Retail Shop

From October 1st our Retail Shop is open 11am - 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Wearing of Face Masks is mandatory.

House Tours

Due to the escalation in Covid-16 restrictions to Level 3, from Wed 7th Oct all House Tours are cancelled until further notice (at least 3 weeks)

Cafe

Bakestone Cafe will open, for takeaway beverages & light snacks only, each Saturday & Sunday 11am - 5pm /  outdoor seating available

Toilets

Due to Covid-19 restrictions use of indoor toilets are currently not available outdoor toilets will be available

Please keep in touch with us on our social media platforms for most up to date opening arrangements

Arboretum & Gardens

We are delighted to welcome visitors to enjoy the magnificent grounds from 9.00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. Our grounds access plan is for safe, respectful visits to the House, Arboretum & Gardens with visitors asked to observe HSE guidelines at all times.

• Victorian Working Gardens  open Mon–Fri 10:30am - 3pm with a large range of plants grown by Fota Gardeners available for purchase. Keep an eye on our social media for the Victorian Working Gardens opening hours over the weekends
• Arboretum open daily 9:00am - 5:30pm
• Walled & Pleasure Gardens open daily
• We are pleased that our site partners, OPW, have made the use of the Pleasure Gardens exclusively for the the enjoyment of ‘Cocooners’ between: 10:00am-1:00pm (Mon–Fri), 11:00am-1:00pm (Sat). We ask other visitors to respect this initiative within these times.

Please note that the Formal Gardens & Arboretum are managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) so any suggestions or comments should be directed here

Due to the layout of this historic house certain restricted access remains in line with current Covid-19 guidelines - Thank you for your understanding.

Further information about the Failte Ireland Covid-19 Safety Charter is available at their website here. Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens is listed as a compliant organisation under the Irish Heritage Trust.

House tours are limited to 10 people per tour to facilitate social distancing based on the layout of this historic house

• All visitors on house tours must wear a face mask (use own or available for a €1 charge) Likewise all tour guides will wear face visors. Visitors will be briefed on covid-19 considerations prior to tour commencement
• Visitors are asked to refrain from touching exhibits or fixtures etc as much as possible
• House tour visitors will be asked for a name & contact number for purposes of contact tracing which is compliant with GDPR regulations
• Visitors will be asked to hand sanitise prior & post tour
• All touch points are cleaned and sanitised regularly during the day

General Site

• Visitors are asked to adhere to social distancing of 2m as advised by the HSE
• We welcome our community of visitors to safely and respectfully enjoy the House, Arboretum and Gardens
• On pathways around the Arboretum & Gardens and to / from the car park visitors are asked to adopt a ‘keep left / pass right’ walking pattern while observing relevant guidelines for social distancing and 'Cocooner'-reserved areas
• At any pinch points, such as crossing pathways, visitors are encouraged to beckon through others to avoid undue contact
• Visitors are asked to keep contact with others to a minimum and not congregate in any groups in thoroughfares or key points – please keep pathways free others as per guidelines
• Access to the property is only via the main gate
• Visitors are asked to be socially conscious and responsible for the maximum enjoyment of all.

More information available at HSE website