Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens
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Closed until 31 Oct 2025
Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens
Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until Oct 31, 2025
About
Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens is famous for its magnificent Regency period house, beautiful formal gardens and world renowned arboretum. It is located 12km east of Cork City on the northern shore of Cork Harbour, adjacent to Cobh. Fota House was built by the Smith Barry family and was redesigned by John "The Magnificent" Smith Barry in the 1820’s. Today you can hear Fota's legendary stories for yourself with guided tours led by a team of volunteers whose passion for heritage is contagious!Our guides will show you the grand principle rooms with their exquisite decor. A special feature is our service wing, where you can experience what life was like for the cooks, butlers, footmen and maids who supported the lavish lifestyles of the gentry. Experience the the heavenly rose garden and explore the arboretum where you will discover a host of rare and majestic trees. A key feature of our recent restoration programme is the Victorian Frameyard Garden, now one of the finest in the country. Visitors can also enjoy top class food in the cafe and browse in the gift shop, Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens is a charitable organisation and is managed by the Irish Heritage Trust. Our high season is from April to September, when the house is open for public tours. A guided tour of the house is €8 per person.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
207 reviews
Excellent
151
Very good
42
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
4
kandcbuxton
Watford, UK48 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
One of the best period houses we have ever visited. We were a small group ably guided by Mary whose grandfather was the Head Gardener here two generations ago, so lots of personal anecdotes to bring the whole of its life into focus. Any Catherine Cookson readers of "Katie Mulholland", will be interested in the two "green baize doors".!
Written 14 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B L
Denver, CO110 contributions
Mar 2022
Since it was early March the Fota House was not open and the cafe was closed. Tours were not available.
The gardens are beautiful with a diverse set of plants from temperate areas around the world.. The paths were able to accommodate a baby stroller without any problems.
There were very few visitors and ample parking, but the people we were staying with said it was very busy in the summer.
The gardens are beautiful with a diverse set of plants from temperate areas around the world.. The paths were able to accommodate a baby stroller without any problems.
There were very few visitors and ample parking, but the people we were staying with said it was very busy in the summer.
Written 26 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LexiR
Cork, Ireland406 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Absolutely stunning gardens. Maintained beautifully. Plenty of room for social distancing. Lovely little cafe (currently being operated from the window because of covid) where there’s good coffee & cake to be bought. Gardens are free but there is a €3 charge for the car park so make sure to have change for it.
Written 14 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you LexiR. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit not to mention the coffee and cake!
Please call again soon.
The story of the house is a fascinating one and it is open seven days a week for tours.
regards
Bryan Conlon
Visitor Services Manager
Written 4 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eve O
1 contribution
Dec 2021 • Couples
Came here with my husband and 11month for his first trip to see Santa. The overall experience leading up to seeing Santa was very good and it was lovely to walk around the old house.
When we got there it was pouring rain and we went to take shelter under the enter ace of the house as there was nobody there. We were quickly told we’re weren’t allowed to stand there.
When we saw Santa there was no option to have a proper photo taken. We were asked for our phones (which during Covid is unsanitary) and every single picture we have is blurry.
It’s really disappointing and not really what your paying to go to Santa for. When we got out of the room we were carrying three coats two bags and an 11month old we asked could we put his coat on before goi g outside (as we were shoed out the door from Santa and it again was still pouring rain outside) but we were told no we had to go straight out. There was nobody in the hall.
Overall probably wouldn’t recommend it to be honest which again is such a shame.
When we got there it was pouring rain and we went to take shelter under the enter ace of the house as there was nobody there. We were quickly told we’re weren’t allowed to stand there.
When we saw Santa there was no option to have a proper photo taken. We were asked for our phones (which during Covid is unsanitary) and every single picture we have is blurry.
It’s really disappointing and not really what your paying to go to Santa for. When we got out of the room we were carrying three coats two bags and an 11month old we asked could we put his coat on before goi g outside (as we were shoed out the door from Santa and it again was still pouring rain outside) but we were told no we had to go straight out. There was nobody in the hall.
Overall probably wouldn’t recommend it to be honest which again is such a shame.
Written 22 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just So
6 contributions
May 2024 • Business
We attended a Local Enterprise event at Fota House and Gardens with Hanna's Bees and it was one of the best events I have ever attended. We had a presentation in the house then a walk to the walled gardens where we had a delicious lunch and then Ian the head gardener took us on a wonderful and informative tour of the garden and orchard. His knowledge was impressive and he was great to answer questions. The whole event from start to finish was very enjoyable.
Written 22 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivia C
Waterford, Ireland121 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
An amazing experience. On the day we visited we had intended to walk around the beautiful gardens but we stumbled on an Orchard Tour. We were taken around the various poly tunnels and orchard by gardener Ian. Although apples were not ready for picking it was interesting to see the different varieties - some of which we were familiar with, other new to us.
We also looked into the polytunnels to see cucumbers, gherkins and chilies growing. The various varieties of tomatoes were very interesting -these include brown tomatoes.
We finished our tour back at the house where we relaxed for a while with coffee and cake, served by a very friendly, helpful young man called Adam.
We hope to return very soon, the next time to take a tour of the house itself.
We also looked into the polytunnels to see cucumbers, gherkins and chilies growing. The various varieties of tomatoes were very interesting -these include brown tomatoes.
We finished our tour back at the house where we relaxed for a while with coffee and cake, served by a very friendly, helpful young man called Adam.
We hope to return very soon, the next time to take a tour of the house itself.
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bonsai82
5 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We visited fota house on monday for the last tour of the day . Our guide was Mike who was fantastic very knowledgeable and brought the house alive with the stories. As a small family group we all enjoyed very much. This is my 2nd visit and I'll be back again. Wonderful house and we got a very warm friendly welcome from staff on arrival. One of my favourite houses in this country . Ps if you want to no about the servants and kitchens this is the house for you . 5 stars 🥰😍
Written 19 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon M
Dublin, Ireland17 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
As a member of The Irish Heritage Trust, and having had a lovely tour of Johnstown Castle earlier this year, I took the opportunity to join a tour of Fota House last week. Our guide Michael gave us a fascinating account of the history of the house over the centuries. Really enjoyed it. Like stepping into Downton Abbey!
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LexiR
Cork, Ireland406 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Had a lovely time here yesterday for the Snakes and Shamrocks trail. The kids loved doing the trail and reading the facts and completing the trail. They were delighted with their jelly snakes at the end. This was followed by lots of running around and exploring in the gorgeous gardens and tree climbing. Lovely cafe which has good coffee and pastries.
Written 20 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Y
Silver Spring, MD4,040 contributions
Aug 2019
This was my 2nd visit to Fota House and Gardens. However this time we did a guided tour of the mansion. It was really cool and informative.
We then checked out the surrounding gardens and orangery.
Gardens are well kept and the cafe still remains a treat!
We then checked out the surrounding gardens and orangery.
Gardens are well kept and the cafe still remains a treat!
Written 20 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Steve
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are thrilled that you have taken the tour of Fota House and found it cool!
Please call again soon. The House and Gardens are open seven days a week.
regards
Bryan Conlon
Visitor Services Manager.
Written 4 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hi
is the cafe still in the House? Bakestone cafe sounds as if its in the orangery and also in the retail park down the road.
anne
Written 17 July 2019
Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Cork, Ireland
Good morning Anne Marie, apologies for very late reply but just to confirm what the other contributors have said, 'Bakestone at Fota House' is still located in what was the Billiard Room, which is on the ground floor of the house, just beside the welcome desk.
Hope to see you here soon for a cuppa.
regards
Bryan Conlon
Visitors Services Manager
Written 7 August 2019
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