I browsed the internet on Wednesday and was seeking out a walking trail in Wexford. Then I searched Facebook itself and came across Talbot Lake a nature walk located in Blackwater, a couple of kilometres inland from the village itself. It had closed during the earlier phases of the pandemic but is now open and features a small petting farm, a children’s play area and a wonderful tree lined nature walk around a large lake.
On Thursday I drove to Blackwater, County Wexford and visited Talbot Lake. It’s a Georgian estate of about 17 acres, family run and owned. It is also a working farm but the area open to the public is easily accessed and has free parking in an open field off the driveway. The nature walk and petting farm is run by John and his sister Lucy. The petting farm element was receiving a new addition as we arrived. An alpaca was settling into his large pen and Jonathan, Lucy and a visiting brother were raising the fence height as the alpaco had proved capable of clearing the existing structure with ease!
Leaving the team to finish the fencing I walked passed a large riding arena and out in the fields beyond sleek horses chewed on grass.
We walked on down the drive and forked right on the stony path to discover the very regal looking white Georgian house with a large statue out front. The house is not open to visitors at this time.
To the left of the house, a door lay half-open and as it was not marked “Private” I poked my nose around the door and found a lovely walled garden with a small pond, again featuring a period statue.
Walking on past the house is an entrance to a field which starts you off on a circular two-kilometre nature walk down tree-lined avenues past a beautiful lake which sits plum in the middle. There is a children’s play area a quarter of the way around (not supervised except by parents) with climbing frames.
The pathway is a mixture of well worn soil but at one point there is a stony stretch of about fifteen feet so you’ll bounce along in a buggy for that short section. To avoid the stones go to the play area by not following the signs and entering the exit if you follow my meaning.
Beyond the play area, there is a lovely open area with benches and bins and a beautiful view of the lake.
It is a short walk but take the leisurely stroll and perhaps bring your watercolour paints and spend a while sketching the view or take along a picnic with you.
At the gate, at the start of the walk, a sign asks that you donate €5 per car and there are umbrellas should the weather turn suddenly.
There is also a coffee and nibbles mobile shop there too so you can buy a drink and food if you need to. It wasn’t open on the day we visited but presumably, it would be at weekends.
This a miniature Wells House experience in the making. Its early days but even now it’s a lovely addition to locals and visitors to Wexford county.
It is now open to visitors
Find more information at https://www.facebook.com/TalbotLakeandNatureWalk/
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