Get outdoors and active - From swimming in peaceful lakes to sailing down the Shannon in a hot tub, Westmeath delivers with under-the-radar experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

1. Soak up the beauty of a 19th-century walled garden
There’s no shortage of drama in the magnificent 160-acre estate at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, perched on the edge of scenic Lough Ennell. Tales of cruelty, jealousy and betrayal echo through the lavish Georgian house and linger in the surrounding woodland here. Why? It’s all down to notorious landowner Robert Rochfort, who imprisoned his wife for over 30 years after accusing her of an affair with his brother. But step into the walled garden at Belvedere and the estate’s turbulent tales feel a million miles away. 

The garden we see today was created in 1850 by Charles Brinsley Marlay, a far gentler soul with a love for the arts and culture in Ireland. Stroll through the evocative gateway, and you’ll enter a world of quiet pathways bordered by a profusion of plants, cascading water, and a sense of time gently slowing down. 

“Visitors enjoy sitting in the various garden seats and taking in the wonders of the garden,” says Lisa Purcell, gardener at Belvedere House. “The pond is one of my favourite areas of the garden – the sound of water is hard to resist.” Whenever you choose to visit, you’ll find something to enjoy. As Purcell notes, “The Japanese maples will have stunning colours in autumn. In early spring, the mature magnolias are beautiful, and in mid-summer when all the perennials are in bloom, it’s spectacular.”

Make a day of it: Just a short hop from Belvedere House, you’ll find the Lilliput Adventure Centre, where you can enjoy Lough Ennell from the water on a kayaking adventure. 


2. Journey along the majestic River Shannon
The gentle slap of the water against the boat, the soft swish of rushes and reeds, birds fluttering from the lush green shores of the Callows. Boating on the River Shannon isn’t just relaxing – it’s a full-on treat for the senses.  

You could spend weeks boating on Ireland’s longest river – gliding through the navy-coloured waters, waving at passersby, soaking up the tranquil beauty and untamed nature. But even if you’ve only got an afternoon, you can still get a taste of life on the water with a boat trip from Athlone. 

Fancy a bespoke tour? Hop aboard Hidden Heartlands Tours with affable captain Pearse Connell who’ll steer you on a cruise filled with stories, scenery and sights. Kids will get a kick out of the Viking Tours trips, which invite you to sail back 1,200 years down the Shannon. Or amp up the fun with The Hot Tub Boat, which boasts its very own hot tub. With a glass of bubbly in your hand, you’ll drift into a Westmeath sunset feeling like you’ve somehow landed in your own Instagram reel! Whichever way you go, it’s sure to be memorable. 

And for afters: All that fresh air is sure to work up an appetite, and Athlone’s excellent food scene is on hand to deliver. Grab a table at Thyme Restaurant for creative fine dining, enjoy relaxed contemporary dishes at The Left Bank Bistro, or spice things up with Middle Eastern favourites at Al Mezza.



3. Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lough Lene
If you’re wondering what makes the waters of Lough Lene so clear, the answer is simple: it’s a hardwater marl lake. Rarely found in Europe, these types of lakes are rich in calcium and often boast super-clear waters. Lough Lene is a Special Area of Conservation, but it also happens to be one of the best places to swim in Westmeath. 

Make your way to The Cut, a couple of kilometres outside Collinstown village, and you’ll find a sweet set-up for swimmers: a small jetty, a sandy beach and the kind of clear water that makes you want to jump right in. Handily enough, there’s also a car park, changing facilities and toilets here too. After your dip, head a few minutes down the road to the Fore Abbey Coffee Shop, around 4km away, for a post-swim warm-up with tea and toasties.

Keep it going: Take a stroll along St Feichin’s Way, a looped trail around Fore Abbey – it’s a perfect route for enjoying the legendary “Seven Wonders of Fore”, which include a monastery built on a bog. 

4. Relax at a luxury lakeside retreat
There’s something irresistible about a luxury stay by the water, and over the last few years, Westmeath has levelled up to offer some truly gorgeous experiences, whether you want to languish in a hot tub overlooking Lough Ree or enjoy a creamy pint of Guinness in a lakeside bar. 

At Wineport Lodge, there’s a feeling of being enveloped in nature with floor-to-ceiling windows in each of the 34 rooms. The lakeside Cedarwood Spa and outdoor hot tubs seal the deal. Over on the shores of Lough Ree, near Glasson village, the Glasson Lakehouse serves up a more contemporary vibe, with everything from classic rooms to a one-bedroom cabin. Luxuriate in the spa, kayak on the lake or swim in the outdoor heated pool. And if you’re after a stay that blends nature with a bit of town buzz, then try the Hodson Bay Hotel. There are great treks and trails right on your doorstep, a spa, leisure centre and a restaurant overlooking the lough. All just a short hop from Athlone.

Live it up: Need to get to dinner and you don’t want to drive? Hidden Heartlands Tours offers a water taxi service that will bring you from either Hodson Bay, Glasson Lakehouse and Wineport Lodge to Athlone town and back. Genius.




