Landmark Victorian garden reopens after extensive restoration in County Down
Castlewellan Forest Park, County Down
Hidden within the woodland of Castlewellan Forest Park, County Down, the Annesley Walled Garden feels like a Victorian secret brought back to life. Created in the 1850s and planted with an extraordinary mix of rare and exotic species, it has always been one of the region’s most remarkable formal gardens. Now, after a meticulous two‑year restoration, it’s open once more — refreshed, reimagined and ready to welcome visitors back through its historic gates.
During its heyday between 1874 and 1910, the garden flourished thanks to the combined talents of Hugh Annesley, the 5th Earl of Annesley, and Limerick-born Head Gardener, Thomas Ryan. Together, they transformed it from a relatively unknown space into the internationally known destination it is today. In 2018, Annesley became the first garden on the island of Ireland to receive the prestigious International Dendrology Society Plaque for having an exceptional collection of trees and shrubs.
A restored retreat with views to match
Tucked into the sun‑catching lower slopes of Slievenaslat, the Victorian garden unfolds across 12.5 acres of walled pathways, rare trees and wide‑open views stretching to the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea. It has long been a place to wander, breathe and feel a world away — and its ambitious restoration has brought that magic sharply back to life.
Head Gardener Alwyn Sinnamon says visitors can now see the transformation across 12 major projects: the gleaming glasshouses restored to their former glory, fountains flowing once more, the ornate Butterfly Gates returned to full splendour, and the sweeping double herbaceous borders — the longest in the region — bursting back into colour.
“The project also reopened and restored the old lost garden, known as the Rhododendron Wood, which had been impassable for decades,” Alwyn notes. “Now, visitors venturing up to the Rhododendron Wood viewpoint are treated to a beautiful view of Slieve Donard framed by two Scots pines.”
As well as focusing on carrying out specialist tree surgery and a wealth of new planting, the team at Annesley worked on the restoration of the Mermaid Fountain Rockery and the herbaceous borders.
“Restoring these parts of the garden gave us the chance to express our individual passions,” says Alwyn. “It makes the space feel more personal for us and strengthens our connection to it.”
Castlewellan Forest Park, County Down
A garden reawakened
Strolling the gardens here, where fountains flow for the first time in eight years, and glasshouses bloom with heat-loving plants, you get the sense of a place well cared for. More than 600 trees have been planted, including endangered species such as Chinese Swamp Cypress. The old paths – long buried under leaf mulch and weeds – have also been reopened, restoring beautiful views of the Mourne Mountains.
Interestingly, the restoration also led to some discoveries. “Some of the plants rediscovered in the Rhododendron Wood are very old and came from Kew Gardens in 1885, and the Old Bog garden has also been restored,” explains Alwyn.
“During the project, we dug out all the remaining plants, potted them up and kept them to use again, and as we worked, we were surprised to find the original old stone layout emerging from the mud. Once we reestablished it, we got the water flowing into the old channels again, recreating the streams and pools. The area is now replanted with a range of damp-loving plants, and we are excited to see how they do over this coming growing season.”
Castlewellan Gardens, County Down
A place for all seasons
Along with the reopening of the Annesley Garden, Castlewellan is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of its 6,000 Yew Tree Peace Maze. Opened to the public in September 2001, it was created through a combined community effort involving thousands of local school children and volunteers. The maze adds an interesting dimension to a visit to Castlewellan and Annesley, a destination that offers ever-changing beauty throughout the seasons.
“There is something to see all year round,” says Alwyn, “from beautiful magnolia and rhododendron flowers in the spring, the double herbaceous borders in the summer and fantastic colour throughout the garden in autumn. Winter is also a good time to visit, as our champion Golden Scots pine puts on its beautiful hue throughout the colder months.”
The restoration has ensured these seasonal pleasures are here to stay. And with a visitor hub opening later in the summer, as well as guided walks and a variety of events, there has never been a better time to visit Annesley Walled Garden and Castlewellan Forest Park.