Wicklow and its surroundings offers some amazing scenery with mountains falling into the sea under ever changing weather and light, only 30 minutes away from one of the most vibrant European capitals. Come and discover ancient monastic ruins, historical houses and gardens, breathtaking landscapes, traditional Irish villages and small harbours. Experience Irish history, its legends and traditions. Understand what has shaped its landscape, its culture, its people…

All the sites listed below are located within a radius of about 30 minutes from the Royal Hotel Wicklow, and are accessible by foot, train, bus or car.

Bray is the longest established seaside town in Ireland, and enjoys a 1 mile long beachfront promenade. The beach is dominated by Bray Head and its summit cross, with the Sugar Loaf and the Wicklow mountains in the background. The scenic Cliff Walk from Bray Head to Greystones offers walkers a feast of views on the way. Bray is a busy urban centre that retains some of the reminders of distant medieval past. Much of its out-standing Georgian and Victorian architecture still remain. Important Dates: St Patrick's Festival and Parade (17th of March) – Bray Jazz (May bank-holiday) – Bray Summerfest (July). The Bray Seafront is located 7 minutes walking from the Royal Hotel

Bray Heritage Centre & Tourist Office

The Old Courthouse was erected in 1841 and is now home to the tourist information office and heritage centre. There is a permanent exhibition called “from Strongbow to Steam” which covers the history of Bray from 1173 to the coming of the railway in 1853. Meet “John the Mad”, Viking warrior from the 14th century, ride the steam train along Bray Head and understand 19th century life in Bray. The centre across the street from the Royal Hotel - Tel: 01 286 6796

Located within Bray town limits, Killruddery House is the most successful Elizabethan-Revival mansion in Ireland and also one of the earliest. The gardens at Killruddery are the oldest in Ireland. They are amongst the most important gardens of their type in these islands. The Orangery houses an interesting collection of marble statues gathered in Italy in the 1830 - 1850 period, and hosts a series of cultural events year round. Killruddery is a 25 minutes walk from the Royal hotel. Buses or taxis are also available - Web:www.killruddery.com - Tel: 0404 46024

Powerscourt is Ireland’s most famous House & Gardens, set in the Wicklow mountains, 2 km from Bray centre. In the 13th century Powerscourt was a significant castle and garrison for the Anglo-Normans, a far cry from its 20th century reincarnation as a peaceful and elegant Palladian mansion. The gardens are divided in themed areas like the Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, Dolphin pond, and hosts a surprising pet cemetery. Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland's highest at 121m (398ft.). It is a favourite area for family picnics, with woodland walks, a playground and masses of space. Powerscourt is 10 minutes away from the Royal Hotel. There are also regular buses from Bray - Web: www.powerscourt.ie

Glendalough has earned its reputation as the most popular place for visitors in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. It's an area steeped in history and atmosphere, with wonderful mountain walks, woodland trails and lakeside rambles. Dotted around the valley's twin lakes are a profusion of archaeological sites of interest including a stone caher, a number of early Christian monastic churches, a round tower and a medieval cathedral, at the heart of the monastic city founded in the 6th century by St Kevin. Glendalough is only 30 minutes away driving from Bray. There is also a daily bus service.

Once called Kingstown or Dublin Riviera, Dun Laoghaire is a fascinating harbour town that extends it's two long arms into Dublin Bay, sheltering a large marina, and the ferry's daily arrival from Wales. Walk the piers and enjoy a stroll along the sea-front down to Sandycove, with its year round swimmers and Joyce's Museum / Martello tower. West of Dun Laoghaire harbour the Seapoint beach offers blue flag swimming during summer and a windsurfing/sailing base. Take the train (DART) from Bray direction Dublin and stop at Sandycove/Glasthule or Dun Laoghaire stations.

Easily accessible from Bray by a breathtaking short train (DART) journey along the cliffs overlooking the Irish Sea, Greystones is another beautiful town by the sea. Originally a fishing village, its recent growth has not spoilt the village atmosphere and the ambience of the fishing harbour. Greystones is also famous for its impressive homes and tree lined avenues. Located directly south of the town centre, its Blue Flag Beach is made of fine pebbles and is life guarded during the bathing season.

Home of the rich and famous of Ireland, Killiney Hill counts residents like Bono, Enya and Neil Jordan. 10 minutes away from Bray by DART, Killiney Beach and its Blue Flag is a great place to swim in summer. Killiney Hill is ideal for accessible nature walks and offers breathtaking views from its top, over the Dublin and Bray bays, Dalkey Island and the Wicklow mountains. The charming village of Dalkey offers some of the most elegant and finest of the Victorian and Regency architecture. Killiney and Dalkey are only a 10 minutes train (DART) ride from Bray. Stop at Killiney or Dalkey.

The Wicklow Mountains offer a wide variety of short drives through some of the most amazing Irish mountain landscape. At your own pace, drive through incredible sceneries such as green majestic green domes, black lakes, streaming bogs, rocky streams mountains falling into the sea, to black-water, bogs, centenary forests and rocky streams, under ever changing lights and weather. From Bray, drive up to Sally Gap, one of the two east to west passes across the Wicklow Mountains. From there keep on all the way to Glendalough or back through Lough Tey.

Located 20 minutes south of Bray, Wicklow town is a fine harbour town with beautifully sandy beaches to the south and the extensive shingle beach with its bird life and marvellous shore angling to the north. Wicklow Gaol will bring you back through the terrible living conditions inside one of the most infamous prisons of this country. Wander through cells and dungeons and watch a unique combination of actors, audio-visual material, interactive displays and reconstruction that bring crime, cruelty and misery to life. Wicklow Gaol is open from March to October, can be reach by train (several daily trains) or by car (25min) www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com