Italian Garden and Terraces
Dramatic terraces fall away through formal planting and statuary towards Triton Lake, with the Great Sugar Loaf mountain behind. This is the estate's most photographed view.
Powerscourt House & Gardens
4.7 (11,230)
See all
About
A 47-acre Palladian estate in the Wicklow hills, ranked by National Geographic as the third finest garden in the world, with terraces, lakes, a Japanese garden and the Sugarloaf Mountain as its backdrop.
Things to Do
Japanese Garden and Grotto
Created in 1908 on reclaimed bogland, the Japanese Garden winds past stone lanterns, oriental bridges and a pagoda to a wishing well. The moss-built grotto beside it dates from 1740 and is one of the oldest features in the grounds.
The Walled Garden
Once the kitchen garden, it now holds Ireland's longest double-sided herbaceous border, the Bee Sanctuary and the 240-year-old Bamberg Gate. A small fountain and Julia's Memorial pond are quiet places to pause.
Tower Valley and Pepperpot Tower
A wooded valley of rare and champion trees, with a tower modelled on a pepper pot from Lord Powerscourt's dining table. Cannons and hidden corners make it a favourite with children.
Tree Trail and Beech Avenue
The 2km tree trail takes about 40 minutes and numbers 26 trees, including Douglas Firs among the tallest in Ireland. The Beech Avenue frames the approach to the house.
The Pets Cemetery
A walled plot of memorials to the family's much-loved animals, some of them decidedly unusual. Children enjoy the stories, such as Eugenie the Jersey cow and her 100,000 gallons of milk.
Avoca Terrace Café and shops
The café seats 160 indoors and on a terrace looking over the gardens to the Sugarloaf. Inside the house, Avoca, the Design Loft and Neptune sell Irish design, while the Garden Pavilion stocks plants and gifts.
Powerscourt Waterfall
Ireland's highest waterfall drops 121 metres, 6km from the gardens and ticketed separately. There is a playground, a sensory trail, picnic and BBQ areas, and a summer kiosk.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Gardens open 7 days a week, 363 days a year (closed 25-26 December). Jan 09:30-16:30, Feb 09:30-17:00, Mar-Oct 09:30-17:30, Nov 09:30-17:00, Dec 09:30-16:30; last entry 30 minutes before close. House 09:30-17:30. Waterfall: Jan/Feb 10:30-16:00, Mar/Apr 10:30-17:30, May-Aug 09:30-19:00, Sept/Oct 10:30-17:30, Nov/Dec 10:30-16:00.
- Admission: Gardens: adults €14, children (U16) €5.50, family €34. Waterfall: adults €8, family €19.50.
- Parking: Ample car parking at Powerscourt for cars and coaches (including accessible parking), plus parking at the waterfall. Coach parking for up to 20 coaches. EV charging on site via the EasyGo app.
- Food: The Avoca Terrace Café (year-round, seats 160 inside and on the terrace) serves salads, soups, sandwiches and desserts; Avoca Food Hall and a Fri-Sun outdoor hatch also operate. At the waterfall, a kiosk sells coffee, snacks and ice cream in summer.
Watch More
See it on the map
Load the interactive map to explore this place location.
