UK – Idyllic getaway for a break in the countryside
The newest hotel in the brand’s UK collection, Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House, has opened its doors. Located a stone’s throw from the historic market town of Dumfries, surrounded by verdant countryside, the hotel offers an idyllic getaway for a break in southern Scotland.
Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House was once the historic family home of Scottish Naval Officer and polar explorer Archibald McMurdo, who accompanied the famous explorer Sir James Ross on his expeditions to discover the South Pole continent. British designers Rob and Katie Matthews of Matthews Mee Design have weaved this illustrious history into the hotel’s design and brought the property’s unique past to life through cleverly associated details, materials and contemporary interpretation. Décor such as cartographic artwork, porthole shaped mirrors, ornate rope lighting and more signify Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House’s historic maritime connections.
Guests are encouraged to discover the fascinating local history behind the building, its former occupants and how it relates to the explorations almost 200 years prior.
The hotel is comprised of two distinct properties – an early to mid-19th century domestic house and a mid to late 20th century extension. The hotel features 61 comfortable bedrooms, ranging from double to superior family rooms. Modern bedrooms are dressed in muted tones, making for a peaceful rest, with contemporary ensuite bathrooms and charming touches throughout. The hotel has excellently appointed communal areas and a flexible event space that can accommodate up to 60 people for conferences, meetings and events.
Portraits, paintings and decorative accents adorn the hotel’s restaurant and bar, where guests can enjoy a taste of the lowlands with hearty dishes inspired by the local area and a wide range of drinks available from the traditional bar.
The hotel is located on the outskirts of Dumfries, just 2.5 miles from the town’s amenities and close to quaint villages, historic castles, and the southwestern coast of Scotland. The enchanting Galloway Forest Park is a 40-minute drive from the hotel and just over the country border, England’s most northerly city Carlisle, is under an hour away by car.
Once home to Royal Navy explorers who set off from the nearby port, Dumfries is situated in the serene and historical lowlands of Scotland. Attracting visitors in search of Scotland’s hidden gems, Dumfries makes for a brilliant short break, whilst being easily accessible from all parts of the UK, flight free.
