Discover Ireland ambassador Roz Purcell shares her top tips for enjoying a perfect 'daycation' in Co. Wicklow.
I've been living on the outskirts of Dublin City for the past 15 years and spend most of my time off galivanting around County Wicklow.
The garden of Ireland, as Wicklow is known, is the ideal location for a 'daycation'. Less than an hour from Dublin, there is so much to do and see, allowing you to pack the feeling of a holiday into just one day. Choosing my favourite daycation itinerary is a real challenge, but I will do my best.
Plan in advance
I pack a lot into my daycations, as I like to make the most of my time off. The secret to getting the most out of your day is to plan in advance. I use Google Maps to pin locations, food places and activities before I go. I then plan my route and timings based on my selections. This allows me to enjoy each experience and not feel like I am rushing around with no idea of what comes next.
Wicklow is a nature lovers dream, but it is important to remember when you are exploring the outdoors, that it’s a shared space. Respect other tourists, hikers, staff and importantly locals and landowners. And, of course, anything you bring with you, bring home with you too. Everyone is just trying to have a good day out.
The road trip
While some places in Wicklow are served by public transport, this article is based on a daycation by car, and all the travel times assume you are driving.
I start the day in Wicklow Town at the Firehouse Bakery. It’s the perfect spot to start your day, with plenty of parking nearby. I recommend that you fill up on their great breakfast, coffee, and a selection of pastries. It is also beside a sports store, just in case you forget any piece of your adventuring kit!
My favourite dishes are the mushroom toast, falafel plate, and any of their sweet treats (I usually take one for the road). I recommend you allow one hour for your stop.
From there we are heading five minutes away to Glen Beach Cliff Walk. The car park is the starting point and this hike is a great alternative to the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk which is now closed. The trail is a marked, easy, 4km lollipop circuit.
While the route is easy, the cliffs are exposed with some uneven terrain, so you have to be aware and alert on the trail. Along this hike you will pass a protected beach, which is home to a seal colony. It is amazing to view the seals (from afar, so as not to disturb them).
While this hike is dog friendly, it’s imperative to keep them on a leash. If you want to turn your daycation into a staycation, there is a tower at Wicklow Head you can rent for the night! Allow two hours to complete this hike and take in the views.
Next, and only five minutes away, we are off to The Good Life Cafe and Shop for a great coffee. Allow 30 minutes for your stop here, or, if you have more time to spend in this area, I highly recommend visiting Black Castle for the views and Travelahawk Beach if it’s a nice sunny day.
Back to our itinerary! Now it’s time to leave Wicklow Town and head to one of the best experiences in the county. We are going to K2Alpacas, which is only 20 minutes away. You can book in lots of different experiences here from Alpaca walks, kids experiences, therapeutic experiences and more.
I loved the meet and greet with my friends which was 30 minutes of petting, feeding and observing the Alpacas. I would give this experience a 10/10, it brought so much joy to my day, and was an instant de-stressor. Allow one hour here.
Now that you are nice and relaxed it’s time for lunch. We are heading to Joly’s Café and Garden Centre for some cake, toasties, coffee and of course to have a look around the store. It is only 22 minutes away. This place is so eclectic and has a great atmosphere. I especially love the avocado toast, soup and carrot cake. Allow one hour for lunch and a look around.
After you have digested your lunch, get prepared for a little shot of adrenaline! Twelve minutes away, we are going to Beyond the Trees, in Avondale. Here at Avondale, there is so much to do, including the above the tree's walkway, Avondale House tour, forest trails and a Café.
I love bringing people to Avondale to show off the great tree project and walkway. The walkway is a paid for experience and one of the newest offerings here. It is well worth doing, as it’s a stunning stretch of boardwalk finished off by a wooden structure at the end to raise you up even higher to overlook the surrounding area.
There is also lots of information along the way to read and learn about the wildlife, trees, plants and history of Avondale. But the best part? I am not going to lie, it is definitely going down the slide. It’s exhilarating and wakes you up if you’re having a midday slump! Allow 2-2.5 hours here.
Finally, after a long day exploring it is time for a big feed at The Coach House in Roundwood. This is a new gastro pub in Wicklow offering delicious food, at good prices. The Coach House is also attached to one of my favourite cafés (Roundwood Stores, a great breakfast and lunch spot to save for another time).
The Coach House has a great menu offering a nice mix for everyone and the space is somewhere you could sit and relax for hours. The Coach House also has accommodation if you wanted to stay over. Allow two hours here.
I never get bored of exploring Wicklow and revisiting some of my favourite spot's time and time again. Next on my list in Wicklow is a Sauna, Dip & Hike in the Glenmalure Valley.
There is a great Bosca Beatha sauna experience opposite Glenmalure pub which would make a great addition to a day out for a group of friends, or one to book for the coming colder months.
To plan your 'Best Daycation Ever', simply visit https://www.discoverireland.ie/explore/daycations for more information.
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