Get Outdoors in Carlow

From the greens of castle gardens to tree-lined pathways of forest walks. This post highlights five fabulous and family friendly reasons to get outdoors in Carlow.

1. Altamont Gardens
2. Delta Sensory Gardens
3. Duckett’s Grove
4. Huntington Castle & Gardens
5. Oak Park Forest Park

1. Altamont Gardens

• Address: Bunclody Rd, Altamont, Ballon, Co. Carlow.
• Admission: Free.
• Guided Tours: Book in advance for Snowdrop Week and Rose Week €3 per person.
• Parking: Pay and display €2.
• Opening Times: Seven days a week.
  • 1 January – 28 February: 9am – 4pm.
  • March: 9am – 5pm.
  • 1 April – 30 September: 9am – 6:30pm.
  • October: 9am – 5pm.
  • November: 9am – 4:30pm.
  • December 9am – 4:00pm.
• Facilities: toilets, café, garden centre, Picnic tables, car and coach parking.

“For over 50 years the gardens were in the care and cared for by Corona North (what an amazing name). She did a brilliant job creating what some believe to be ‘the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown’ (Carlow tourism) and when she sadly passed away in 1999 she handed the gardens to the state, who are thankfully keeping her legacy alive.”

Read my full post here – Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Carlow in Photo’s

2. Delta Sensory Gardens

• Address: Strawhall Industrial Estate, Strawhall, Carlow.
• Admission: Adult €5, Student €4, Senior Citizen €4, Children under 13 Free.
• Guided Tours: Book in advance.
• Parking: Free.
• Opening Times: Seven days a week.
  • Monday – Friday 9am – 5:30pm.
  • Weekends and Public Holidays: 11am – 5:30pm.
• Facilities: toilets, café, garden shop, craft shop, special event hire.

“There are ten gardens within the Delta Sensory Garden along with a walkway called the Celtic Walkway. Each garden is known by a different name, each name represents what’s inside. You’ll spot sculptured plaques telling you exactly which garden you are in and it will all become clear as you walk and explore.

The gardens are; Interactive Games Garden, Formal Rose Garden, The Water & Woodland Garden, The Mediterranean Garden, The Five Senses Garden, The Hubei Garden, The Circle of Life, The Sculpture Garden, The Willow Garden and The Stolen Child Garden … but the sensory experience doesn’t end there, when you have spent your time in the gardens there is a special sensory room within the reception area too. I won’t give away the surprise.”

Read my full post here – Delta Sensory Gardens, Delta Centre, Strawhill, Carlow

3. Duckett’s Grove

• Address: Kneestown, Duckett’s Grove, Co. Carlow.
• Admission: Free.
• Guided Tours: Available on request.
• Parking: Pay and display €2.
• Opening Times: Seven days a week during daylight hours.
  • April – October: 8am – 9pm.
  • Rest of the year: 8am – 4pm.
• Facilities: toilets, café (seasonal), art centre (seasonal), car and coach parking.

“It was Baltic out, okay that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it really was cold. The sky was a dull grey, it was spitting rain and threatening snow. Not exactly the best weather to be sightseeing but even in bad weather Duckett’s Grove rises from the country landscape to command all in its view. It’s a fabulous looking place, so full of character and mystery, like an enchanted castle that got lost along the way.”

Read my full post here – Duckett’s Grove, Keenstown, Carlow in Photo’s

4. Huntington Castle & Gardens

• Address: Huntington, Clonegall, Co. Carlow
• Admission: Adult €5 Child €2.50
• Guided Tours: House Tours available Adult €9 Child €5
• Parking: Free
• Opening Times: May through to September
  • Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm.
• Facilities: toilets, café, gift shop, playground, car and coach parking.

“Passing the greenhouse and poultry, the trees, shrubs and flowers, the path, which was thankfully pram friendly, led us to the lawns and to the back of the house in all its glory. The architecture with its ancient walls and very old additions makes for a castle that has a certain je ne sais quoi, perhaps its timelessness. Beautiful.”

Read my full post here – Huntington Castle & Gardens, Clonegal, Co. Carlow, Ireland

5. Oak Park Forest Park

• Address: Oak Park, Ballaghmoon, Carlow
• Admission: Free
• Guided Tours: Not available
• Parking: Free
• Opening Times: Seven days a week during daylight hours.
  • April – October: 8am – 9pm.
  • Rest of the year: 8am – 4pm.
• Facilities: toilets, wheelchair accessible walkways and bird watch area, playground, picnic tables, car and coach parking.

click to view smaller images

 

Oak Park Forest Park is mature and mixed species woodland. Spread over 50 hectares, expect to see beech, oak, Scots pine, silver fir, larch and sycamore trees. Ferns, mosses and flora line the pathways, and wildlife include those who live off the lake; swans and ducks, and those who prefer the shelter of the trees; wild and game birds.

 

There are four walks within the woodland – Butlers Wood Loop (700m), the Lake Path (800m), Fox Covert Track (1100m) and Sally Island Trail (1700m). All the walks are wheelchair accessible, meaning they are also pram friendly which is perfect for those of us with little ones.

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