SatNav took us to the rear of the property which wasn't the greatest start! We visited the property right before the close of the season but even though the gardens weren’t at their best, it was still a great visit. The gardens both formal and walled kitchen gardens are under repair and maintenance which is great to see. There are great views from the back gardens over the house to the ocean and from the front of the house across the lawns to the sea. The stables are also very interesting and photogenic. There aren’t a lot of rooms in the house to see but those that are available are interesting and each has an information leaflet allowing self guiding. Much of the house is off limits for accommodation rentals and private family use. I would have liked to see a little more about the overall floor plan of the house at the different stages of development, especially as the main staircase has multiple half levels which is unusual. Definitely worth the entrance fee.

Visited here today. It was well worth the drive from Bandon. Don't be put off by the occasional negative reviews on here. Some of them probably arose only due to the problems caused by Covid. I saw nothing that merited such comments today. The house and gardens are well presented, the views of Bzntry Bay from thr front are inspiring, the cafe was good. The are about 10 rooms in the house you can visit, more than I was expecting. They allowed me to play the piano on the middle landing. It was in a reasonable condition, the acoustics of its location were excellent, allowing the sound to drift through the public rooms. Some other visitors appreciated my efforts. (the lighting at this point could be improved perhaps). So thank you for that, by itself it merits my 5 star review. I understand the family effort that must go into keeping this place running and financially viable.

Went to Bantry House & Garden as a break on our trip from Cork to Killarney. Perfect weather to view the gardens and lake. The stables are still in disrepair but the gardens are blooming with terraced steps to more trails and views. The house and gardens are still property of the original family who are working there and refurbishing it slowly. The inside showed its age but the furnishings and what has been renovated shows its promise. Plus the views of the area are wonderful.

What a find! I've been to lots of stately homes throughout the UK but this was my 1st in Ireland. The House is an example of how difficult it is to save buildings and their contents for future generations. You need to look beyond the examples of peeling wallpaper, worn rugs and torn fabrics to see the stunning beauty of such a place. There are loads of exhibits to view, handy information sheets, evocative rooms, beautiful decorations and a wonderful guide. Most people will only scratch the surface, wander the rooms and conclude that this fading glory needs further investment but therein lies my excitement. Most stately homes you visit have been very well preserved, tweaked and polished for their visitors but Bantry House is a work in progress where you can appreciate the original scale and grandeur and yet see that the state of decline has been halted and, in places, arrested. May be you have to be a history lover to appreciate a place such as this: I spent 2 hours in the House and my partner spent 15 minutes! If you don't appreciate the House you will certainly enjoy the gardens and the views:- Climb the 100 Steps, look out over Bantry Bay, visit the old stables, see the formal gardens and the fountain.

Beautiful house 14 euro each for a entry to house and gardens which we thought was great value Not all of the house is opened for visiting but I understand that it is still lived in and one part is used as a B&B You can walk around at your leisure (I prefer this to a guided tour) so you can spend as much or as little time as you like. Information on each room is there to read. We really enjoyed our walk around the gardens which is a work in progress as is the house. There is a lovely little tea room and as it was a nice day, we could sit outside with our coffee overlooking the beautiful Bantry Bay We look forward to coming back again and seeing what progress has been made with the replanting of the gardens

While kayaking Aaron our instructor from Bantry Bay Boat hire, told us about this very interesting home so we decided to visit. It was like walking back in time. We were delighted to be there at the time of the tour of the house. It’s was given by the very engaging and knowledgeable 10th generation member of the White family Julie. If you visit do the tour by Julie. It’s a must. If you like history and being immersed in your heritage you will enjoy this. We climbed the 100 steps up to the 7th terrace to take in the beautiful view of Bantry bay and followed this by some lunch in the house. Staff are very friendly and welcoming. We did have some bother figuring out the visitors entrance but we were so keen to visit we rang 3 times to discover we were at the exit entrance for staying guests. It does say welcome inside the locked gates that confused us. So To access for day time visits , leaving Bantry you should pass by a garage on your left. I hope sometime to book into their B&B for the full experience. Congratulations to Julie and her mother and all involved in restoring, maintaining and sharing this amazing home and Irish heritage. Don’t leave Bantry without visiting. It’s a treasure.

Not one for House & Garden visits but this was different. Bantry House and Garden is privately owned and must be a real passion and equally a huge responsibility for its owners. Julie Shelswell-White personally does a tour most days at 2pm, and gets a lot into the hour or so. I would recommend a visit and I personally would revisit Bantry House and Garden whenever I'm in the locality again. Tip - don't leave until you sample some of the generous and delicious cakes on sale in the Cafe - best value in Ireland!! & take a walk through up the forest path towards the wall Garden (a wonderful work in progress)

Nice place to visit. Plenty of free parking. 5 euros a person to visit the house. Great place located on the water. Beautiful views. We walked around the gardens and the trails quite a bit. We had nice weather so it was fun. The inside of the house is nice. Fully furnished rooms with period pieces. Some places you can't go because some folks still live there. Good fun.

A group of women, all of us in Ireland for an art retreat, decided to make a spontaneous visit to Bantry House—and what a memorable decision it was! We contacted David to arrange a private tea and tour, and he was incredibly kind and accommodating. They prepared a private tea for us in the library, which turned out to be the most romantic and thoughtful tea experience we’ve ever had, even compared to the finest places we’ve visited around the world. The tea had an intimacy and warmth that made it truly special, from the delicate selection of treats to the quiet ambiance of the crackling fire and the beautiful surroundings. Afterward, David led the public tour. His knowledge, humor, and humility were impressive as he engaged with each of us, answering all of our questions and tailoring the experience to our interests. The personal touch made the tour feel dynamic and enriching. The gardens of Bantry House were simply breathtaking, especially on a cool fall day. We took our time photographing the flowers and soaking in the peacefulness together. For those who didn’t want to take the stairs, we found a charming path through the woods that offered a scenic and less tiring way to reach the top, revealing the view all at once, which was a magical moment in itself. We all agree that we’d love to visit Bantry House again and have already recommended it to friends. While the tea room is likely just as delightful, our private tea in the library will be a cherished memory for years to come—an experience marked by thoughtfulness, beauty, and the joy of sharing it with loved ones. Thank you to the Shelswell-White family for opening your home, and David (& crew) for the lovely experience!

Bantry House & Garden is located in Bant y Bay, in Southwestern Ireland. Nowadays, it is a private house, which is possible to visit and a part is reconverted in a hotel. We visited the house and the gardens last October and really it was wonderful. The rooms of the house are very interesting and you can learn about the history, the owner's family and the house. For me, the best part is walking around the gardens, from where you can see probably the best views of the bay and the house. Also, you can find some ruins in the garden, while you walk and relax there. Great photos! Top in our travel!