If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Wicklow, this dramatic coastal tower offers an extraordinary historic accommodation adventure. Situated on the rugged cliffs of Dunbur Head, it is a magnificent self-catering lighthouse category attraction that has safeguarded the scenic coastline since 1781. It provides the ultimate base for a memorable family getaway where children can experience living inside a piece of maritime history.

Prices start from £800 for a two-night stay, depending on the season and booking dates. The entire private tower is booked as a self-catering home, making it a unique premium choice for families seeking a coastal retreat.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that perfectly balances an educational day out with raw natural beauty, this octagonal structure delivers an incredible stay. It gives children a real-world look at historic engineering while providing direct access to scenic walking paths and marine wildlife spotting.

Features

• Six-Storey Octagonal Living: A unique vertical home layout where every room occupies its own private floor inside the stone tower.
• Thick Stone Window Alcoves: High arched windows set into stone walls that are nearly a metre thick, acting as perfect lookout posts for kids.
• Cliffside Nature Trails: Direct access to waymarked coastal paths right outside the main door, perfect for physical sensory play in nature.

What makes Wicklow Head Lighthouse unique?

• The 109-Step Climb: To reach the kitchen at the very top, families must climb a stone spiral staircase with 109 individual steps. Children will love the daily physical challenge, which feels just like living inside a classic fairytale castle.
• Handmade Sailcloth Blinds: Because the tower sits on an active headland, special interior blinds made from authentic, colourful sail fabric are fitted to the windows. Closing them at night ensures the indoor lights do not confuse passing ships at sea.
• 360-Degree Marine Views: With 27 windows cut into the thick octagonal walls, the tower offers sweeping panoramic views of the Irish Sea. Kids can spend hours tracking shifting weather patterns, tracking cargo ships, and spotting birds.
• The Secret Seal Beach: Tucked away along the rugged cliffs just below the headland lies a secluded cove where local grey seals regularly gather on the rocks. It offers an ideal educational day out where kids can observe marine life in its natural habitat.
• Historic Lightning Strike Lore: Built in 1781, the tower's interior was completely gutted by a massive fire caused by a lightning strike in 1836. Learning how the historic shell survived provides a fascinating history lesson for young minds.

Beyond the Main Attraction

The headland serves as a wonderful starting point for regional family day trips. Families can enjoy the Glen Cliff Walk which starts nearby at Glen Beach, or drive 15 minutes to explore the formal maze at Mount Usher Gardens. The historic ruins of Glendalough Monastic Settlement and the high drops of Powerscourt Waterfall are both within a 30-to-45-minute drive.