10 Of The Best Things To Do In Courtown (And Nearby)

If you’re looking for things to do in Courtown, you’ve landed in the right place.

The pretty seaside town of Courtown is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the County Wexford coast.

This beach town has a beautiful sandy strip backed by lush woods which are perfect for a weekend of exploring.

In the guide below, you’ll find heaps of things to do in Courtown, from coffee and sweat treats to walks and unique attractions.

Our favourite things to do in Courtown (and nearby)

The first section of our guide is packed with our favourite things to do in Courtown along with some brilliant nearby attractions.

There’s everything from  Courtown Beach and Courtown Woods to the Wexford Lavender Farm and much more!

1. Kick start your visit with a coffee from Shore Coffee Bar

The first thing to do when you get to Courtown if you’re in need of a pick-me-up is to make a beeline for Shore Coffee Bar. This cute little café is our favourite spot in town for proper coffee.

They also serve a range of delicious and healthy snacks, if you’re feeling a little peckish. Grab a cup to go and then you’re ready to start exploring.

2. Then head for a saunter along Courtown Beach

There are few beaches in Wexford as popular as Courtown Beach. It’s a handy walk from the town centre town and you can mosey down to the sand for a stroll alongside the sea.

The beach is narrow to begin with but widens towards the northern end. If you visit during the winter or autumn, the chances are you’ll find it nice and quiet.

However, when the warmer summer months arrive crowds flock to it, so you’re best off arriving early if you can.

3. Followed by a ramble in Courtown Woods

One of the more popular things to do on Courtown involves stepping off the sand and entering the lush Courtown Woods which back onto the sand.

This pretty forested area is a lovely spot to escape the crowds and there are several easy-going trails to saunter along.

There are trails through the woods, passing by the beach and towering trees. It’s one of the most unique features of Courtown, having both the woods and beach so close together.

4. Take a spin to Wexford Lavender Farm

After your walk, jump in your car and take a spin to Wexford Lavender Farm, just a 20-minute drive away. Just north of Gorey Town, it’s a beautiful spot to enjoy the aroma of lavender and wander amongst the blanket of purple flowers.

The farm has been in the family since 1950 and is registered as an organic farm. They grow mostly Dutch lavender ‘Grosso’ and English lavender ‘Munstead’, if you know your different lavender flowers. 

It’s a great place to take the whole family with a café, maze, activities for kids, plant sales and a gift store all on the farm.

5. Or spend a nice morning climbing Tara Hill

If you’re up for more of an active morning, you can take the 15-minute drive north of Courtown to Tara Hill. While often confused with the Hill of Tara in Meath, this isolated hill in Wexford offers some great walks and incredible views over the coast. 

There are a couple of different trails to do there. The red marked loop takes you around the base of the hill, but it’s the blue loop which offers the best views. It takes you up to the top of the hill for panoramic views over the area.

Although the trails are around 5km each, they’re moderately difficult, due to the steepness. See our Wexford walks guide for more nearby strolls.

Other popular things to do in Courtown (and nearby)

The next section of our guide looks at a mix of things to do in Courtown and places to visit a very short drive away.

Below, you’ll find everything from walks and hikes to tours, rainy-day attractions and more.

1. Take the kids to Pirates Cove

If you’re wondering what to do in Courtown when it’s raining, head to Pirates Cove. They have so many activities and games for a range of ages, with a mix of indoor and outdoor options.

Their mini golf course is one of the best in Ireland, with giant caves, a waterfall and large shipwreck. The kids can also try the bumper boats and paddle boats in the pond.

If it’s raining, you can opt for the 10-pin bowling, children’s go-karts and games arcade.

2. Head for a ramble around Wells House & Gardens

A 20-minute drive to the south of Courtown, you can explore the stunning Victorian era Wells House & Gardens. If you want to learn about the history, you can opt for a guided tour of the 17th century house on weekends.

Otherwise, the gardens and grounds of the estate are perfect for the whole family. There are fairytale themed woodland walks, pretty gardens, an animal farm, and adventure playground.

With plenty to do across 450 acres, there’s hours of fun for all ages.

3. Visit one of the many nearby beaches

There are so many beaches on the Wexford coast – over 35 of them, in fact. You can easily hop to another beach from Courtown, with a number of excellent spots nearby.

To the north of Courtown, you have Ballymoney Beach which is just 10 minutes away and a lovely sandy cove which is great for a stroll. 

Morriscastle Beach is a popular beach around 25 minutes away from Courtown with plenty of room to go for a long walk.

4. Spend an afternoon at the Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Centre

A visit to the Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Centre is arguably one of the most unique things to do in Courtown and it’s popular amongst young and old alike.

This incredible volunteer-run facility is just back from the beach in Courtown and it’s here that they rescue and rehabilitate seal pups from around the coast.

Their Visitor Centre is open to the public for a feeding experience at limited times throughout the summer. It’s a completely unique place to take the kids and learn about this fantastic organisation.

5. Step back in time at Ferns Castle

A 20-minute drive south of Courtown and Gorey, Ferns Castle is a small, ruined castle in the centre of the small town of Ferns. It’s a unique historical site to tour around, with some incredible history to learn.

The former Anglo-Norman fortress is best explored on a guided tour, with very knowledgeable guides available to explain the long history from the 13th century to today. 

While it’s only around half of its original size, it’s one of the lesser known but worthwhile castles to visit in Ireland.

FAQs about what to do in Courtown

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where’s good for a rainy day?’ to ‘What is there to see nearby?’.

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.