A newly built four season cottage in a peaceful country setting.

Delight in elegant country charm and sweeping valley views in this Craftsman-style guest cottage just 1.5 miles from the town of Ganges, B.C.

Newly built, the comfortable well appointed rooms enhance the serenity of this private ADULT ORIENTED cottage. Surrounded by old growth forest, arbutus and 15 acres of sweeping pasture, you can sit back and observe the horses graze, the deer run free and the native hummingbirds flit from flower to nest.

The cottage offers european linens, a queen size bed, WIFI, TV/DVD, a private full bathroom with heated floor, W/D and a private deck for sipping morning coffee or afternoon cocktails.

The central location provides a 25 minute walk to quaint shops and award-winning restaurants. Shuttle service can be provided for airport or ferry pick up.

Personalized vacation planning by arranging bike rentals, sidecar tours, horse drawn carriage rides or kayak rentals can all be prepared in advance promising you a romantic, stress-free getaway!

Thistle Dew Guest Cottage is a romantic couples getaway. A pull out bed is available for two additional guests at $25 extra per person.

Your Hostess is Pauline McDonald who homesteaded the property in 1978. a Native of Dorset, England her passion is gardening/landscaping, baking, birdwatching, knitting and is a recently retired sailor.

Pauline roams the property with her feline companion Lucy, hunting for fallen bird nests and planning artistic garden design.

Lucy the cat is a recent addition who adopted Pauline this spring, she is a typical grey tabby that loves the outdoors. If you like cats, you may be able to coax her onto your lap in the garden.

P 250.537.5257 | E info@thistledewsaltspring.com

720 LOWER GANGES ROAD | SALT SPRING ISLAND, BC | V8K 2N5 | MAP

Getting to the Island

By Boat

Salt Spring is served by BC Ferries with three terminals on the island: Long Harbour (from Vancouver), Fulford Harbour (from Swartz Bay) and Vesuvius (from Crofton).

By Air

From Vancouver there are three air companies with direct service: Saltspring Air, SeaAir, and Harbour Air fly into Ganges Harbour. Kenmore Air flies from Seattle. Salt Spring also has a government wharf and private marina for those arriving by boat.

A pickup service is available for stress-free arrival to Thistle Dew Guest Cottage.

For our opening season we are offering the following rate specials

• Rates HIGH-SEASON (April to October) $150 per night. 950 per week. LOW SEASON (November- March) $130 per night. $810 per week.
• Weekly Rates available.
• Each additional guest up to two is $25 each night.
• Check in time is from 3:00 pm unless by special arrangement. Check out time is 11 am.

Reservations

At the time of booking, a 50% deposit or one night’s payment, whichever is greater, is required.

Contact us for reservations at info@thistledewsaltspring.com

Cancellation Policy

Deposit is refundable up to 14 days prior to scheduled arrival date, less $40- administration fee. If cancelling within 72 hours the deposit is non refundable, unless we can fill your reservation.

NON-SMOKING COTTAGE

Special Diets

When making reservations, let us know, and we will endeavour to cater to your special diet needs.

We are sorry that due to insurance considerations, we are unable to accept children or pets at this time.

AVAILABILITY CALENDAR

ABOUT SALTSPRING

Salt Spring Island is the largest island of the Southern Gulf Islands, located off the south-eastern coast of Vancouver Island. Three ferry terminals provide connections to Victoria, Crofton and the city of Vancouver.

Salt Spring Island is approximately 18 miles long and from 2 to 10 miles wide. There are almost 500 miles of roads winding past lakes, across farmland and through wooded areas with frequent views of the ocean, other islands, and the mainland mountains.

The Island has almost 12,000 residents. The largest settlement is Ganges, an unincorporated village with seaplane service to Victoria and Vancouver. In Ganges you will find three banks, a library, post office, fire hall, liquor store, grocery stores, bakeries, department stores, two gas stations, and a full range of professional and trade services, as well as many small shops and galleries. The village features trendy boutiques, galleries and award-winning restaurants.

A large number of artists, entertainers and crafts people have made their homes on the island. Consequently, Salt Spring’s many galleries, together with numerous craft fairs and concerts have given the island a national reputation as an artist’s colony.

The Arts on Salt Spring

Salt Spring Island has established itself as one of Canada’s finest artist colonies. The island is home to some of the country’s best painters, sculptors, potters, weavers and crafts people. There are many ways to view the work of these artists and to connect with the artist directly:

Saturday Farmers & Crafts Market

Canada's best loved outdoor arts, market April through October www.saltspringmarket.com

Artcraft at Mahon Hall

Summer long artist sponsored sale of local arts and crafts featuring the works of over 100 artisans of all major guilds. Unique Christmas treasures can be found at local annual craft shows during November and December. www.artcraftgallery.ca

GALLERIES AND STUDIOS

The village of Ganges has several excellent galleries. A map showing locations of various studios participating in the studio tour around the island is available in the cottage. Copies are also available from the Tourist Information Center in Ganges.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Thistle Dew Guest Cottage can make reservations to have mountain bikes available. Please contact us for details. Please be aware helmets are mandatory in B.C.

TENNIS

Four all weather courts are available to the public at Portlock Park. Lighting available for after dark play. One covered court also available during the winter months.

