A private Georgian estate on the banks of the River Foyle, just outside Derry, with an arboretum thought to be one of the finest in the north-west of Ireland — said to hold over 1,200 trees and plants, rare conifers and champion specimens among them.
What you'll see — the arboretum first: avenues of rare and champion trees, standout conifers, rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, said to run to more than 500 species. Then the Georgian house looking out over the demesne, and riverside gardens dropping down to the Foyle.
How you visit — on a guided tour, by arrangement. A private nature tour of the arboretum is said to cover around 1.5km over roughly two hours; the estate also runs occasional open days and heritage, nature and sustainability tours.
How long — allow around two hours for a guided tour, longer on an open day when you can take your time in the grounds.
Cost — enquire when you book; it varies by tour and by group. Prices aren't fixed at a gate, so check the current rate direct.
What to bring — sturdy shoes and a coat. It's grass and gravel underfoot, outdoors, and you're beside the river.
Food & parking — there's parking at the estate. Bring your own drink or snack; check ahead for what's on for refreshments on the day.
Not a casual walk-in. The arboretum is seen on guided tours and open days, by arrangement — you book ahead. Turning up unannounced won't get you in.
It's a family home. Brook Hall is a private, lived-in estate — the house isn't a public museum, so please respect that it's someone's home.
Plan your visit
Can I visit? Yes — but book ahead.
Brook Hall opens its arboretum and grounds on guided tours by arrangement, plus occasional open days and events. It isn't a turn-up-and-wander park — the gates are to a private estate, so arrange your visit first. Enquire for the price and to lock in a slot, then clear a couple of hours for the trees.
Parking on siteGuided toursOutdoor arboretumRiverside gardens
Worth knowing right now:
Tour dates, open days and prices change through the year — always check the estate's own listing and book before you set off. This isn't a walk-in.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
👟Comfy shoes or welliesGrass and gravel across the grounds — soft underfoot after rain, and there's a slope down to the river.
🧥A coat or a layerYou're beside the Foyle, and the tour is outdoors. A breeze and a shower are never far off.
📷A cameraThe rare conifers, the blossom in spring and the river views are worth a photo or two.
🌳Your questionsThe guide knows the collection tree by tree — a good tour rewards a curious visitor.
What's on
Tours & open days
Brook Hall runs its visits by arrangement, so there's no fixed weekly timetable. Expect a rotation of these across the season — check the estate's own listing for live dates before you book.
🌳Guided arboretum & nature tourBy arrangement
🏛️Heritage tour of the estateBy arrangement
🌱Sustainability tour of the farm & groundsBy arrangement
Good to know
Everything before you go
How to visit
By arrangement only — guided tours plus occasional open days and events. Not a casual walk-in park. Book ahead through the estate's own listing.
What you'll see
An arboretum said to hold over 1,200 trees and plants across more than 500 species — strong on conifers, rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias — plus the Georgian house's setting and riverside gardens on the Foyle.
The tour
The private nature tour is said to run around 1.5km over roughly two hours, outdoors. Heritage and sustainability tours are also offered. Confirm what's running when you book.
Cost
Varies by tour and group — enquire when you book. There's no fixed gate price. Confirm the current rate direct with the estate.
The house
Brook Hall is a private family home, said to have been in the Gilliland family since 1856. It isn't a public museum — the draw is the arboretum and grounds.
Parking
Parking is available at the estate. Confirm arrangements when you book your tour.
Getting around
Outdoors on grass and gravel, with a slope down toward the river. Sturdy footwear helps; mention any access needs when booking.
How long
Around two hours for a guided tour. Open days can fill an afternoon if you take the grounds slowly.
Questions
Before you go
Can I just turn up and walk around?
No — this is a private estate. You visit on a guided tour by arrangement, or on one of its occasional open days. Book ahead through the estate's own listing rather than turning up at the gate.
What's the big draw?
The arboretum. It's thought to be one of the finest tree collections in the north-west of Ireland, said to run to over 1,200 trees and 500-plus species — rare conifers, rhododendrons, magnolias and champion specimens. The riverside setting on the Foyle is the bonus.
How much does it cost?
It varies by tour and group size, so there's no single fixed price — enquire when you book. Always confirm the current rate direct with the estate.
Can I go inside the house?
Brook Hall is a private family home, not a public museum, so the house isn't open to wander the way a National Trust property would be. The tours are about the arboretum, the grounds and the estate's story.
Is it good for children?
It's outdoors with plenty of space and big trees, which older, curious kids can enjoy — but it's a guided nature tour of a private estate rather than a playground. Best for tree and garden lovers; check with the estate if you're bringing little ones.
How long should I allow?
Around two hours for a guided arboretum tour. An open day can stretch to an afternoon if you want to linger in the grounds.
Getting there
Culmore Road, on the banks of the River Foyle just outside Derry / Londonderry — a short drive from the city, on the eastern shore of the river. Book your tour before you set off.
Brook Hall sits on the banks of the River Foyle on the edge of Derry / Londonderry, a private demesne that has looked out over the water for centuries. The present Georgian house is thought to date to around 1790.
The estate is said to have witnessed a good deal of the city's history from its riverside vantage point — from the Siege of Derry through to the two World Wars — while staying, throughout, a private family home rather than a public seat.
In 1856 the estate is said to have become the home of the Gilliland family, who have kept and shaped the landscape across six generations to the present day. It's the family's continuity, more than any single event, that gives the place its character.
Their work over the years turned the grounds into what is now thought to be one of the finest arboretums in the north-west of Ireland — said to hold more than 1,200 trees and plants and over 500 species, with rare conifers, rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias among them. In recent years the estate has also become known for its work on sustainable farming. Today it opens the collection to visitors on guided tours and open days, by arrangement — a private garden, shared a little at a time.