Mount Stewart is a National Trust attraction on the loughside coast of the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland. It boasts lavishly beautiful grounds from the lakeside walk that homes many varieties of water fowl to the more structured formal gardens that boast many species of flower not often seen in this part of the country. The historic house does not disappoint either but the real jewels in Mount Stewart’s crown are its gardens. Apart from the house and gardens, Mount Stewart has a gift shop, a well stocked second hand book library, a summer time ice cream stall in the gardens, a mini garden centre and an excellent cafe/restaurant.
Accessibility:
There are about 5 mother and baby parking spaces next to the entrance path. On busy days and during the summer these are hard to come by especially as they can often be taken by disabled badge holders. I’ve not had too many problems but I tend to go when it’s quieter. The lakeside walk is a gravel track nearly a mile long, gently undulating with no steep slopes. It’s easy to manoeuvre a pram along this trail. The other gardens are not so accessible...it is possible but not practical.
Value for Money:
Mount Stewart is not what I would consider cheap. If you have a baby in a pram and you want to go for a walk you can only really access the lakeside walk and, as beautiful as it is, I wouldn’t be keen to spend £6 every time I wanted to go for a stroll! The value is better if you get a family ticket and your children are old enough to take full advantage of the grounds.
Prices for Gift Aid admission at Sept 2011(standard admission in brackets):
House tour and gardens: adult £7.80 (£7.09), child £3.90 (£3.54), family £19.30 (£17.54)
Gardens only: adult £5.90 (£5.36), child £2.90 (£2.63), family £14.70 (£13.36)
Gardens only: adult £5.90 (£5.36), child £2.90 (£2.63), family £14.70 (£13.36)
Facilities:
Mount Stewart has a baby change facility in the reception area and a changing table in the outdoor disabled wc. The baby change facility consists of a changing table, a chair and a sink. It is kept immaculately. However it is TINY. A mother wishing to breastfeed in private would feel like she is nursing in a cupboard. In fact, it would not surprise me to discover that this is exactly what the changing facility was converted from! Still, I’m grateful for there being one at all.
The cafe is kiddie friendly. There are a selection of healthy lunch boxes for the children, several high chairs and a box of books and toys to amuse the little ones whilst you try and enjoy a lovely latte.
Hygiene:
The toilets are all kept very well. The cafe high chairs are generally clean although during busier times the staff can’t always keep up so it might be worth passing a wipe over the one you use. The box of books and toys are not entirely clean, having been well used by many children but again, a wipe down of any toy should suffice.
Safety:
The gardens are elaborate and contain everything from styled hedges to ancient sprawling trees. These trees are perfect for climbing on! So keep an eye out :o) But they also house a couple of extensive lawns that are perfect for safe play.
The centre of the grounds is graced by a beautiful lake. There are several points where folk are encouraged to feed the ducks but as a parent of an over enthusiastic toddler, just be aware that it is all too easy for a toddler to toddle-tumble into the water! Especially as there are little stone carved bridges across the narrower end of the lake which are all too inviting to young children and adults alike. There is nothing between the path and the water to prevent falls (and why would you want to spoil such a lake?) so just be wary.
There are dogs allowed in the gardens but they all have to be on a lead so few worries there. All hot drinks purchased from the outdoor stall have lids on.
Generally the grounds are perfectly safe. :o)
Staff Courtesy:
The staff at Mount Stewart are pleasant, friendly and helpful. Some will even take an active interest in your little one. If you’re there often enough they will recognise you and greet you with familiarity. They are generally very good with children of all ages.
Isobubble would give this place a 5 star rating!
