Name: Palace Stables
Rating: 5.0

Palace Stables

The Palace Demesne, Armagh, County Armagh, BT60 4EL, Northern Ireland

1-90 Years

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Palace Stables is located within the historic Palace Demesne in Armagh, just a short walk from the City Centre. The Demesne spans around 300 acres of undulating parkland created by Archbishop Richard Robinson. For over two hundred years, it has been one of the glories of Armagh and a place of heritage and natural beauty.

Visitors can explore varied walking routes through back meadows and formal gardens, as well as enjoy the ‘Garden of the Senses’ designed to provide a sensory experience for both able-bodied and disabled visitors. The park also features a modern accessible Play Park, Green Gym, Palace Building, Chapel, Palace Gardens popular for wedding photography, and a gallery showcasing works by Armagh artist J.B. Vallely. The award-winning Education Department at the Palace Stables Heritage Centre offers activities and events including Our Senses, Tree Tales & Teddy Bear Trails, Boxes in the Attic, The Vikings, World War 2, Habitat & Woodland, and Orienteering.

Entry to Palace Stables is free.

Overall, Palace Stables offers a mix of heritage, education and outdoor recreation in a scenic parkland setting. With accessible gardens, family-friendly facilities and educational programmes for schools and community groups, it provides something for visitors of all ages. It is an ideal place to enjoy history, nature and peaceful walks in Armagh.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Situated within walking distance of the City Centre, for over two hundred years, the undulating parkland of the Palace Demesne has been one of the glories of Armagh. The Demesne, comprising some 300 acres, is the creation of Archbishop Richard Robinson. The Palace was the residence of the Archbishops of the Church of Ireland from 1770 to 1975.
The walks around the Demesne vary in distance and effort, taking you into the back meadows and around the more formal gardens. There is also a chance to relax in the ‘Garden of the Senses’, created to provide a sensory experience that will appeal to both able-bodied and disabled visitors. The garden is made up of five distinct areas linked by a winding path.
The park includes a modern accessible Play Park and Green Gym. The Palace Building and Chapel are also open to the public periodically and the Palace Gardens are extremely popular for wedding photography. Internationally renowned Armagh artist J.B. Vallely has a collection of works housed in the refurbished Archbishops Palace and visitors are invited to browse this exciting gallery.

What to see

The award-winning Education Department [Sandford Award for Heritage Education] provides a unique educational experience to schools and community groups visiting the Palace Stables Heritage Centre to learn about their shared past. The Department has a wide range of events and activities, detailed below, to suit all ages and meeting the needs of the curriculum: