I was so wonderfully fortunate to have been invited to sample the amazing beauty of Drenagh Estate. This historic estate is located just outside of Limavady, a short drive from Derry-Londonderry the UK City of Culture 2013. Drenagh is a sizeable estate offering a wide range of services and products, as can be seen on their official website, including the most wonderful setting for exclusive weddings and sumptuous accommodation.
Every since I read this feature piece that Conolly McCausland did with the Londonderry Sentinel in 2012, I've always wanted to visit the Estate, and indeed pieces like this from Davis Photography have only served to wet my appetite for the grounds of Drenagh Estate.
The Parkland gardens are full of some awesome Heritage Trees, like this Sycamore (Listed with Tree Council of Ireland) which is just huge..., there is another Sycamore listed with the Tree Council of Ireland too
The Parkland gardens are full of some awesome Heritage Trees, like this Sycamore (Listed with Tree Council of Ireland) which is just huge..., there is another Sycamore listed with the Tree Council of Ireland too
The grounds around Drenagh are littered with fabulous picture opportunities, and amazing venues for wedding photography, like this Moon Garden area, one of the few buildings that pre-date the 18th century mansion house on the Drenagh estate.
completely covered Moon Garden area
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some wonderful Wisteria can be found in the Moon Garden
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There is near 1000 acres within Drenagh Estate and the gardens themselves are ample, the original architect laid out a terraced garden, which can be viewed from this impressive vantage point...I'd say in Spring and Autumn it is quite spectacular...
The Walled Garden area is very impressive, the walls are completely intact, and this makes for an amazing venue for the Marque wedding, complete and utter seclusion and privacy. Conolly himself has done some recent works in the walled garden by reinstating some paths, replanting plum trees and has developed the most incredible of visions for the gardens. Within the walled garden you can see features from its previous role as a productive garden, one which required 6 full time gardeners.
brackets inside former greenhouse location
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chimney on the outside wall of greenhouse
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View towards the Marquee and decking area, all set up for weddings which are held in the Walled Garden, the wall to the left is the former Hot-Wall, which would have been for growing Peaches and the likes, the location can be seen by the different colours of the brickwork when you're in the garden
Within a former Hot Bed Greenhouse Conolly has a bed full of wonderful Artichokes and a central bed full of wild Lupins, which in early summer must look pretty spectacular. Within the kitchen garden Conolly also maintains 2 sizable vegetable garden areas which provide the freshest of produce, and lots of edible flowers, to the main house.
Apart from the aforementioned Arboretum, Italian Terraced Garden, Walled Kitchen Garden Drenagh also boasts some wonderful buildings, such as this former Gardeners Cottage, draped in Wisteria is must be a sight to behold in the early summer.
wonderful wisteria within Stable Block area
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A fig in full crop, taking advantage of the Drenagh Sunshine
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I thoroughly enjoyed my few hours touring the gardens around Drenagh Estate, there is so many wonderful things to see and the grounds are just littered with picture postcard moments, I can fully appreciate why Drenagh has become so popular with couples looking for a truly memorable vacation or wedding venue.
Drenagh Estate can be easily contacted through their Official Website or on the Drenagh Estate Facebook Page. Drenagh Estate is private and only open upon appointment.
Drenagh Estate can be easily contacted through their Official Website or on the Drenagh Estate Facebook Page. Drenagh Estate is private and only open upon appointment.
