The Lodge at Ashford Castle
County Mayo, Ireland
The warmest Irish hospitality
Originally built in 1865 for the Estate Manager of 800-year-old Ashford Castle, our elegant white-washed Lodge has views to rival the best in the world. Windows frame inspiring vistas out over placid Lough Corrib, one of Ireland’s largest lakes, backed by the rolling, emerald hills of Connemara.
The Lodge offers country house charm, fine dining in Wilde’s Restaurant and an exceptional collection of estate activities. This is one of Ireland’s finest wedding destinations, pairing warm Irish hospitality with a modern appeal.
The hotel will reopen 2nd June. We very much look forward to welcoming our guests back to the Ashford Estate.
Cape Point Nature Reserve
“The fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth,” is how Sir Francis Drake described Cape Point, when he sailed around this rugged coastline in 1580. Since then the south-western tip of the Cape Peninsula has become an icon of the city, as famous for its dramatic coastline as the wild nature reserve that protects it. Coastal walks here offer historic shipwrecks and wonderful birding, while well-marked paths meander through the indigenous fynbos of this World Heritage Site. The seas and tidal pools are a haven for fishing, surfing and swimming, while the ‘Flying Dutchman’ funicular whisks visitors to the original lighthouse to admire the spectacular coastal views.
The City Walk
The centre of Cape Town is a vibrant colourful precinct filled with museums, monuments, gardens and historic corners to discover. A guided city walk is the best way to understand Cape Town’s colourful, turbulent history through the eyes of a local. The hotel concierge will be glad to assist with information and bookings. After your tour, take some time to discover the boutiques, galleries and restaurants that make the inner city a vibrant shopping and dining destination.
Constantia Winelands
The Constantia valley is the historic home of the Cape wine industry. At Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest producing wine estate, a modern tasting room and heritage museum unpack the rich history and bright future of the valley. Nearby estates offer tutored tastings, cellar experiences and vineyard safaris, and the valley is home to a number of the city’s leading restaurants.
Table Mountain
The quickest way to reach the top of Table Mountain is on the modern aerial cableway which whisks visitors to the summit in just five minutes, with rotating cars offering spectacular views of the mountain, city and surrounding oceans. On the summit, a casual restaurant offers dining with a view, with well-marked walking trails if you’d like to explore further afield. The most popular walk is the easy path to Maclear’s Beacon, the summit of Table Mountain at 3563-feet above sea level.
V&A Waterfront
Built in and around Cape Town’s working port, this ever-popular destination combines world-class shopping, dining and entertainment with the charm and character of the historic harbour. Malls offer hundreds of shops, from international fashion to local brands, alongside dozens of restaurants dishing up everything from classic fish and chips to fine dining with a sea view. The ‘V&A’ also offers movie theatres, the Cape Wheel observation wheel, harbour tours and self-guided historical walks.