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Mount Usher Gardens

Ashford, Co. Wicklow
Bed & Breakfast
+353 (0)861 548 010

Per night
£90 - £150

2 rooms

Rooms sleep 2

Gardeners will be very happy staying in this generous, comfortable B&B surrounded by stunning gardens with year-round interest

Per night
£90 - £150

Contact the owner directly to check date availability and secure your booking.

The Experience

This is very much a family home and Katherine throws open her doors to guests with much generosity of spirit. You’re surrounded by what is considered amongst the greatest surviving wild romantic Robinsonian gardens, described by Monty Don as one of his favourites anywhere in the world. 22 acres are yours to explore with the river Vartry running through, bridges to cross, plenty of places to sit and contemplate, a rare collection of over 4,000 species of mature trees, flowers and shrubs including rhododendrons and azaleas blazing with colour in early summer, and a glorious maple walk for autumn. Wildlife abounds and there are herons, dippers and kingfishers to spot.

Katherine gives you mostly organic ingredients at breakfast including homemade muesli, granola and jams, home-baked bread, scrambled eggs with mushrooms and the full Irish, or a veggie version. Sit in the big sunroom after breakfast – you’ll find books to read and comfy sofas with large glass doors so you can watch the wildlife even if the weather isn’t playing. Stroll 10 minutes to The Chester Beatty Inn or the Avoca cafe, deli and bakery in the grounds.

Hire bikes for wonderful cycling in the mountains, visit other good gardens, walk through glorious countryside. Return to traditional bedrooms with lovely views over the gardens and river. You’ll feel very peaceful here.

We think you'll love

Exploring the gardens and finding out about their fascinating history
Hiking and biking in the nearby mountains
Eating organic breakfasts in the sunroom or on the terrace

You should know

No shoes indoors – pack your slippers
It's a sociable sort of place – not for shrinking violets

Essentials

EV charger
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Oven
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Spa
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Bar
Barbecue
Licensed premises
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
Microwave oven
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Dishwasher
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price: from £90
Surcharges: Singles £120.

2 Doubles: From £90

Information

Booking information

Check in: 4.30pm
Check out: 11am
Other details: Minimum stay: 2 nights.
Closed: Christmas & New Year.
No smoking: Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets: Animals living on the property
Meals: Pub 10-minute walk.

Reviews

The highlight here is exploring the 22 acres of wonderful gardens and then retiring to the summer room or terrace to watch the river flow past and smell the flowers in bloom. Katherine and her husband are warm and generous hosts and the breakfasts sound delicious - the perfect start to a day exploring the mountains or the coast.

Zoe Sawday's Inspector

Neville, London Jul 2022

Simply the best! A serene house in the most wonderful gardens which can be wandered at leisure. Lovely rooms with super views and the breakfast room/lounge is a treasure. I felt we could sit happily there all day. Catherine is a warm welcoming host and knows the local area well. Her helpful advice gave us many days of walking pleasure. A true gem to stay in.

Richard, Ormskirk Jun 2022

From the moment we arrived until the minute we left, Katherine and Konrad made us feel welcome and at home. Their lovely house is in the middle of a gorgeous garden, a haven from formal places, with abundant history. We had the luxury of a spacious bay-windowed room with the most marvellous view over the lawn, valley and river beneath. Excellent freshly cooked breakfasts, we can’t imagine a lovelier place to stay - we will be back!

Sue, Preston Jun 2022

Our stay at Mount Usher was simply divine! Katherine and Konrad were excellent hosts and we were looked after so well and made to feel so very welcome. The gardens were amazing! The gardens were also good hosts! In as much as there was always wildlife and birds for us to catch glimpses of! An amazing few days most enjoyable!

Philip, Craigavon Sep 2021

A privilege to stay here! As people who appreciate gardens, it has been an honour to stay in the midst of a very special place. The gardens are breath-taking and to have them to yourself, without other visitors is truly exceptional. The house is on a grand scale, yet made homely by the always smiling, helpful and caring Katherine. Rooms are spacious and very comfortable (views - wow!) Great that there is no TV - just look out the windows instead. The delicious breakfast is served overlooking the river, which sets the tone for your tranquil day ahead, with plenty to explore in the area.

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Location

The neighbourhood

The house is down a small B-road half a mile from Mount Ashford village. As well as the gardens to explore there is the Wicklow Mountains National Park (20-minute drive), where you can join the Wicklow Way and walk through Glendalough valley, a 6th-century monastic settlement flanked by pretty lakes to the north and south. Wicklow town is a 12-minute drive and there is a good swimming beach at Brittas Bay, 20 minutes away. You're an hour from Dublin and the airport.

Local points of interest from Katherine Jay

There are other fabulous gardens within an hours drive from Mount Usher. They include Kilmacurragh Botanical Gardens, Powerscourt, Altamont, and Jimi Blake's garden 'Hunting Brook (shown on Gardner's World).
20 minutes away is Brittas Bay, a 5km stretch of sandy beach, wonderful for swimming and walking, surrounded by 100 hectares of dunes, ferns and grassland. It has been awarded a blue flag for its pristine environment and water quality.
There are many great golf courses within an hours drive. Druids Glen, which hosted the Irish Open for 4 years in a row. Wicklow Golf course, Tulfarris golf club, Arklow Golf Links, Delgany and Powerscourt to name but a few.
The Wicklow Mountains National Park covers 20,000 hectares perfect for hiking and hill walking. Here you can access the Wicklow Way, visit the 6th Century Monastic site of Glendalough, or just take a picnic and explore the area.
Dublin City attractions include Trinity College, holding the 9th C manuscript the Book of Kells, the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery, the James Joyce Centre, Dublin Castle and the Chester Beatty Library.
There is a very good pub in the village called The Chester Beatty, a good fish restaurant in Wicklow called the Lighthouse, and many others in Greystones 15 mins from Mount Usher.

Introducing

Katherine Jay

Konrad's mother owned and developed the garden for many years and was passionate about keeping it wild and organic. Konrad and Katherine very much enjoy introducing the garden to their guests and will happily tell you about its history. They are also good people to point you in the right direction for other gardens to visit.