Highlights
- The Italian Garden and the Sunk Garden in front of the house
- The Shamrock Garden with its topiary harp and figures
- The Dodo Terrace of concrete animals from the wartime Ark club
- The Spanish Garden, inspired by the Generalife in Granada
- The lake walk, especially in autumn colour
About Mount Stewart
Mount Stewart stands on the Portaferry Road, 15 miles south-east of Belfast, and was home to the Londonderry family for generations. The neo-classical house sits within a large demesne of parkland, woods and a lake.
The gardens as they are today were largely shaped by Edith, Lady Londonderry in the 1920s and 1930s. She filled them with personal stories, from statues of friends given animal nicknames to blue and white planting honouring the Women's Legion she led in the First World War. The site's mild microclimate lets plants thrive here that are rarely found so far north.
What to see
- Sunk Garden: planted from a sketch in one of Lady Londonderry's garden notebooks dated 1922.
- Italian Garden: statues and herms, with planting based on her 1935 article for the RHS Journal.
- Shamrock Garden: topiary figures from Irish myth and a topiary harp, with eucalyptus and maples for autumn colour.
- Dodo Terrace: concrete animals representing members of the Ark, a wartime social club whose members included Winston Churchill.
- Spanish Garden and Mairi Garden: cypress hedges, a tiled casita and a blue and white garden.
- Rose Garden and Walled Garden: with the Vinery, home to a vine planted in the 18th century and thought to be the oldest in Ireland.
Planning your visit
Mount Stewart is on the A20; satnavs may lead to a back gate that is closed to the public, so follow the signs on the Portaferry Road. Parking is free. Translink buses 9 and 10 from Newtownards stop at the front gates. There is a tea room, shop, plant sales and second-hand bookshop, with accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility. In winter the lawns of the formal gardens close, and the Vinery is under long-term refurbishment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Mount Stewart?
Standard 2026 prices are £17.60 for adults and £8.80 for children with Gift Aid, or £16 and £8 without. A family ticket is £44 with Gift Aid. Cheaper off-peak prices apply at certain times, and National Trust members and under 5s go free.
Can I bring my dog to Mount Stewart?
Yes. Dogs on leads are welcome across the estate, and there is an off-lead exercise area by the Shepherd's Hut. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house and the indoor area of the tea room.
Is Mount Stewart accessible?
The lake walk and formal gardens are accessible, though some areas have steps and uneven ground. Mobility scooters and outdoor wheelchairs can be booked. The house lift is currently out of order, but the ground floor is accessible.
Is parking free at Mount Stewart?
Yes, parking is free in two car parks, with Blue Badge spaces in Car Park 1.