One of the "Great Gardens of the World", this 70-acre woodland estate holds one of the largest private plant collections on earth — 16km of paths weave past massed camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons, with a superb estate-to-plate café at its heart.
Explore 70 acres of intensively planted woodland on 16km of winding paths. The collection is famed for its vast displays of camellias (over 700 varieties), magnolias, rhododendrons, and azaleas. Three marked trails cater to different energy levels: the Woodland Garden Walk (55 mins), the accessible Fragrant Walk (20 mins), and the Walled Garden Walk (30 mins).
Scattered across the estate are enchanting follies and features: a Chinese Pagoda perched in an old quarry, the cascading Rock Waterfall, a restored 1840 Georgian Glasshouse, and the classical Temple — the resting place of Ambrose and Marjorie Congreve — with views over the River Suir.
A working kitchen garden and pleasure garden combined. Rows of herbs, vegetables and fruit trees supply the Stables Café just 350 metres away, while ornamental plantings and manicured lawns offer a tranquil space to linger.
The estate-to-plate ethos is literal here: most vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers travel just 350m from the walled gardens to your plate. Breakfast runs 9am–noon and lunch noon–5pm. Traditional Afternoon Tea (€38) is served in the Tack Room with pre-booking essential. The café and FOXFORD shop are accessible without a garden ticket.
Seasonal guided garden tours run every Thursday at 2pm (Mar–Oct, €19 adults). Specialist tours — including the Herman Dool Tour and Estate Director Tour — can be booked for groups of 10+. The 7-seater Garden Buggy Loop offers a relaxed way to see the gardens (pre-booking required).
Tucked in the woodlands, the natural playground features basket swings, a climbing tower with tunnel slide, balance walk, seesaw, and a sand-area boat. A buggy is recommended for small children as the playground sits a fair walk into the gardens.
The estate has a dedicated Greenway entrance (open during garden hours), making it an ideal rest stop on the 46km Waterford–Dungarvan trail. Park your bike, grab a meal at the Stables Café, and if you have a garden ticket, explore the grounds. Note: only registered guide dogs permitted in the main gardens, but the Wetlands Walk and café are dog-friendly.
Choose from restored historic Gate Lodges, off-grid Forest Eco Cabins, a Courtyard Suite, or bell tents. All stays include after-hours garden access, and many are dog-friendly with complimentary bikes and welcome hampers.
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