Mount Congreve Gardens Announces New Summer Escapes for Families, Couples and Dog Lovers

Mount Congreve Gardens has unveiled two new immersive summer stay experiences designed to encourage guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience one of Ireland’s most beautiful garden estates in a completely new way.

Launching for Summer 2026, the new seasonal packages combine luxury accommodation, outdoor adventure and exclusive access to the estate’s world-renowned gardens, woodland walks and tranquil countryside setting.

Set across 70 acres of intensively planted gardens, ancient woodland, and 16km of winding pathways in the heart of County Waterford, Mount Congreve Gardens has become one of Ireland’s leading garden destinations, offering visitors the opportunity to stay overnight within the estate itself.

The newly launched Free-Range Family Escape has been created for families seeking a nature-filled summer adventure away from screens and busy schedules. Guests will enjoy a two-night stay in one of Mount Congreve’s Forest Eco Cabins - Maple, Fern or Beech - where children can roam woodland trails, discover outdoor play areas and enjoy garden adventures, while parents relax and unwind beneath the trees.

The experience includes accommodation for two adults and two children under 16, a welcome family hamper, full admission to Mount Congreve Gardens throughout the stay and access to the estate’s woodland playground featuring tunnel slides, hammock swings, seesaws and climbing adventures.

Families will also enjoy a scenic journey aboard the Waterford Suir Valley Railway alongside the River Suir and Waterford Greenway, complimentary adult bike hire, private outdoor hot tubs and children’s garden activity sheets. Breakfast, lunch and sweet treats are available daily at The Stables Café, with families also invited to enjoy simple outdoor moments together, including the much-loved Feed the Ducks experience at the Garden House. The Free-Range Family Escape package is available from €795 per family for two nights, subject to availability.

For couples seeking a slower, more romantic summer retreat, Mount Congreve Gardens has also introduced Summer at the Gate Lodge - a luxury countryside escape set within five beautifully restored historic gate lodges located throughout the estate.

Guests can stay in Oak, Acorn, Damson, Rowan or Whitfield Gate Lodge, each offering a peaceful countryside retreat either within the estate itself or, in the case of Whitfield Gate Lodge, just a short five-minute drive from Mount Congreve Gardens. Hidden inside historic estate entrances, the lodges are designed for guests seeking privacy and a slower pace of summer living. Damson, Rowan and Whitfield Gate Lodges are also dog-friendly, allowing guests to bring their four-legged companions along for the experience.

Designed for relaxed summer living, the experience centres around peaceful garden walks, outdoor dining, after-hours access to the gardens and uninterrupted time together in nature.

The package includes two nights’ accommodation for two adults, a welcome hamper, exclusive after-hours garden access, complimentary adult bike hire for exploring the nearby Waterford Greenway, private garden space with BBQ facilities and a luxury wine cooler bag complete with fitted accessories including wine glasses, napkins and a waiter’s friend.

Guests can fill the cooler bag with their complimentary chilled bottle of rosé before wandering into the gardens to enjoy relaxed summer evenings beneath the trees, beside the river paths or stretched out on the sweeping lawns of the estate.

Gate Lodge guests will also enjoy complimentary late check-out, allowing for an even more leisurely departure.

Breakfast and lunch are available daily at The Stables Café, allowing guests to embrace the slower rhythm of estate life throughout their stay. Residents' menus are also available for pre-order.

The Summer at the Gate Lodge package is available from €885 for two nights, subject to availability. For further information or bookings, visit https://mountcongreve.com/