seaforde butterfly house gardens maze

These Gardens, dating from the 18th century, are situated in the lush woodlands of Seaforde Demesne. The walled gardens of some five acres are divided in two. The upper part which formerly was the kitchen garden, now contains an extensive tree and shrub nursery. Also in this part is the Seaforde Tropical Butterfly House containing hundreds of exotic free flying butterflies and other insects and reptiles. The lower half of the Walled Gardens was in the past a formal garden with extensive bedding out. This now contains an extensive collection of trees and shrubs, many of them rare. The climate is mild so many plants too tender for most gardens can be grown. The garden contains the National collection of Eucryphias. In the middle of this garden is a maze planted in hornbeam with a rose covered arbour in the centre. The maze can be viewed from a nearby tower as well as explored along its leafy passages. Beyond this garden is an area of pleasure grounds known as the Pheasantry containing large trees and some vast Rhododendron arboreums.