What child doesn't love camping! Adventures in the great outdoors, lots of space to run around and explore, campfires and toasting marshmallows and sleeping underneath the stars. With glamping you get all of the above plus a few extra creature comforts for the grown-ups.
Yurts are otherworldly enough for kids to get excited about and at the same time roomy and comfortable enough for parents to get a quality night sleep in. You just need to pack your bags, some good books and boardgames, do a pit stop via a supermarket (our nearest ones are in Bundoran or Donegal Town) for food and drink supplies and everything else you will need is here ready and waiting for you.
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For those who like the water remember your swimsuits - the lake here has a very shallow shoreline so great for paddling and lovely for swimming. Remember to ensure kids do not venture down without an adult.
If you don't fancy a campfire BBQ every night, this summer there is the addition of a pizza oven which will cook a pizza in a very family-friendly 90 seconds! You can make use the fully equipped kitchen in the Lodge. Here you have your own designated cupboard space and fridge space for all your food supplies and all the plates, cutlery, cups, etc. you need. There are also plenty of places locally to eat out or get takeaways.
On rainy days the Lodge offers a large comfortable refuge with a big fireplace, boardgames and reading corners. We do just ask children and parents to remember that the Lodge is a shared space and to keep the fun and games to a low decibel so that others can enjoy it too.
Kids here go free-range, there are no structured or organised activities. They are encouraged to run around and explore, use their imagination and create their own fun - and there is no shortage of inspiration in the natural playground at Lough Mardal. Pack wellies whatever the weather. And a warning for parents: there will be twigs in hair and mud on clothes. There will be late nights and when they do finally go to bed they will sleep like kings.
​​Nature's Playground at Lough Mardal
Outdoor adventure within Lough Mardal Lodge's 90 acres is the best place to start. With a very shallow shoreline the lake at Lough Mardal is perfect for paddling, wild swimming or examining lakeshore rocks and pebbles! There are many trails for long and short legs through soft squishy moss peatlands (particularly lovely in bare feet) and for wild encounters with frogs and insects. Stumble upon a willow grove and do some tree-climbing, run through fluffy white bog-cotton or take a ramble up the hill (best done with an adult) to meet the cows.
Beaches
Once Lough Mardal explorations have been exhausted next stop is the beach! There are two beautiful blue-flag beaches within 10 minutes drive, ideal for bucket and spade fun, shell-collecting and a splash about in the sea - Rossnowlagh, Murvagh which received the International Blue Flag award for 2018. Tullan Strand 20 minutes away in Bundoran is another huge beach but can tend to get a bit crowded in the Summer. South of Tullan the cliffs have formed bizarre shapes, like the Fairies Bridge (a bridge of rock) or the Wishing Chair.
Forest Walk
Castle Caldwell - 13km, just across the border in Co. Fermanagh. A beautiful forest walk and hidden gem on a peninsula jutting out into picturesque Lough Erne. Plenty of meandering trails to follow of varying lengths suitable for walking, pushchairs or bikes. Leafy nooks and crannies to explore in all directions. You'll have to tear the kids away.
Things to Do
Castle Adventure Petting Farm - Ballyshannon, 14km
and plenty more to see plus an indoor activity centre and sandpit, or take a trip on the barrel train, drive a real digger and discover the huge outdoor adventure playground.
Salthill Cabin, Mountcharles Pier, 27km
A quirky pier-side cafe and petting zoo the kids will love. Giant fluffy rabbits, goats, peacocks, owls and more in a lovely setup behind the cafe. Delicious treats, freshly made crepes and ice-cream, sea air in the lungs. Plenty of shoreline spots for a picnic and splashabout in the sea while there.
Horse riding lessons and beach/sand dune trail rides are available and can be booked with us, see our Optional Extras. Open all year round. (From age 7 upwards.)
Surf Lessons at one of Ireland's premier Surf Schools in Rossnowlagh on Donegal Bay, just 12km away (from age 8 upwards). Can be booked with us, see our Optional Extras.
Waterworld - Bundoran,18km
Indoor aqua adventure playground for toddlers and kids of all ages.
Bundoran Adventure Park - Bundoran, 18km
A huge selection of rides and attractions plus Adventure Golf, Bumper Cars, Go Karts and much more.
Bundoran Glowbowl - Bundoran, 18km
Ten pin bowling alley for all the family
Tropical World - Letterkenny, 67km
A little further afield but a great option on a rainy day. It's not quite a zoo but it's getting close. Tropical butterflies and birds of all shapes and sizes. Lemurs and miniature monkeys, racoons, meerkats and more. There is also the massively popular Jurassic Land, which gives a glimpse into our Jurassic past and Bug World, an amazing collection bugs, spiders, beetles and insects live.
Tropical World is 80% under cover and facilities include an indoor play area, full disabled access and on-site café
