A Storybook Christmas
Within the gates of a Great Garden of the World, five historic lodges await — perfect for slow winter days and frosty walks.
UNLOCK THE KEY
A Storybook Stay in a Great Garden of the World
Stay at the Historic Gate Lodges of Mount Congreve Gardens
This Christmas, step beyond the stone walls of Mount Congreve Gardens and into a different pace of life. Once the sentinels of an 18th-century estate, our Gate Lodges now welcome a fortunate few to stay within one of the world’s great gardens – wrapped in comfort, calm and old-world charm. Warm interiors, FOXFORD throws, winter walks and long, candlelit evenings: each lodge is a private hideaway, moments from the Waterford Greenway and a short drive from the lights of Waterford City.
Festive Stays, Thoughtfully Timed
Our Gate Lodge calendar is designed to create a natural rhythm to your stay and more time to simply be.
Arrival Rhythm
– Monday arrivals: Stay 4 nights (depart Friday) – perfect for a midweek exhale before or after Christmas.
– Friday arrivals: Stay 3 nights (depart Monday) – a classic long weekend for cosy evenings and winter walks.
– Stay a Week: Arrive Monday or Friday and stay 7 nights to fully sink into the slower pace of estate life.
Festive Offers
– Linger Longer – Up to 25% Off 7-Night Stays
Guests who embrace the slower season are rewarded with savings of up to 25% on 7-night Christmas and winter stays. More time for lie-ins, long lunches and lingering in the gardens.
– Oak & Acorn Together – 20% Off
Travelling with friends or family?
Book Oak and Acorn Gate Lodges together and enjoy 20% off your stay. These adjoining one-bedroom lodges interconnect to form a generous two-bedroom retreat – ideal for two couples or a group of four who want privacy as well as shared space.
Subject to availability. Minimum stay, terms, and cancellation policy apply. View cancellation policy HERE.
The Gate Lodge Collection
Five individual lodges – Damson, Rowan, Oak, Acorn and Whitfield (located 5-min from Mount Congreve) – each with its own character, yet united by a simple promise: comfort, privacy, and that feeling of being gently tucked away from the world. At Christmas, they take on an even quieter magic – a time when the estate settles into stillness, when winter light softens the landscape, and when each lodge becomes a warm, intimate base for festive calm. Whether you’re escaping for pre-Christmas peace, retreating for the days between, or beginning the New Year in nature, each lodge offers its own interpretation of Christmas comfort: soft interiors, thoughtful details, and the rare pleasure of having a great garden just beyond your door.
Damson Gate Lodge
Sleeps 4 | Dog-friendly | Award-winning
A Sunday Times “Best Place to Stay – Fab 50” winner, Damson Gate Lodge is made for festive gatherings of two to four. The restored 1775 lodge pairs period detail with relaxed, contemporary comfort: two double bedrooms, a galley kitchen with SMEG appliances, and a cosy sitting room made for Christmas films and mulled wine.
Step outside to your private garden, take the complimentary adult bikes for a spin along the Greenway, or wander into the gardens for a quiet winter walk before supper.
- Ideal for: two couples, small families, Christmas with the dog
- Highlights: historic 18th-century lodge, stove-warmed evenings, garden access, adult bikes
Rowan Gate Lodge
Sleeps 2 | Dog-friendly | Heritage-restored
Set on the edge of the estate, Rowan Gate Lodge is a character-rich hideaway for two – plus four-legged companions. Inside, heritage tones, oak worktops and soft lighting create a warm, layered feel; outside, a private garden wraps you in quiet.
Dog beds, bowls and toys ensure your companion feels as welcome as you do. After a morning in the gardens or a cycle on the Greenway, return to Rowan for long, lazy afternoons and cosy evenings.
- Ideal for: couples with dogs, solo winter retreats
- Highlights: dog-friendly amenities, private garden, oak-detailed galley kitchen, adult bikes, after-hours garden access
Oak Gate Lodge
Sleeps 2 | Bathtub | Interconnects with Acorn
Once home to the estate’s gatekeeper, Oak Gate Lodge has been sensitively restored into a tranquil one-bedroom escape. Inside, you’ll find a cosy bedroom, a bathtub for deep winter soaks, and a fully equipped galley kitchen with oak countertops. Outside, an intimate dining terrace with BBQ sets the scene for long, lantern-lit evenings.
Oak connects internally with neighbouring Acorn Lodge, creating a flexible two-bedroom residence when booked together. Dogs are not permitted, preserving a calm, allergen-conscious space.
- Ideal for: couples, friends booking with Acorn
- Highlights: bathtub, interconnecting door to Acorn, outdoor dining terrace with BBQ, after-hours garden access
Acorn Gate Lodge
Sleeps 2 | Close to Nature | Interconnects with Oak
Tucked into the private grounds of Mount Congreve Gardens, Acorn Gate Lodge feels like something from a Christmas storybook. This bijou one-bedroom lodge blends period charm with carefully considered comforts: a snug sitting area with Smart TV, kitchenette, bedroom with soft linens, and a private outdoor space with BBQ.
Acorn connects internally to Oak Lodge, creating a generous two-bedroom layout when travelling with friends or family. Dogs are not permitted.
- Ideal for: couples, overflow for Oak, special-occasion stays
- Highlights: interconnecting layout with Oak, honesty bar, welcome hamper, bath robes, Smart TV, complimentary bike hire, after-hours garden access
Whitfield Gate Lodge
Sleeps 2 | Dog-friendly | Unique Stay
Just a 5-minute drive from Mount Congreve Gardens, on the neighbouring Whitfield Estate, Whitfield Gate Lodge combines 18th-century charm with a quietly luxurious feel.
Inside, a fully equipped kitchen with marble countertops, a cosy living space with Smart TV and streaming, and a serene bedroom for deep winter sleeps. Outside, a private patio with BBQ, honesty bar and space to sit under the winter sky. Guests enjoy complimentary bathrobes, a welcome hamper, free parking and Wi-Fi – plus exclusive after-hours access to Mount Congreve Gardens.
Stroll the driveway to explore the wider estate; it’s a peaceful, scenic walk that feels a world away from the everyday.
- Ideal for: couples, guests wanting a little extra privacy, dog owners
- Highlights: dog-friendly, marble-topped kitchen, private patio with BBQ, honesty bar, after-hours garden access
Your Christmas Stay Includes:
– Private, self-contained historic lodge within or beside Mount Congreve Estate
– Exclusive after-hours access to Mount Congreve Gardens
– Thoughtful festive touches to make your stay feel special
– Fully equipped kitchens for leisurely breakfasts and Christmas suppers
– Hotel-quality linens, towels and bathrobes
– Welcome hamper and honesty bar
– Complimentary adult bikes for exploring Waterford Greenway
– Free on-site parking and Wi-Fi
– Dog-friendly options at selected lodges (Damson, Rowan, Whitfield)
A Festive Base in Ireland’s Sunny Southeast
From your Gate Lodge door, you’re perfectly placed to explore:
- Mount Congreve Gardens – winter walks through woodland and walled gardens
- Waterford Greenway – crisp cycles and walks along the old railway line
- Waterford City – Ireland’s oldest city, dressed for Christmas with museums, shops, cafés and festive lights
- Dungarvan & the Copper Coast – seaside drives, long lunches and Atlantic air
Return each evening to the quiet glow of your own private lodge, a warm, welcoming space that feels entirely your own for a few winter nights.
Ready to Unlock Your Christmas Gate Lodge Escape?
Availability across the festive season is limited. Choose your lodge, choose your rhythm – and let the gardens do the rest.
