There are myriad reasons why a ‘staycation’ would seem like a sensible option, especially after the last year. For one, there’s (usually) no manic packing, preparing for any eventuality (‘but what if there’s rain when we get off the plane?’). Your suitcase is considerably lighter, and you’re pretty well-equipped for a few surprise summer showers. There’s no arriving at the airport 4 hours early to appease the panicker of the pack. Not to mention, you can holiday with a clear conscience, knowing that no air miles have been spent on your account.
Now, the next question is…to camp, or not to camp? If you err on the outdoorsy side, but crave a few of those crucial home comforts – you know, like a wood-burning stove – our Deer Park Huts are a superlative solution!
Officially launching on 10th June, our huts accommodate two and are kitted-out with a galley kitchen, bathroom, and a dining area that can be seamlessly converted into a comfy double bed when it’s time to turn in.
Now, you were never going to get a couple of ration packs and a bar of Kendal Mint Cake in a Richard Corrigan establishment. Guests can expect to start their day tucking into a heavenly breakfast hamper, filled with an assortment of Lodge treats, like house-smoked salmon and soda bread, while sipping freshly-brewed coffee, surrounded by a backdrop of endless trees.
True to their name, our huts are nestled within the expansive Deerpark Forest, providing plentiful opportunities for a spot of post-prandial strolling. And, if you consider yourself an adventurous type, there are plenty of options for a lengthier hike.
Aside from all the walking that the sprawling woodland has to offer, the Lodge grounds also encompass a 9-hole golf course, situated at the side of Lough Ramor – a tranquil place to tee off in peace.
Oh, and speaking of the Lough, we have all the equipment available for an afternoon spent messing about in boats. Stretching some 741 hectares, the Lough is a haven for anglers and bird-watchers alike. Below lake level, you might be lucky enough to encounter brown trout, or perhaps pike. Above, you’re likely to spot a few black-headed gulls, chiffchaffs and blackcaps, and maybe even a Great Cormorant. No matter what you see, it’s a wonderful spot to bob about with a flask of tea, or perhaps whiskey.
Now, it wouldn’t be a country house estate without a few opportunities to demonstrate your marksmanship. We have all the equipment necessary for a couple of rounds of clay pigeon shooting, and even archery if you feel like being a real show-off!
For fun further-afield, Derryham Stables are just a short drive away, offering group or private riding lessons, as well as guided hacks through the stunning Cavan countryside. But, if a pony is not your preferred mode of transport, then you can find Feel Good Bicycles in the town of Virginia, offering bikes to suit all sizes, as well as different types of terrain.
And, after an action-packed day discovering the best of County Cavan, you’ll have certainly worked up quite the appetite. How about a BBQ? We will have options for eating some of the finest locally sourced produce, including a few seasonal delights, plucked that morning from our very own Gooseberry Gardens.
Finally, with full bellies and heavy limbs, it’s time to retire back to your hut, hunker down, and dig into a good book with a glass of wine by the fire. This is glamping at its very finest.
