Twice voted the most romantic hotel of the year, Ardtara Country House offers sumptuous bedrooms with antique furniture and working fireplaces. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the restaurant serves traditional Irish cuisine. The individual rooms are classically decorated with rich colors and luxury fabrics. Most rooms have wonderful garden views and an elegant chaise longue. All rooms have a flat-screen TV and a spacious private bathroom with cozy bathrobes. The Ardtara Country House Hotel features an on-site restaurant, which serves a traditional menu in the impressive dining room. The bar overlooks the tennis court, and offers a selection of Irish whiskeys and fine wines. The grand building features high ceilings and original wall hangings, and sits between Giant’s Causeway and historic Derry. Kilrea Golf Club is just 15 minutes’ drive away, and Tobermore Golf Driving Range can be reached in 10 minutes.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.8 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.0)

Breakfast Info

Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Gluten-free


Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Room Type
Number of guests
 
1 queen bed
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Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
10
Facilities
9.2
Cleanliness
9.8
Comfort
9.8
Value for money
8.8
Location
9.0
High score for Upperlands
Select topics to read reviews:

See what guests loved the most:

  • Paul
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    Best food in N Ireland. Lovely location. Attentive staff. Lovely hotel. One of our favourite places.
  • Caroline
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    Beautiful old country house , gorgeous bedroom with gas fire
  • Richard
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    Very friendly greeting. Wonderful spacious room. Excellent evening meal and a lovely breakfast. Cosy bar for a pre-bed drink. We also got to walk the grounds. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Managed by Ardtara Country House

Company review score: 10Based on 12 reviews from 1 property
1 managed property

Property info

If an award-winning gourmet break is on the top of your list, look no further than the elegant Ardtara Country House just outside the village of Upperlands, near Maghera. 2023 winner of #3 small hotel in the UK & #18 in Europe from Trip Advisor. Luxurious from inception, the Victorian property was built by one of Northern Ireland’s wealthy linen barons and is in a picturesque setting amid woodlands and lakes. Ardtara is a historic country house offering genuine warmth and hospitality, luxurious accommodation and award winning dining, all within 45 minutes of Northern Ireland’s airports, ferry terminals and the spectacular sights of the Sperrin mountains, Lough Neagh and the Causeway Coastal Route. Restaurant - At Ardtara our chefs are passionate about using the finest seasonal food and believe in supporting local producers and suppliers wherever possible. Our head chef changes the dinner menu frequently, showcasing the best that is on offer, including fruit, vegetables and herbs grown in our own gardens. Our residents also get to enjoy a wide choice from our breakfast menu, all freshly cooked to order and served with Thompson Family teas and Upperlands coffee. The afternoon tea at Ardtara is a joy in itself, offering a contemporary twist on a country house classic, while our Sunday lunch offers a la carte dining and always the option of a traditional roast. We offer a casual bar food menu as well as fine dining in our restaurant.

Neighborhood info

Ardtara Country House is a peaceful Victorian mansion nestled in 10 acres of beautiful woodland and gardens. Our house is filled with historic charm and character, with focus on the historic linen mills of which the family used to run. Key local attractions are less than an hour away, including The Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Whisky Distillery. There are boat trips and a selection of beautiful walking trails, golf and boutique shopping all within a short distance of Ardtara. Game of Thrones locations are also very accessible and we even provide a map for keen enthusiasts to follow. The Seamus Heaney HomePlace visitor centre is only 15 mins away and is a wonderful tribute to the legendary Nobel Laureate.

Language Spoken

English

Area info

Restaurants
1 Restaurant On Site

  • Restaurant #1
    • Cuisine
      Local
    • Open for
      Lunch • Dinner
    • Ambience
      Family-friendly
    • Dietary options
      Vegetarian • Gluten-free • Dairy-free

Amenities of Ardtara Country House
Great facilities! Review score, 9.2

Most popular amenities
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Facilities for disabled guests
  • Restaurant
  • Free WiFi
  • Room service
  • Bar
  • Breakfast
Bathroom
  • Toilet paper
  • Private Bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Bathrobe
  • Hairdryer
  • Bathtub
  • Shower
Bedroom
  • Alarm clock
Outdoors
  • Picnic area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Garden
Kitchen
  • Electric kettle
Activities
  • Themed dinners
    Additional charge
Living Area
  • Fireplace
  • Sitting area
Media & Technology
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Radio
  • Telephone
  • TV
Food & Drink
  • Wine/Champagne
  • Kids' meals
  • Special diet meals (on request)
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Tea/Coffee maker
Internet
WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking
No parking available.
Front Desk Services
  • Invoice provided
  • Baggage storage
Cleaning Services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ironing service
    Additional charge
  • Dry cleaning
    Additional charge
  • Laundry
    Additional charge
Business Facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying
  • Meeting/Banquet facilities
Safety & security
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Smoke alarms
  • Security alarm
General
  • Smoke-free property
  • Wake-up service
  • Heating
  • Packed lunches
  • Carpeted
  • Ironing facilities
  • Facilities for disabled guests
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Room service
Accessibility
  • Toilet with grab rails
  • Wheelchair accessible
Languages Spoken
  • English

Property practice

This property told us they've implemented a practice in one of these categories: waste, water, energy and greenhouse gases, destination and community, or nature.

House rules

Ardtara Country House takes special requests – add in the next step!

Check-in

From 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Check-out

From 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM

 

Cancellation/
prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

< 1 year old
Extra bed upon request
£20 per child, per night
1 - 2 years
Extra bed upon request
£20 per child, per night
Crib upon request
Free
3 - 12 years
Extra bed upon request
£20 per child, per night

Prices for cribs and extra beds aren't included in the total price. They'll have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds and cribs allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.

All cribs and extra beds are subject to availability.

No age restriction

There's no age requirement for check-in

Maestro Mastercard Visa American Express Cash is not accepted Ardtara Country House accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.


Smoking

Smoking is not allowed.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

FAQs about Ardtara Country House

  • The prices at Ardtara Country House may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

  • Ardtara Country House is 1.3 miles from the center of Upperlands. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

  • Check-in at Ardtara Country House is from 3:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:30 AM.

  • Ardtara Country House has 1 restaurant:

    • Restaurant #1

  • Ardtara Country House offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):

    • Themed dinners