Description
Heywood Gardens is a beautiful and historic hillside estate that offers a wonderful outdoor space for family exploration. It features a spectacular combination of natural woodland, calm lakes, and formal garden architecture that makes it a highly rated destination for a relaxing family walk. If you are researching the best things to do with kids in County Laois, this historic public park and garden provides a great mix of open spaces for little ones to move around and unique historical elements to explore.
Visiting this stunning heritage property will not strain the family budget. Entry to the entire site is completely free, making it one of the most cost-effective days out available in the region. Families can explore the extensive parklands and beautifully landscaped grounds without paying any admission fee.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids where you can combine history, nature, and fresh air, this hillside property is an ideal choice. The layout provides plenty of room for children to walk while parents can take in panoramic views that stretch across multiple counties. It offers an easy, self-guided outdoor experience that can fit comfortably into any family weekend schedule.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Sensory Play and Nature: The sounds of moving water from the central fountains, birdsong from the woodlands, and the rich scents of seasonal flowers offer an informal sensory play experience for young children.
- Interactive Learning: Families can enjoy an educational day out by using the onsite information panels and signs starting at the Gate Lodge to teach children about regional history and classic architecture.
- Stunning Views: The elevated hillside placement provides an expansive vista looking to the south-east, creating a visual backdrop that lets kids visually explore the countryside.
Highlights
- The Sunken Garden: This formal area is a major highlight where circular stone terraces descend to an elongated, elliptical pool. Children will love looking at the small stone statues of turtles that stand around the central grand fountain.
- The Loggia: Located on the top level of the garden architecture, this red-tiled roofed structure is fun to walk through. It features an inscription taken from the famous writings of Alexander Pope carved directly into the stone.
- Circular Wall Windows: The stone wall enclosing the formal garden features circular open windows. Kids often treat these as natural picture frames to look through and view the wider landscape.
- The Lime Tree Walk: A straight, formal walkway lined symmetrically with tall lime trees that leads directly to a grand terrace overlooking the countryside. It is an excellent spot for children to walk safely away from traffic.
- The Twin Lakes and Woodlands: Moving away from the structured architecture, the property transitions into over 50 acres of romantic woods and open lakes. Keep an eye out near the water to spot local wildlife like moorhens and kingfishers.
Beyond the Main Attraction: The property sits directly adjacent to the grounds of Heywood Community School. If you want to expand your day trip within County Laois, you can visit the charming town of Abbeyleix just 7km northwest of the gardens to explore the Abbeyleix Bog Walk. For more historic sites, the spectacular neo-classical mansion and grounds at Emo Court and Estate are located approximately 25.5km away, while the ancient geological formations of Dunmore Cave sit about 17.1km to the south.
24.73 miles
