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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. These are magical family memories that will be remembered forever. With glamping you get all the benefits of camping but none of the stresses. 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.
Glamping is far less complicated than camping. Simply pack your bags..don't forget some good books and buckets and spades....and off you go. With a pit stop via the supermarket for food and drink supplies there is nothing else to worry about, everything else you will need is here ready and waiting for you. On arrival just collect your key, unpack and make yourself at home in your yurt.
If you don't fancy a campfire BBQ every night then you can make use of the fully equipped kitchen in the Lodge. In here you'll have your own designated cupboard space, fridge space 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 out of respect for others.
Kids here go free-range, there are no structured or organised activities. They are encouraged to run wild, 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 soil on clothes. And when they do finally go to bed they will sleep like kings.
Nature's Playground
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.
Activities
Castle Adventure Petting Farm - Ballyshannon, 14km
Plenty of animals 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.
Donegal Equestrian Centre - 20 minutes away and offers some of the best beach riding Donegal has to offer. Horse riding lessons, beach/trail rides available. Open all year round. (From age 7 upwards.)
Finn McCool Surf School is Ireland's premier Surf School in Rossnowlagh on Donegal Bay, just 12km away (from age 8 upwards)
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
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