FAQ

HOW DO I VISIT MOUNT CONGREVE GARDENS & CAN I BUY TICKETS WHEN I ARRIVE?

To avoid disappointment, we recommend that tickets for Mount Congreve Gardens be booked online in advance of your visit. This includes general garden visit tickets and event tickets. These can be purchased here or from the ticket desk in the Secret Garden shop. A discount applies to online General Admission tickets.


DO MEMBERS NEED TO PRE-BOOK?

If you are a member, you do not need to book in advance. You do however need to present your card upon arrival. You may be asked to show proof of identity.


WHAT ARE YOUR OPENING HOURS?

Please view most up-to-date information here.


CAN I BRING MY PET?

We are all big animal lovers at Mount Congreve and dog owners will love our new pet-friendly Wetlands Walk located at the entrance to Mount Congreve but unfortunately, due to the biodiversity of the estate, the only pets allowed into the main gardens are registered guide dogs.

Discover More here


ARE THE PATHS WHEELCHAIR AND BUGGY FRIENDLY?

The main pathway through the gardens is wheelchair and buggy friendly, it is however on an incline with loose stone surfaces in many places.


DO YOU HAVE A CAFÉ?

Yes, the Stables Café offer a wide selection of seasonal salads, soups, warming dishes, tasty desserts and pastries.


CAN WE BRING A PICNIC?

We do not permit foods that have not been purchased on-site to be consumed within the grounds. The Stables Café offers a wide selection of light bites and snacks to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.


DO YOU SELL PLANTS?

Yes, we sell a variety of beautiful potted plants. We also sell an in-season variety of fruits and vegetables from our gardens. We do not sell cut flowers.



ARE YOUR TOILET FACILITIES OPEN?

Yes, the bathrooms are located in the main visitor, where we also have a wheelchair-accessible toilet.

Please note there are no public toilets in Mount Congreve House.


DO YOU HAVE BABY-CHANGING FACILITIES?

Yes, these are located in the Stables Café.


WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Mount Congreve Gardens are located 10 minutes from Waterford City on the Old Kilmeaden Road. Our Eircode is X91 PX05.


CAN I USE MY OPW HERITAGE PASS TO VISIT MOUNT CONGREVE GARDENS?

Upon the death of Mr. Congreve, the house and gardens were bequeathed to the state and are held in Trust. Mount Congreve Gardens is not an OPW site and we do not accept OPW Heritage Cards.


I HAVE AN EXISTING ANNUAL PASS FROM 2021- CAN I STILL USE IT?

We will honour all valid 2021 Annual and Loyalty passes until 31.12.2022.


HOW DO I BOOK A GROUP?

Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. All group visits or tours must be pre-booked through our office. Please email [email protected]


I WOULD LIKE TO BOOK AFTERNOON TEA?

Afternoon Tea at Mount Congreve Gardens is not to be missed. We offer different afternoon teas, including traditional, vegetarian and gluten-free menus. Cakes are freshly prepared on-site with locally sourced ingredients where possible.

Traditional /Festive Afternoon Tea: €35.00
Vegan / Gluten-free: €37.50 – min two people
Add a glass of Prosecco €7.50pp
For more information and to book follow this link


CAN I VISIT MOUNT CONGREVE HOUSE?

Mount Congreve House will open from 2nd March 2023. This will be the new entry point to visit the gardens. Pre-book online or become a Mount Congreve Member for the best value www.mountcongreve.com 

WHAT TO EXPECT?

You will enter Mount Congreve House by the main entrance as the Congreve family once did.

You will be welcomed at the reception desk and can scan your pre-booked ticket or membership card or purchase a ticket to visit the gardens.

You will be guided into the audio-visual room where you can watch a 5-minute short film which speaks to Mr Congreve and his inspiration to build one of the Great Gardens of the World.

Visitors can then continue to the interpretation room. This room holds a model of Mount Congreve Estate and two flipbooks. One flipbook documents the plant collection and the other the history of the Congreve family. At this point, guests can then exit to visit the gardens.

 


CAN I STAY AT MOUNT CONGREVE?

We are currently renovating one of the three Gate Lodges at Mount Congreve. It will be available for stays from July onwards. To book follow this link https://airbnb.com/h/thegatelodgeatmountcongreve


CAN I BOOK THE HOUSE TOUR?

Guests who wish to visit the gardens can now do so as the Congreve family once did, and enter through Mount Congreve House. Garden admission tickets can be purchased online or on the day.

Visitors will receive a warm welcome from the visitor experience team and be guided into the two new interpretative spaces and then exit to the gardens via the North Terrace. 

While guests can enjoy the new interpretative spaces, there is no designated house tour.


DO YOU HAVE A PLAYGROUND?

Our new eco-friendly playground is a natural haven for children to enjoy nature. It offers all of the ingredients for fun active play for children of all ages and abilities. With basket swings, hammock swings, a climbing tower with an adventure tunnel slide, a balance walk, a seesaw and a boat sitting amongst a sand area and more. Other play features in the new playground also offer opportunities for creative, sensory and imaginative play.
Prebook your garden admission online or for the best value we strongly recommend purchasing our family membership. Discover full details here https://www.mountcongrevebookings.com/Home


CAN I VISIT THE CAFÉ AND SHOP WITHOUT VISITING THE GARDENS?

Yes, visitors can visit the Stables Café and Secret Garden shop without visiting the gardens.


OPEN TODAY 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
DIRECTIONS
BOOK TICKETS