The Best Foodie Activities for Families this Summer.
This Summer there is so much to see, do and most importantly taste in the Boyne Valley! As many of us are enjoying staycations this summer or discovering what is on our doorstep with days out we have lots of delicious suggestions for awesome family days out.
The Boyne Valley is so easy to get to just a quick spin up the M3 from Dublin or down the M1 from Belfast and there is so much to experience and lots of family friendly accommodation options from hotels, glamping to 5* self catering (check them all out here).
So what are you waiting for- pack up the kids and hit the road for the Boyne Valley!
Causey Farm Ice Cream Adventure
A safe and fun day out for you and your family at Causey Farm. This year Causey Farm have extended their Summer event and it now features an amazing new theme for the Willow Trail which will be Irish Foclóir stories. Listen to the myths and legends of Irish heroes’ including The Children of Lir, Fionn and the Salmon, Cú Chulainn & Oisín and Tír na nÓg to name but a few
That is all along with the games, puzzles, trails, characters, giant bubbles and art installations you met last year, not to mention a scoop of delicious ice cream from the Ice Creamery. Causey Farm is a working farm which is home to cattle, sheep, ponies, pigs (and often piglets), hens, geese and a noisy gaggle of giggling geese.
Along the trail, everyone will get a complimentary scoop in the Ice Creamery Parlour in the old farmyard. After your experience you can choose to have a picnic or have some treats in the Cow’s Lick Ice Cream Parlour near the Car Park. They now have extensive areas for outdoor picnicking.
The Ice Cream adventure finishes on the 29th August so getting booking now!
PRE BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Bee Wise Nature Trail
The Bee Wise Nature Trail is located in the heart of the Boyne Valley, comprising of five acres of young woodland planted with a variety of bee loving trees. There is a large variety of flowering & fruiting hedgerows (including 1,000 Manuka TeaTree plants) planted to encourage a diversity of wildlife interspersed with areas of wild flowers to attract bees, butterflies and insects. A 1.5 km path meanders through the 5 acre site with information points and fun facts to peruse as you stroll through the natural environment. Take a few minutes out by sitting on one of the many benches to listen to the birds sing and watch the butterflies and bees all around you.
Bee Wise have built different types of habitats to show how simple they are to recreate in your own garden. A creeping thyme lawn in their picnic area demonstrates a low maintenance but high pollinator friendly area.
They also have a large, working Observation Hive on site to view the fascinating life of the Honey Bee which is always a favourite with adults and children alike- make sure you look for the queen!
Along the walk there are many hidden gems for the children to discover. This allows them to enjoy nature at their own pace in a safe environment. This year there is also a sensory play area for children to enjoy.
Beewise is open on Wednesdays in July and August 2022 and they hold various open days throughout the year. Book your ticket on the link below.
PRE BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Teltown House
Teltown House is located on the historical site of the original "Tailteann Games", to commemorate the death of Queen Tailtiu.
This Summer, enjoy their beautiful cafe- "Cafe Tailtiú" in their atmospheric courtyard. Teltown House is a family run business, serving essence barista coffee, delicious sweet and savoury treats including award winning ice-cream.
Teltown House offers a unique family experience to explore and enjoy by all. Teltown House hosts ancient ruins, burial grounds and a mystical tree, located in the heart of the Boyne Valley Region.
You can walk on the ancient Queen Maeve Road, and enjoy a complimentary walk around the grounds of this 17th Century Heritage home. Child and pet friendly; Teltown is a working farm, with resident Donkeys Freddie and Jimmy, horse Bob, and other animals.
If you go down to the woods, you will discover the fairy trail, home of the tooth fairy and dodie tree.
This is a perfect day out for younger kids with the fairy trail and animals. Currently open Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am-5pm with free parking and no entrance fee.
No booking needed.
Sea Louth
The sea louth Scenic Seafood Trail is a brand new initiative that captures what’s best about County Louth’s 70km+ coastline, the stunning scenery and of course the finest local seafood.
Explore the roads less travelled, meet local characters, breathe the salty sea air, see where our proud seafood producers land their catch, eat fresh local dishes by the coast, admire the spectacular views and create memories that will last a lifetime. It is a fantastic family activity with children given the opportunity to learn more about the Louth coastline and for non fish eating children they might even be encouraged to give it a go!
The sea louth passport will guide you to 14 Coastal Scenic Viewpoints along the trail. Each scenic viewpoint has a unique illustrated stamp for you to collect and add to your passport. These stamps may be collected from the shops and outlets along the trail which are listed in the passport- something that children will really enjoy.
Pick up a free sea louth passport from any of the county’s three tourist offices in Drogheda, Dundalk or Carlingford, and follow the trail to 14 scenic locations. Each scenic viewpoint has a unique, illustrated stamp for visitors to collect from specified shops and outlets along the trail. In order to complete the passport, visitors must also collect two restaurant stamps – choose from over 40 participating restaurants and enjoy a delicious fresh local seafood dish from their menu to receive a stamp.
Once completed, the passport can be taken back to a Louth tourist office, where it can be exchanged for an exclusive sea louth memento. There is no expiry date, visitors can collect stamps and exchange their completed passports at their leisure.
Find out more HERE
Rock Farm Slane Farmers Market, Farm Tours & Watersports
The Rock Farm Thursday Farmer's Market takes place every Thursday from 11-4pm and is a fantastic family day out.
Arrive and enjoy a coffee & ice-cream and take a tour around the scenic organic Rock Farm, meeting their free range pigs, dexter cattle and take in the views across the river to Slane Castle. After your tour pick up some delicious lunch in the barn and enjoy on the picnic benches. If you are a feeling adventurous you can book in to try some kayaking or rafting on the river Boyne or pop across the bridge for a stroll around the Slane Castle estate.
Rock Farm also offer lots of glamping and self catering options if you want to make a night of it.
Learn more about the market, watersports and accommodation at Rock Farm over HERE
Corderry Fruit Farm
Spend an afternoon on Corderry Farm this summer and pick your own fruit! Situated in Knockbridge, Dundalk, Co Louth. You will be supplied with your own punnett for collecting yummy strawberries, raspberries and more!
The Farm is open on Wednesday 2-5pm, Saturday 10-1pm and Sunday 2-5pm. Be sure to check their social media pages before you travel to make sure they haven't sold out or the if the fruit isn't ripe.
The Farm also has a shop and coffee trailer.
Find out more here.
Sonairte
Sonairte is a place like no other and has something for everyone. Stroll the Walled Organic Garden, explore the Nature Trail, have a picnic, visit their Shop and Information Centre, follow the Heritage Trail or call into the Bee Museum! This is the perfect family day out.
Sonairte is situated at The Ninch, Laytown, Co Meath and is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
The Cafe is open Saturday and Sunday only.
Find out more here