If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in County Meath, this peaceful historic estate offers a wonderful outdoor space to explore. Located near Dunboyne, it is an authentic 18th-century private estate currently undergoing careful restoration. This unique historic house and garden destination features quiet trails and beautifully aged grounds that are ideal for an outdoor family day trip.

Standard entry prices for the gardens start from €10.00 (approximately £8.50) for adults, while children under 12 years old can enter completely free of charge. Complete house tours that include full access to the garden walks are priced at €20.00 (approximately £17.00) per person.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that perfectly balances an educational day out with a relaxed, screen-free walk in nature, this estate delivers a lovely, traditional experience. It gives children a safe, traffic-free environment to stretch their legs while parents can enjoy the pristine heritage gardens.

Features

• Woodland Walking Trails: A quiet looped trail that winds safely through mature forest trees, perfect for a relaxing family stroll.
• Historic Restoration: An active, authentic Irish heritage site providing an immersive educational day out.
• Seasonal Plant Life: Beautiful expanses of bluebell woods, rare daffodils, and climbing wisteria that create an engaging outdoor experience.

What to See

• The Historic Palladian Mansion: Children can look at the unique architecture of this 1779 house, featuring an unusual entry door positioned inside a West wing hexagonal hall.
• The Canadian Moose Head: A surprising, massive historic taxidermy display greeting visitors immediately inside the entrance hall of the house tour.
• The Walled Garden: A traditional closed garden area displaying massive climbing roses, manicured beds, and quiet paths to explore.
• The Rare Bluebell Wood: A beautiful section of the forest trail that comes alive with a carpet of bluebells, snowdrops, and unique Crimean War daffodils.
• The 50-Foot Wisteria: A towering, historic climbing plant that scrambles right up over an ancient yew tree in the main gardens.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Secondary Activities: Visitors can stop by the old Coachman's Courtyard on weekends to relax. The courtyard features Cafe des Artistes, which offers specialty coffee, homemade sweet delicacies, and thermal Keep Cups designed so parents can take their drinks along the woodland trails. The estate also hosts seasonal open days and special heritage events during National Heritage Week in August.