A Guide To Killruddery House And Gardens In Wicklow

If you’re looking for things to do in Bray, a visit to Killruddery House and Gardens is well worth considering.

Less than a 6-minute drive from Bray Town Centre, Killruddery House is a world away from the hustle and bustle. 

Visitors here can explore the house, see it’s impressive formal rooms, saunter through the extensive gardens, or grab a bite at the popular Grain Store.

Discover everything you need-to-know (before you go!) in our guide below! Dive on in!

Some quick need-to-knows about Killruddery House

Although a visit to Killruddery House and Gardens is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Killruddery House is a 6-minute drive from central Bray in County Wicklow. The house and gardens are only a 50-minute drive from the centre of Dublin, making it a wonderful day trip to escape the city. It’s a short drive to several nearby attractions like Enniskerry village, Bray Beach, and countless walks in Wicklow. 

2. Opening hours

The gardens are open from April to October (note: times may change):

• Opening hours in April and October are Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5pm
• May to September, the gardens are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30am to 6pm
• Killruddery House tours are available on specific days during July, August, and September. 

3. Admission

For members, entry to the gardens are free and house tours are €6 p/p. For non members, entrance to the garden ranges from €3 for a child and €8.50 for an adult. A house and garden ticket costs €15.50 (note: prices may change).

4. Great food options

There are several places to eat at Killruddery House. The Grain Store Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and coffee and cake, using produce and ingredients grown on-site in the 800-acre estate. Visitors can also order woodfired pizza, or enjoy delicious cake and light bites in the Fairweather Tea Room. 

5. Filming location

You might recognise the estate and house from several movies and TV series. The scenic location has been used as a filming location for The Tudors, Ella Enchanted, Camelot, The Count of Monte Cristo, Far & Away, Angela’s Ashes, Excalibur, My Left Foot, and more recently, The Turning. 

About Killruddery House

Kilruddery House has been home to the Brabazon Family since 1618. The present-day house was built in 1651 after the original house was destroyed in a fire. 

In 1682, Monsieur Bonet, who is said to have trained at Versailles, was employed to work on the Killruddery gardens. He created the French-Baroque gardens which can still be seen today. 

The house was remodelled and expanded in 1820 to match Elizabethan style, but in 1952, following a dry rot outbreak, it was taken apart and reconstructed, resulting in a smaller house.  

Since then several features have been restored, including the clock tower and old farm yard. 

Things to do at Killruddery House

There are plenty of things to see and do in and around Killruddery House and Gardens.

Here’s a taste of what’s on offer, from the glorious gardens to the excellent dining options.

1. Grab a coffee from the tea rooms

You’ll find the Fairweather Tea Room tucked away in the garden’s Victorian Ornamental Dairy. It has covered and uncovered outdoor seating, with lovely views of the formal gardens. 

It’s great for a light lunch, but if you’re in a rush, grab a coffee to walk around with. 

2. And then explore the gardens

The gardens at Killruddery are an incredible example of 17th-century formal gardens, and luckily, many of the garden’s historic features still exist today. 

A highlight of the estate is the French-Baroque gardens, which include the Sylvan Theatre, the Beech Hedge Pond, and the Long Ponds (two ponds, each over 168 metres long).

An eye-catching feature that was added later on is the Orangery, built in 1852, and inspired by London’s Crystal Palace. 

No visit to the garden is complete without a leisurely walk through the flowering woodland, which is most spectacular during bluebell season.

3. Have a nosey around the house

The only way to have a peek inside the magnificent 17th-century house is to join the guided house tours, which take place Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm, 1pm, and 3pm (times may change).

On the tour, you’ll be able to look into the home’s main formal rooms and admire the elaborate architectural touches like the domed ceiling in the main hall and the intricate plaster ceiling in the library. 

In the main hall keep an eye out for the two carved wooden Wyverns (winged creatures) at the end of the staircase which are the house’s protectors. 

4. Visit the farm market

Every Saturday, Killruddery House hosts a farmers market in the horse yard. It’s a great time to stock up on organic veggies or enjoy indulgent treats from Day’s Kitchen.

The market also sells crafts, body care, homeware, and more. 

5. Sample some of the food

The Grain Store Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, with dishes made using ingredients sourced from the Killruddery gardens and farm.

Enjoy modern twists on beloved classics like free-range chicken and ham hock pie, served with walled garden salad and courgette piccalilli, and Irish free-range bacon scones. 

Things to do near Killruddery House

One of the beauties of Kilruddery House is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Wicklow.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Killruddery!

1. Bray (5-minute drive)

There are countless things to do in Bray, from Bray Beach and the Bray Head Hike to the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk and more. The fact that it’s so close to Killruddery makes it the perfect ‘next-stop’.

2. Powerscourt Waterfall (15-minute drive)

The country’s second tallest waterfall at 121 metres tall, the cascading Powerscourt Waterfall is beautiful year-round. Take the 30-minute scenic walk for unique views of the falls and the lovely surrounding parkland. 

3. The Great Sugarloaf (10-minute drive)

Admire the dominating Great Sugarloaf from afar or tackle the walk to the mountain’s summit which will reward you with amazing views on a clear day. The short route takes roughly one hour, and the long route takes around 2.5. 

4. Glen of the Downs (10-minute drive)

Glen of the Downs is the best example of oak woodland near Dublin. The nature reserve has a 3.6km moderate loop trail that follows a small stream and passes by The Octagon, a ruin dating back to 1766. 

FAQs about Killruddery House in Wicklow

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What was filmed there?’ to ‘Is it free?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.