Just 20 minutes from Ardtara Country House, tucked away in the peaceful woodland trails of Garvagh Forest, stands one of Northern Ireland’s most curious landmarks — a 19th-century stone pyramid. It’s an unexpe
cted monument that tells a fascinating tale of legacy, empire, and Georgian eccentricity — and it’s just one of many hidden treasures waiting to be explored in Mid Ulster.
A Forest Trail with a Secret
Garvagh Forest, located near the market town of the same name, offers tranquil walking and cycling paths through coniferous woodland. But venture a little deeper, and you’ll discover something truly out of the ordinary — the Garvagh Pyramid.
Built around 1823 by George Canning, 1st Baron Garvagh and cousin of Prime Minister George Canning, the pyramid was intended as a family mausoleum. It reflects the Romantic era’s fascination with ancient Egypt, a trend that captured the imagination of the British elite. Although never actually used for burial, the moss-covered pyramid still stands as a bold symbol of social status and personal legacy.
With no signage or tourist infrastructure, it remains largely untouched — and all the more magical for it. Finding it feels like uncovering a well-kept secret.
Base Yourself at Ardtara: A Home with a Linen Legacy
Only a short drive from the forest, Ardtara Country House in Upperlands provides the ideal base for exploring Mid Ulster’s cultural heritage. This elegant Victorian mansion was once the home of the Clark family, pioneers of Ireland’s linen industry.
Today, Ardtara blends period charm with award-winning hospitality. As you dine on local, seasonal produce and stroll through the estate’s gardens, you’re walking in the footsteps of a family that helped shape Northern Ireland’s industrial legacy. The heritage lives on not just in the house itself, but in the surrounding village of Upperlands — the oldest linen village in Ireland still in production.
Explore Mid Ulster’s Historic Heartland
Ardtara’s location places you at the heart of some of Northern Ireland’s most important cultural and historical sites. In addition to the Garvagh Pyramid, guests can easily reach:
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Springhill House, Moneymore – A beautifully preserved 17th-century estate with tales of the Plantation and generations of the Lenox-Conyngham family.
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Wellbrook Beetling Mill – Step back in time at the last working water-powered beetling mill in the country, and see how linen was finished by hand.
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Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy – Celebrate the life and work of Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney in the landscape that inspired his poetry.
These attractions offer an unforgettable immersion into the stories, industries and people that defined this region.
Directions from Ardtara to Garvagh Forest
(Sat Nav: BT51 5EF)
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Depart Ardtara Country House, 8 Gorteade Road, Upperlands, Maghera, BT46 5SA
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Turn left onto Gorteade Road and continue for 1.6 miles
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Turn left onto Upperlands Road — 0.8 miles
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Turn left onto Kilrea Road — 0.1 miles
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Turn right onto Carhill Road (A29) and follow it towards Garvagh — 5.3 miles
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Turn left onto Limavady Road (B70) — 0.3 miles
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Turn left onto Forest Road — 0.1 miles
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Keep slight right onto the forest access lane — 0.5 miles
🚗 Garvagh Forest car park (BT51 5EF) will be on your left.
Approximate driving time: 20 minutes.
Plan Your Stay
Whether you’re passionate about history, nature, poetry, or simply seeking somewhere unique to escape and explore, Mid Ulster offers something truly special. And at its centre, Ardtara Country House offers warm hospitality, fine food, and a tangible connection to the linen and legacy that shaped the land.
Let your journey begin in the woods — and unfold in comfort.
Ready to explore Mid Ulster’s hidden heritage?
Book your stay at Ardtara Country House today.
