this experience for her patrons, Elizabeth tries to make sure that
every guest is "warmly greeted and welcomed into the house." She also
intends to "explain how things work and tell them that if they need any help
to let [her] know." With regard to interacting with her guests, Elizabeth
comments that she socializes with them "as little or as much as they want."
One of the most notable aspects that the Bay Cottage Bed and Breakfast is
generally known for is the provided breakfast. A fair amount of reviews
comment on this feature, as well as the bedding that is provided. "Most
people seem to have a good night's sleep," Elizabeth explains. One
particular review from a previous guest reflects this point as they state, "The owner Elizabeth is very friendly. Lovely sized bedroom with clean
bedding and comfortable pillows."
Bay Cottage Bed and Breakfast is open year-round with the busiest season
of operation typically occurring from mid-July to the beginning of
September. During Christmas and New Year's Day, the bed and breakfast is
not available for reservations. The majority of previous guests have
reportedly discovered the property through booking.com, according to
Elizabeth. In terms of demographics, couples who are in their late forties
and older constitute most of those who visit the property.
The area in which the Bay Cottage Bed and Breakfast is located is relatively
rural. Aside from this, the establishment is among several touristic draws
and attractions. Situated about five miles from the property is the historic
market town of Antrim. Crumlin, another nearby town, also contains a
considerable number of pubs and is located approximately five miles
away from Bay Cottage Bed and Breakfast. Several tourists also come to
the area to watch the motorbike races that are occasionally held nearby.
Some of the attractions that Elizabeth recommends to her guests are the
Antrim Castle Grounds, World of Owls, and the Ulster Aviation Society
museum. Concerning places to eat, Elizabeth tends to direct her patrons to
Sleepy Hollow, The Crooked Glen, and a Vietnamese-influenced restaurant
called Bam Boy or The Fiddlers Pub in Crumlin.
Prior to becoming a bed and breakfast, the Bay Cottage property had
functioned as a farmhouse. The house itself dates back to the beginning of
the 19th century. Throughout its earlier history, the acreage had an orchard
and a barn. Elizabeth and her husband purchased the property in 1993 at
the time of their marriage. In 2010 it was changed to include the B&B.
Elizabeth says as she recalls what led her into the lodging industry. She
feels that being a bed and breakfast host is a suitable job for her as she
mentions, "I like talking to people and I'm a reasonable cook." Elizabeth
attributes much of her success to the principle of "building up a presence."
One of the owner's favorite parts of her job is "talking to people about
Northern Ireland." She further explains that she knows of several places and
"things you could miss out on" that first-time visitors may not be aware of,
and she enjoys sharing that info with her patrons.
Since Elizabeth first gained ownership of the property, the bed and
breakfast has undergone several renovations. The house separates into
two with guest accommodation on one side and family accommodation
on the other. Other updates include reroofing, adding new windows and a
new bathroom, redoing the kitchen, creating a new bedroom and shower
room, transitioning the hayloft from storage space to an apartment, and
adding a shed for bike rentals, plus a number of other changes. The
garden area was also redone as it used to be a concrete yard.
61 Loughview Rd
Aldergrove, Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
Bed and Breakfast
Elizabeth McBride
