Explore The Outdoors at The Argory

Outdoor Features

A true country house is defined by its essential outdoor features: the outbuildings and service areas that supported the estate, and the gardens designed for leisure. At The Argory, these elements remain beautifully preserved, offering visitors a glimpse into life as it was in the early 1900s. Explore these authentic spaces and be transported back in time, experiencing the estate just as it was over a century ago.

The Fold Yard 

A monumental archway, large enough to accommodate horse-drawn carriages and under which visitors pass today, opens onto nothing more elaborate than a yard that would have held cattle, known as a fold yard. That it is topped with a large Neo-classical urn signals Walter’s ambition and insistence on quality, even in the service areas. 

The Stable Yard 

After the Fold Yard comes the Stable Yard, the main feature of which is the barn built in 1820, at the same time as the main house. Though clearly built for practical purposes – it originally served as coach-house stables and servants’ quarters – it is built in the same style as the house and of the same materials.

The Tack Room 

The Tack Room was another functional space fitted out to a very high standard. Recently restored, this is a shining example of an early 20th-century harness room. On highly polished tongue-and-groove walls hang harnesses and saddles, and a bespoke glazed cabinet displays decorative brasses. The table in the centre of the room bears the maker’s label, ‘Musgrave & Co Ltd, London, Belfast, Manchester and Paris’, a company of some standing, suggesting this room was fitted out in the early 1900s and with an eye for quality.  

The Gardens at The Argory

The historic gardens at The Argory, County Armagh, are a living legacy of the estate's rich history, reflecting both the beauty and practicality of early 19th-century garden design. The gardens feature a blend of mature trees, carefully cultivated pleasure grounds with yew arbours, and two charming pavilions, one of which is a garden house. The estate's riverside lime walk offers a tranquil path along the water, while the sundial garden, dating back to 1833, invites visitors to reflect on the passage of time, as the inscription on the sundial reads,

"Here, reader, mark the silent steps of never standing time."

The walled garden, once a vital part of the estate, served as a productive space, providing fresh produce, herbs, and flowers for the household. The rose garden, with its fragrant blooms, was a space for quiet contemplation and relaxation. The pleasure grounds, with their yew arbours, were designed for leisurely strolls and offered a serene escape for the family and their guests. Today, these gardens continue to enchant visitors, offering a glimpse into the past and a peaceful retreat from the modern world. Whether you're exploring the sundial garden, wandering through the walled garden, or enjoying a stroll along the lime walk, The Argory's gardens invite you to experience the silent steps of never standing time.

 

 

Kingfishers at The Argory

The Argory is one of the best places to do some kingfisher spotting. Kingfishers can often be seen at the edge of streams and river banks. Head to the River Blackwater with your binoculars to catch a glimpse of them fishing. 

With their unmistakeable bright blue and orange plumage, kingfishers are possibly the most distinctive birds in Northern Ireland. They fly lazily over the water and swoop down to spear a fish with their sharp beaks.

Kingfishers are shy birds, so getting close views of them isn’t always easy. The best way to watch them is to find a spot where they go fishing and the River Blackwater is one of the best in the North.   

There's at least one pair usually nesting somewhere on the riverbanks. Search carefully and quietly and you may glimpse one perched on an overhanging branch, watching for fish.