The Argory

The Argory is an atmospheric Irish gentry house surrounded by its 130 hectare (320 acre) wooded riverside estate. A tour of this Neo-classical masterpiece reveals it as unchanged since 1900 so there's a really nice sense of immersive history in place here for young imaginations. You can trace over 160 years of history at The Argory including finding out how the whole house and estate only came into existence because of a quirky stipulation in a will! Explore it's history from its Georgian beginnings as a family home to being a hero's retreat in the Victorian age. The Birkenhead room has children's interactive displays and there's also a kids' quiz to get in on too so there's plenty to tempt children with.

Unleash the kids outside on the newly extended play area with huge jungle climbing frame, low ropes challenge, balancing logs, rope swings and a cool zip wire leading from the play area all the way out into the woodland! You older types who aren't swinging from the trees can enjoy sweeping panoramic vistas, superb natural seasonal displays, scenic walks and fascinating courtyard exhibits, plus a second-hand bookshop and Lady Ada's award-winning tearooms.

Plus Mid-September is the best time to come to pick blackberries and The Argory has some fantastic spots to hunt down these juicy fruits so grab a blackberry map from Visitor Reception and off you go with your little brown bags!

You can also join Rudy The Ranger on an all weather exploration of The Argory every single Sunday in August to make mud pies, run a snail race, have a mini-beast safari and toast marshmallows on the supervised campfire. Cool!