A whitewashed farmhouse from the 1600s, later dressed up in fine Georgian style — with a cobbled working farmyard full of animals, apple orchards and easy woodland walks all around it, deep in Armagh's orchard country near Portadown. A gentle, unhurried half-day, and a great one for younger children.
What you'll see — the house by tour, with its said-to-be fine Adam-style plasterwork drawing room the star of it, plus a cobbled farmyard with animals (a hit with the kids), apple orchards, and a picnic spot to sit out in.
Room to roam — orchard and woodland walks loop out from the house around the wider estate, with a play area for the children to burn off steam. Easy, gentle ground rather than a big hike.
The farmyard — a cobbled yard with rare-breed animals, an old water pump and trough, and farm bits and pieces — the sort of thing small children remember longest.
How long & who for — half a day for house, farmyard and a wander. All ages, especially good for younger ones, and dogs on a lead are welcome across the grounds.
The house is often guided and seasonal — the grounds and farmyard usually open more widely than the house itself. If seeing inside is your main reason for coming, check current opening times before you travel.
Members walk in free. Everyone else pays at the gate — this is a National Trust property, so check the current admission price before you set off. Under-5s and members go free.
On site — parking, toilets and picnic spots. Any café here can be limited, so it's worth checking ahead or bringing your own.
Plan your visit
Members free · everyone else pays at the gate
National Trust members walk in free — house, farmyard and grounds, no ticket. Everyone else pays at the gate, so check the current admission prices before you travel. The farmyard and grounds usually open more widely than the house; the house is often seen by a guided tour and is seasonal, so it may be closed on quieter days or out of season. There's parking on site, toilets and picnic spots, but any café here can be limited — worth checking ahead or bringing your own. Check current opening hours before you set off.
Parking on siteFarmyard animalsToiletsDogs on leads (grounds)
Good to know:
The house is often guided and open on a seasonal basis, while the farmyard and grounds usually open more widely. Café facilities may be limited, so bring a picnic if you'd rather be sure of food on the day. Check current times before travelling.
Before you set off
What to wear and bring
🥾Comfy shoesCobbles in the farmyard and grass and earth on the orchard walks — flat, comfy footwear beats a smart shoe.
🧥A coat, whatever the skyMuch of the day is outdoors around the yard and orchards, so bring a layer for the Armagh weather.
🧺A picnicCafé facilities can be limited here, so pack your own to enjoy at the picnic spots.
🐕The dog's leadDogs are welcome on a lead across the grounds — not inside the house or farmyard pens.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
National Trust members free. Non-members pay at the gate — this is a paid-entry property, so check the current admission prices before you travel. Under-5s and members go free.
Opening
The farmyard and grounds usually open more widely than the house. The house is often by guided tour and seasonal, so it may be closed on quieter days or out of season. Hours vary by season — check current times before travelling.
The house
A 17th-century farmhouse given an elegant Georgian makeover, seen by tour. Its centrepiece is the drawing room, with plasterwork said to be in the fine Adam style.
The farmyard
A cobbled working farmyard with animals, an old water pump and trough, and farm implements — a favourite with younger children.
The grounds
Apple orchards, woodland and orchard walks around the estate, a play area, and picnic spots. Gentle, easy ground rather than a hard hike.
Food
Café facilities may be limited here, so it's worth checking ahead or bringing a picnic.
Toilets
Toilets on site — check for baby-changing on the day.
Dogs
Welcome on a lead across the grounds. Not inside the house or the farmyard pens; assistance dogs only indoors.
Parking
Car park on site. Members park free; check current charges for non-members on the day.
How long
Half a day for the house, farmyard and a wander through the orchards.
Questions
Before you go
Is it free for National Trust members?
Yes — members get the house, farmyard and grounds for free. Non-members pay at the gate, so check the current admission price before you travel. Under-5s go free too.
Is it good for young children?
Very much so — the cobbled farmyard with its animals is a hit with little ones, and there's a play area and easy orchard walks to run off steam. It's a gentle half-day rather than a long, tiring one.
Can I see the plasterwork drawing room?
The house is seen by tour and its drawing room, with plasterwork said to be in the fine Adam style, is the highlight. The house is often guided and seasonal, so check it's open before you set off.
Can I just do the farmyard and orchards without the house?
Usually yes — the farmyard and grounds tend to open more widely than the house. If the inside is your main reason for coming, check the house is open first.
Can I bring the dog?
Yes — dogs are welcome on a lead across the grounds. They're not allowed inside the house or the farmyard pens, where only assistance dogs go.
Is there food on site?
Café facilities here may be limited, so it's worth checking ahead or bringing a picnic to enjoy at the picnic spots.
Getting there
64 Ardress Road, Annaghmore, Portadown, County Armagh, BT62 1SQ — out in the orchard country between Portadown and Loughgall, with a car park on site.
Ardress began life in the 17th century as a plain farmhouse out in the Armagh orchard country. In the 1700s it passed into the hands of the architect George Ensor, who gave the old house an elegant Georgian makeover — widening its front, adding wings, and turning a working farm into something with fine manners. The best of that work is inside: the drawing room, with plasterwork said to be in the refined Adam style that was in fashion at the time.
For all its polish, Ardress never stopped being a farm at heart. The cobbled farmyard, with its animals, water pump and old implements, keeps that side of the story alive, while the surrounding apple orchards tie the house to the county around it — Armagh has long been known as the orchard country of Ireland. The estate came to the National Trust in the 20th century, and today it's the gentle mix of a fine house, a farmyard the children love and easy orchard walks that makes it worth the trip.