05-05-2025
Six of the best Garden County gardens to visit in Wicklow this summer
Patthana Garden, Kiltegan
Proprietor TJ Maher's first book, Grounded in the Garden: An artist's guide to creating a beautiful garden in harmony with nature should tell you enough about what to expect in this small but wonderfully condensed garden, just outside Baltinglass. Developed over 25 years, it is a kaleidoscope of colour, with an array of shapes, textures and heights and is probably best described as a gardener's garden. But you won't need green fingers to enjoy it.
The garden comprises of a lower cobbled courtyard with its potting shed and a sunken meditation room leading to the main courtyard with a small wildlife pond. Both these areas house an extensive collection of plants from the hardy to the tender and exotic. Circular granite steps lead to the inner garden with its borders of herbaceous perennials, tender plants and annuals and unusual shrubs and trees. Patthana is gardened organically with many plants chosen for their attraction to wildlife. In 2020, the garden was expanded following the purchase of adjoining land and a new garden called the 'Torc' garden was created and opened to the public in 2021, an area of pasture that had in it a selection of grasses and some wildflower. There are many events and workshops taking place throughout the summer and TJ's partner Simon Kirby serves amazing tea.
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Open every Friday & Sunday 12-5pm, April to September, Kiltegan, County Wicklow. Garden entry is €8.00.
June Blake's Garden, Tinode, Blessington
In the wee neighbourhood of Tinode, near Blessington, lies the home and enchanting garden of June Blake, and a visit here is like stepping into one of those Ladybird books with prairie-style planting and winding cobble paths against the focal point, which is Tinode House, built in 1860.
All beds are raised and rectangular and are enclosed by dry stone walls and the paths lead the eye to the house. The gardens are spread over three acres, surrounded by a huddle of award-winning granite-stone farm conversions, which are available to stay one should you decide to make a night out of a pleasant day in the country. Booking is essential.
For groups of 15 or more, booking a garden tour with June is advised. It is also possible to book refreshments and cakes in The Grinding House and there is ample parking for buses and cars.
Open April to September, from Thursday to Sunday, 11.00am to 5pm. Coffee/refreshments served only on Saturdays and Sundays. Entry is free but parking is €2.
National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh
Having recently hosted its annual Rhododendron Week to show off its splendid trail, the 52-acre gardens, which are open year-round, are basking in the latest news that visitor numbers last year soared by some 21pc. It's not hard to discern why. Firstly, it's free to enter and explore; there are great facilities for family picnics, or you can dine in the cafe; plus there is always lots of new of planting so you will never really visit the same gardens twice.
Kilmacurragh is particularly famous for its conifer and of course the rhododendron collections, while rare shrubs and plants also abound. Many of the species grown in the gardens are so rare that they may be the only one or two of their kind in Europe or even the Northern Hemisphere.
There are free guided tours daily at 12pm and 3pm from mid March to mid October. However, the gates close if it gets to full, and the weekends do get very busy.
Hunting Brook Gardens, Tinode, Blessington
If you have visited June Blake's garden and fancy checking out what one of her siblings is up to, then Jimi Blake's garden, which he began building in 2001 when he secured 20 acres of his family estate in Blessington, is a dream.
Nestled in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, Hunting Brook Gardens is made up of five acres of contemporary exotic gardens and 15 acres of woodland gardens and valley which are perfect for that day's respite. Designed to be a thoroughly immersive experience, the gardens are home to one of Ireland's largest private collections of plants and are a riot of colour, shape and texture. A bit like Kilmacurragh, the gardens are always on the move with fresh surprises at every visit and you can easily spend a day walking through what is really a secluded botanical paradise. There are tea rooms and visitors can also bring their own picnics.
The gardens are open from April until September, Thursday to Saturday, from 11am to 4pm. Adult tickets are €10 and kids go free. Visit for details of courses, which are run both on site and online.
Russborough House and Gardens
Considered one of Ireland's most beautiful Georgian houses, Russborough offers magnificent views of the Blessington Lakes and Wicklow Mountains and is home to renowned art collections.
But if its the gardens you've come for then this 200-acre estate offers walks and trails, a spectacular children's playground and fairy trail, and the National Bird of Prey Centre. Visitors can also see original 18th century features including a circular Hippodrome, the Walled Garden, Lady's Island with its Japanese inspired bridge, the ice-house, the lime kiln and the serpentine lakes.
The glorious parkland walk is about two kilometres long and takes about 30 minutes and there are information boards which allow a pause. Also located here is a large beech hedge maze that is popular with visitors of all ages, so allow a bit of time to get lost . . . navigate.
The Kitchen Garden Cafe serves up a nice selection of light lunches in warm and comfortable surroundings. There is also a delightful gift shop that sells gorgeous artisan handcrafted souvenirs and gifts.
Russborough House is open for guided tours from December to March and the gardens are open throughout the year. Park tickets are €6.50 and children under five go free. You can book on
Victor's Way, Roundwood
While this is not a garden in the traditional sense, a visit here is a must given there is nothing like it in the county; nor, probably, the country.
The Indian sculpture park, in the village of Roundwood, was last year unveiled as one of the most-loved Irish tourist spots based on user ratings on Tripadvisor. The sculpture garden is spread out over 22 acres and contains 33 black granite and three bronze sculptures ranging from 5ft to 15ft. The most recent addition is the statue of 'The Last Irish Druid', an 18-foot piece that is a sight to behold.
It takes approximately one hour to walk around the park but there are plenty of places to stop and take a breath and admire the setting. All the sculptures were designed in Roundwood and then hand cut in a dedicated workshop in Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu in India.
It's owner, Victor, advises that his garden was designed for 'disillusioned adults between 28 (minus 10) and 60 (plus 30) needing some quality time out and a bite of serendipity to reflect on the wider canvas of life, specifically their own'. Because some of the sculptures are a little bit scary, it's not recommended for children.
