Woodstock Estate

Woodstock Estate is a country house sitting on the west bank of the River Nore, featuring a three-story stone building decorated with limestone and local marble. The main structure now stands in ruins, but the extensive gardens and arboretum with mature trees remain accessible to the public.

The estate was founded in 1745 by architect Francis Bindon for Sir William Fownes, with the project financed through his marriage alliance. Over the following centuries, the property changed hands and purposes multiple times, shaping what stands today.

This residence was the final home of Irish poet Mary Tighe and connects to the story of the Ladies of Llangollen. Visitors walking through the gardens can sense the literary heritage that shaped this place.

Keep in mind that only the gardens and arboretum are open for visitors, as the main house cannot be entered. Spring and summer offer the best conditions for walking the grounds, when paths are clear and plantings are in full growth.

The grounds feature two distinctive tree-lined avenues planted in the Victorian era, including a Monkey Puzzle Avenue and a Noble Fir Avenue. These rows of mature trees offer visitors a glimpse into how grand estate gardens were designed and maintained during the 1800s.