Gardens of the Midlands
Your Guided Group Holiday To The Midlands
Join us to see some of the best gardens of the Midlands and travel through the counties of Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. One of the highlights of this garden short break will be Tullynally Castle & Gardens, where much of the layout dates back from the early 1800s, but the current owners have added many new features. Set at the foothills of Slieve Bloom Mountains, we’ll discover Clonohill Gardens, see how Cecil-Day Lewis’ poetry, who was born in Ballintubbert house in 1904, inspired its gardens and learn more about sustainable kitchen gardening at Dunmore Country School. Before returning home, our final highlights will be Ardagh Village Landscape Gardens and Belvedere House & Gardens.
Trip Itinerary
Activity Level: Leisurely
Day
Depart Dublin and Tullynally Castle & Gardens
Depart Dublin & Private Garden Visit
We depart today, with our expert gardener Brona Dore, from The Alex Hotel in Dublin for a visit to a private garden at Lough Owel, Co Westmeath.
Tullynally Castle & Gardens
Our journey continues onwards to Tullynally Castle & Gardens where the 12 acres are divided between walled gardens, extensive woodland gardens and two ornamental lakes with much of the present layout dating from the early 1800s.
Following our visit we travel to our hotel in Tullamore in the late afternoon.
Clonohill Gardens, Gash Gardens & Heywood Gardens
Clonohill Gardens & Gash Gardens
Following a leisurely breakfast we depart our hotel for a visit to Clonohill Gardens, set at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. These country farmhouse gardens feature woodland, lawns, herbaceous borders and a sheltered walled garden overlooking a lake. Our next visit of the morning takes us to the family owned Gash Gardens with an imaginative blend of vibrant and unusual planting along with many fine specimen trees and shrubs.
Explore Heywood Gardens
Our day continues with free time in Abbeyleix for lunch (at own expense) before enjoying a visit to Heywood Gardens. Set on a hillside this 18th century landscape consists of gardens, lakes, woodland and exciting architectural features. One of the site’s most unusual features is a sunken garden containing an elongated pool. We return to our hotel this afternoon.
Ballintubbert Gardens & Dunmore Country School
Ballintubbert Gardens
This morning we start our day with a visit to the historic Ballintubbert Gardens with highlights that include Lutyens Sunken garden, the Secret Garden and the Shakelton Garden which is a myriad of spring colours.
Dunmore Country School
Following some free time for lunch in Durrow (at own expense) we will visit Dunmore Country School for a guided tour led by the owner, Tanguy de Toulgoët. This working kitchen garden follows traditional gardening methods believing in the importance of biodiversity and sustainability.
Ardagh Village Landscape Gardens and Belvedere House & Gardens
Ardagh Village Landscape Gardens
After checking out of our hotel we will depart for a morning visit to Ardagh Village Landscape Gardens, an informal garden set on two acres comprised of woodland, orchard and unusual shrubs all connected by meandering paths.
Belvedere House & Gardens
This afternoon our journey takes us to Belvedere House & Gardens, a magnificent 160 acre lakeside estate with a fully restored Georgian Villa, Victorian Walled Garden, 18th century parkland and follies.
Return to Dublin
We return to The Alex Hotel, Dublin in the late afternoon after a wonderful few days discovering the Gardens of the Midlands.
* We aim to operate your tour itinerary according to the format shown. Occasionally, local conditions and unexpected events may result in adjustments to the planned schedule. We kindly ask for your understanding and flexibility in the event of any changes.
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Know before you go
What if there is an emergency?
We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.
Do I need a Visa?
Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements
Will I be met at the airport?
You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your Travel Department guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.