GOLF

Right across the street from Thistle Dew Guest Cottage is Salt Spring Island Golf and Country Club established in 1928. It features 3,039 yards, 9 hole regulation course, par 36 with a course rating of 67. Watered fairways, a beautifully scenic course. Clubs and power carts are available to rent. Professional lessons also available. Licensed restaurant, gift and pro shop. If you wish to have a particular tee time set up please let us know and we will gladly make the arrangements. www.saltspringgolf.com

Challenging executive 9 hole course. Great greens! Rental clubs & pull carts. Coffee shop, gift and pro shop. Enjoy the peaceful sights and sounds of nature alongside Blackburn Lake. www.blackburnmeadows.com

SWIMMING

Fresh water or salt, lake, pool or ocean; the choice is yours! Some beaches are ideally suited for the play of young, others for those in search of quiet contemplation. A new public lap pool just up the street on Rainbow Road. 1 KM from the cottage.

Ocean Swimming

• Beddis Beach at the end of Beddis Rd. (Beautiful and sandy)
• Vesuvius Beach at the end of Langley Rd. (Warmest water)
• Bader’s Beach at the end of Collins Rd. off Rainbow Rd.
• Churchill Rd. : a very pleasant beach at low tide - close to Hastings House, at the end of Churchill Rd. Quiet and Peaceful!
• Arbutus Rd. off Southy Point Road
• Baker Beach at end of Baker Rd.(private, quiet)

Lake Swimming

• St. Mary’s Lake - access from Tripp Rd. on the west side or North End Rd.on the east side. The only real beach is off North End Rd.
• Weston and Stowel Lakes - south end of the island beside Beaver Point Rd.
• Cusheon Lake - 1 mile down Cusheon Lake Rd. off Fulford - Ganges Rd. Small public wharf
• Blackburn Lake - off Fulford-Ganges Rd. 5 minutes south of Ganges. Opposite the Cedar View Mobile Home Park. Small wharf.

ENTERTAINMENT

Free open-air entertainment can be found in the center of Ganges during the summer. Check the local paper “The Driftwood” for current events.

THISTLE DEW GUEST COTTAGE GARDENS

Guests are welcome to wander through our own flower gardens. The only reason they are fenced is to keep the deer out.

PICNICS

Salt Spring has a number of excellent picnic spots, with Ruckle Provincial Park and Mount Maxwell being two of the most popular.

HIKING AND WALKING

Salt Spring’s magnificent vistas, numerous trails and natural beauty make it an excellent location for hikes and walks. From a leisurely ramble down a country road to a strenuous climb up a mountain face, there are challenges and delights for virtually every level of physical fitness. For example:

Mt Maxwell Day hike: Suitable all year, (winter access may be difficult.)

Mt Erskine
Length: 1.5 km one way
Elevation Gain: 391 meters
Day hike Suitable all year

Duck Creek
Length: 20 min - 45 minutes loop (suitable all year)

Mouat Park
Length: various short trails. approx. 10 minutes each

Ruckle Park
Length: various trails. Stay an hour or spend the day.

RUNNING/JOGGING

Take advantage of the quiet country roads for an early morning jog, or use the ocean front paths of Ruckle Park or the 1/4 mile cinder oval track at Portlock Park.

BIRD WATCHING

The McFadden Creek Heron Rookery is a significant heron colony composed of more than 118 nests in a stand of trembling aspen, fir, maple, alder, and cottonwood. Nesting takes place from October through April. Great blue herons can also be viewed around Salt Spring Island from September through June.

Binoculars are available. Guests are welcome to borrow them to take on hikes, picnics or day trips. The island has some great wildlife viewing, especially bald eagles, waterfowl and deer. Over 270 bird species have been identified in season.

SHOPPING

A feature of Salt Spring is the open air market held Saturday mornings in Centennial Park. Numerous stores, galleries and shops makes Ganges a great place to browse and find that unique gift for someone special.

Spinning mill/History Museum

Salt Spring Island is well known for the quality of its lamb, but is also gaining a reputation for wool production and processing. The evidence of this can be found in the Gulf Islands Spinning Mill, a cooperative venture located just outside of Ganges. Members of Salt Spring Island Fibre Studios established the mill early in 1999 when they purchased $65,000 worth of machinery, including a carder, spinning machine and felting machine. Visitors can tour the mill at 351A Rainbow Road and are encouraged to phone (250) 537-4342 at to arrange an appointment. The mill staff will guide visitors through the production process, from washing the fleece, to carding, drafting and spinning the wool. The mill also has a felting machine for making felt from batts of wool as well as llama, mohair and alpaca fibres.

Live Entertainment

Restaurants and pubs offer excellent nightly entertainment offering a broad spectrum of local and international artists - live bands through dinner Music.

Live Theatre And Choir

Featured on a year round basis, the performances often take place in cozy venues which give the audience an added sense of involvement. In recent years Art Spring has come to life offering a variety of performances both local and beyond. Comfortable theatre style seating has made this a very popular venue.

Cinema

Salt Spring’s one of a kind movie theatre offers first run features and selected international films.

SAILING

The waters off Salt Spring Island are famous the world over for boating. If you would care to have a sailboat arranged please, just ask!

Whale Watching

Whale Watching tours depart daily from Salt Spring Marina. On-board hydrophones let you listen to the whales! On-board Naturalists. On-board washrooms. Safety Cruiser Suites, Gloves and Binoculars provided. Also offered are wildlife tours where you may see: Bald Eagles, Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Dall's Porpoise, Otters or even Grey Whales! Just let us know and we’ll make the arrangements.

FISHING

Exciting saltwater fishing surrounds our island! You will get the opportunity to catch salmon, halibut, cod and crab. Our scenic coastlines are frequented by seals, eagles and whales all year round. Enjoy sightseeing and eco-tours too. Just let us know.

KAYAKING

Kayaking adventures suitable for any experience level - including the "never-been-in-a-kayak-before" level - fun for the whole family.