Go Kids

Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum:Even the words "monkey puzzle tree" are enough to encourage a smile, so Go Kids took ourselves off to Woodstock Gardens just outside Inistioge, in Co Kilkenny, where there is a stunning avenue of these trees.

Planted in the mid-1840s they are now giant specimens. They must have been considered wild and wonderful exotic imports when they arrived.

There are 31 pairs of araucaria araucanas(monkey puzzles) in the avenue, which is the largest most mature avenue of its type in Europe.

Also in the grounds of the long-derelict Big House is the Noble Fir Walk – you could run and walk around these grounds for hours.

Woodstock has more than six kilometres of paths. In the space of an afternoon we passed only about 10 other people. One of them, a toddler, was busy in the walled vegetable garden, trying to pick up one of the pumpkins which are just coming into season.

Pop into the beautifully restored dovecote, which was once home to almost 600 pigeons. The Victorians often tucked into the young chicks during the winter when fresh meat was scarce.

Woodstock has a most attractive coffee shop in a highly decorative, rebuilt domed conservatory.

Enter Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum through the main gateway. Access to the gardens is through the car park 500m from the main gates.

• woodstock.ie