5. Refresh with a Finnish-style sauna and wild lake dip
The exhilarating mix of steam, heat and cold is sparking a wave of sauna pop-ups all over Ireland, including Westmeath! And with a perfect lakeside location on the edge of the calm, lustrous waters of Lough Ennell, The Sauna Society is the ideal go-to for some tranquil time-out. A stone’s throw from the water, these snug and stylish dark-wood cabins are wood-fired to a temperature of around 80 degrees, which will have you feeling toasty in no time. Once you’re warmed up, the cool waters of Lough Ennell are waiting to deliver the ideal refresh before you’re ready to get back into the heat again.

Feeling peckish? Sate your post-sauna appetite at the Bloomfield House Hotel, just a short drive from The Sauna Society, where you can enjoy a relaxed bar menu or a four-course table d'hôte. 

6. Walk in the footsteps of High Kings 
On a clear day, walking up the Hill of Uisneach will reward you with a panorama of hills and mountains, green plains and racing skies. But walk this place with a guide and you’ll enter a compelling world of myth, legend and folklore. Deeply tied to ancient tradition, the “sacred centre of Ireland” is one of six Irish royal sites and is currently on a list of places in Ireland awaiting UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Join a tour and you’ll hear captivating stories about places such as The Royal Palace, Lough Lugh – named after the sun god Lugh – and St Patrick’s Bed, a mysterious megalithic tomb from where you can look out on an astonishing 20 counties. 

Take a break: After your hike, it’s only a 10-minute drive to Jack’s Stop at Streamstown on the Old Rail Trail, where you can reward yourself with cakes, sandwiches and coffee.


7. Embark on a guided fishing tour
Whether you’re new to casting a line or you’re an experienced angler, you’re definitely in good hands with James Greene of Brick Island Angling, which brings visitors from all over the world out onto the waters of Lough Ree. “We get a real mixture of people,” Greene says, “people who’ve fished a lot and people who are just trying it for the first time.” Greene grew up in the area and has spent a lifetime fishing these waters, so he knows just the right spots for the best pike and trout fishing. But as well as enjoying the angling, it’s the scenery that, in Greene’s experience, people are really blown away by. “They love it,” he says. “The minute they go up the river, they’re taking pictures. They love the scenery and the lake and how vast it is, and they love the history of it.” Greene takes groups out for full-day angling trips, but can also arrange boat trips and tours for non-anglers.

Treat yourself: Drop into 1,000-year-old Sean’s Bar for a post-angling pint in front of the open fire. 

8. Feel the wellness of Lough Ennell
As you reach the shores of Lough Ennell, it’s as if the weight of the world lifts off your shoulders. The landscape here has a muted beauty – the soft greys and silver tones of the lake, the rippling tremor of water stirred by the breeze, and birds calling across the stillness. There’s a deep sense of tranquillity that washes over you. It’s no surprise then that wellness activities like paddleboarding feel perfectly at home here, offering not just a fun water activity but a chance to go slowly, move mindfully and reconnect with nature. For a restorative experience, book a session on the lake with SUPwell Ireland, who run guided classes and tours. Want to try something new? Go for the Sunset SUP Yoga and Sauna Experience, which combines yoga on a paddleboard with a sauna at The Sauna Society’s wooden cabins. 

Connect further: Take things to a deeper level with a forest bathing experience, forest day retreat, or sunset paddles with a moonrise floating soundbath. All run by SUPwell. See their website for details.


9. Cycle the Greenways
Lush green landscapes, scenic old bridges, and a sense of being wrapped in nature are what characterise the Old Rail Trail, one of two Greenways that you can cycle in Westmeath. There’s something supremely tranquil about this route as you pedal in the shade of leafy trees, past wildflowers that hum with the buzz of bees and by 19th-century station houses. Chat to fellow cyclists and enjoy the warm welcome at the super-friendly Jack’s Stop at Streamstown. Break for a blast of history and heritage at the Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park. And enjoy sweeping views of the undulating green farmland along the way. In Mullingar, the Old Rail Trail connects with one of Westmeath’s other great cycle routes – the Royal Canal Greenway. For those who enjoy cycling alongside water, this is an excellent option with the lustrous sheen of the canal, the green reeds and the gentle bob of canal boats. A great option from Mullingar is to cycle to Cunningham’s Bar, an old-school pub that also serves as a light hardware store. Like the Old Rail Trail, the greenway here is mostly flat, making it perfect for all levels of fitness.

Need to know:  Bicycle hire is available from Moby in Athlone and Mullingar, and Mullingar Bike Hire. The Old Rail Trail is 42km, but can be cycled in sections, with the most popular being Athlone to Moate (14.5km). 

10. Walk “In the Company of Trees”
Tullynally Castle has been the home of the Packenham family for more than 370 years. Originally built as a fortified house, it was extended in the 1800s into the striking Gothic Revival castle you see today – a place that’s well worth enjoying on a guided tour. For those who prefer their adventures outdoors, it’s the gardens, parkland and woodland that really shine at Tullynally. Lovingly tended, this beautiful landscape also has a personal touch – a special Tree Trail that has been curated by the present owner of the castle, Thomas Packenham. Encompassing 24 of Packenham’s favourite trees, the trail takes about two hours to complete and is a tranquil, intimate and thought-provoking way to explore the beautiful woodland here. 

Take a break: The Stables Tea Room at Tullynally is perfect for sandwiches, salads and soups after your walk.