Mount Stewart House & Garden
| County: | Co. Down |
| Tel: | 028-4278 8387 |
| Fax: | 028-4278 8569 |
| Email: | mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk |
Home of the Londonderry family since the mid 18th Century, Mount Stewart is full of wonderful artefacts and treasures. The gardens were planted in the 1920s by Edith, Lady Londonderry and consist of vibrant parterres and formal and informal vistas. Many unusual and rare plants thrive in the mild climate of the area.
The Temple of the Winds, James “Athenian” Stuart’s banqueting hall of 1785 overlooks Strangford Lough and is a short distance from the main house. The house tour includes world famous paintings and interesting stories about the Londonderry family.
Visitors can relax in the Bay Restaurant and enjoy culinary delights made from quality ingredients and excellent local produce. A National
Trust shop also offers a wide selection of gifts and local crafts.
General Information
| Address: | Near Newtownards, Co. Down, BT22 2AD |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 028-4278 8387 |
| Fax: | 028-4278 8569 |
| Email: | mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk |
| Website: | http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk |
| Location: | 5 miles from Newtownards on Portaferry Road-A20 |
| Season: | House & Formal Garden: Mar-Oct Lakeside Garden: All Year |
| Open Times: | Lakeside Gardens: 10-6 Formal Gardens: Mar-Oct: 10-6 House: Mar-Oct: 12-6 |
| Tours: | Max No: 15, Duration: 45 minutes, Languages: English, French & German |
| Booking Contact: | mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk |
| Manager: | Susan Roberts (0044 (28) 4278 7817) |
| Average Visit Length: | 3 hours |
| Entrance Fees: |
House & Gardens: Adult: Stg£7.00 Child: Stg£3.50 Family: Stg£17.50 Group: Stg£6.00 |
| Exhibition: | Yes |
| Restaurant: | The Bay Restaurant. Fully licenced (seats 60) |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Shop: | Souvenir, books, crafts and plants. |
| Information Guide: | English, French, German, Italian & Spanish |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Schools
Foundation & KS1
Little Lady Helen Plays a Trick - Mid March to end of October each year except Tuesday. Pupils change into costume & meet the Governess who will bring them back 100 years. Through story time they will contrast of two little girls who lived there. The Estate Party - A Christmas Programme - Set in December 1950 discover how the grandchildren of 7th Marquis are preparing for Christmas
Foundation The Ark Club - Go back to early summer 1927. Little Mairi decides to explore her favourite parts of the house & garden
Foundation Rainbow Chips - A Senses Trail: Using the beautiful formal gardens at Mount Stewart as a backdrop, use your senses to explore. Find out more about how animals & insects use their senses.
KS2
You Rang M’Lord - A living history programme in Victorian times. Servants urgently required by the housekeeper at Mount Stewart to assist in the preparation & serving of a magnificent dinner to be held by Lord & Lady Londonderry in honour of the completion of Scarbo Tower
The Magic Inkpot - An Autumn programme based around the celebration of Hallowe’en & customs & folklife in the Ards Peninsula. Meet the Housekeeper & travel back in time to October 1928. Find out about the preparations being made for the family’s visit. What food is on offer? What are neaps & tatties? How will the family be celebrating? Dress as Guisers. Examine samples of local corn craft & make your own bookmark to take home
Contact the education officer 028-4278 8569 or ann.conerney(at)nationaltrust.org.uk
Opening Times
Lakeside Gardens:
10.00-18.00 Daily
Formal Gardens:
13 Mar-31 Oct: 10.00-18.00 Daily
House:
13 Mar-31 Oct: 11.00-18.00 Daily (except Wed) / BHols
2 Apr-11 Apr: 11.00-18.00 Daily (Easter)
Temple of the Winds:
14 Mar-31 Oct: 14.00-17.00 Sunday's Only
Bay Restaurant & Shop:
1 Jan-26 Feb: 10.00-15.00 Mon-Fri / 10.00-17.00 Sat-Sun
27 Feb-31 Oct: 10.00-17.00 Mon-Sun
1 Nov-31 Dec: 10.00-15.00 Mon-Fri / 10.00-17.00 Sat-Sun
Last Admission to house & gardens 1 hour before closing. Timed Tickets apply to house tours. Closed 25th & 26th Dec.
Mount Stewart Tree Planting
Mount Stewart House and Gardens, just outside Newtownards, is as famous for their idiosyncratic garden rooms such as the Shamrock garden, Spanish and Italian gardens, as they are for the plants which inhabit them. The unique micro climate which is found on this part of the Ards peninsula, has allowed many rare and exotic plants to bloom. Making this National Trust property truly World famous. To celebrate the diversity of both Mount Stewart and the ethnic diversity of Northern Ireland members of the Chinese and Polish communities will be accompanied by Paul Stewart of the National Trust and local political
representatives on the 29th October at 1pm for the ceremonial planting of two trees; one to represent the Chinese community and one to represent the Polish community.
Anna Lo, MLA, said "I welcome this event which celebrates the diversity of Northern Ireland by incorporating our two largest ethnic minority groups. The growing diversity of our population should be reflected through inclusive approaches that incorporate minorities and make them feel part of our society. I congratulate the initiative taken by Paul Stewart of the National Trust in instigating greater ethnic minority participation in National Trust sites. The gardens at Mount Stewart are rich in diversity and history and I welcome the planting of these two trees to reflect our ever-evolving society."
Virtual Visit
Want to take a Virtual Visit of Mount Stewart House? You can see what many attractions are like before visiting with this 360 degree view! Click on the button below to see:
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