Struggling to get those steps in?

We find it helps to have something to look at while you’re exercising and in Cork’s many historic gardens, you can burn off some calories while taking in some truly gorgeous scenery and collecting wholesome outdoorsy shots for the ‘Gram.

Recently featured in a new visitor guide published by The Office of Public Works, Anne’s Grove is a historic estate located near Castletownroche. It was the home of the Annesley family from the 1600s until 2015 when it was gifted to the Irish state and the Office of Public Works carried out extensive works to the house, outbuildings, and gardens before re-opening the site to the public in 2022.

“Richard Arthur Grove Annesley inherited Anne’s Grove in 1892 and developed the landscape in the Robinsonian style in the early 1900s,” they explain.

“He supported the plant-hunting expeditions led by Frank Kingdon-Ward to Tibet, Yunan Province, Burma, and Bhutan and assembled an exotic collection of plants. Some of the spectacular flowering shrubs dating from this period include Cornus cousa, Embothrium, eucryphia, and Hoheria.”

Look out for the gorgeous stonework, detailed ironwork, and stunning terrace as you make your way around the property. There’s also a beautiful stream running through the gardens so bring a picnic blanket to make the most of the views.

Anne’s Grove Gardens is open from March 31st to September 25th, Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm and you’ll find directions here. Because the terrain is uneven with open water, dogs are not permitted.