Discover Blackwater: Forest, beach and experiences

In Blackwater, you’ll find woodland paths with sea views, protected historic buildings and unusual leisure activities. The Blackwater Forest Trail passes through wooded areas and offers sea views along the way; there’s also a golf course, footgolf and Blackwater Open Farm among the range of activities available locally. When choosing a holiday rental in Blackwater, you can consider whether your trip is more about nature walks, an active outing or a visit with animals and play activities.

A forest trail with sea views and varied terrain

The Blackwater Forest Trail starts and finishes at the Church Car Park in Blackwater village. It is rated moderate and runs along both forest paths and public roads. This combination is part of the route’s terrain, which you can take into account when planning your day. Suitable hiking boots and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing are recommended for the walk. Refreshments and toilets are available in Blackwater village.

Along the trail, wooded sections alternate with views that reach the sea through the hedgerows. Bluebells, ferns, mushrooms and rushes are among the sights described, along with the varied wildlife and birdlife. The route leads to Knocknasillogue Beach. If you enjoy combining exercise with nature-watching, this gives you a clear idea of what to expect from an outing, without the route being limited to forest alone.

Nearby, Curracloe Beach’s white sands also stretch from Raven Point to Ballyconigar. A nature trail runs through the dunes. This stretch of coast complements the forest and sea views on the Blackwater Forest Trail with a landscape of its own: beach, dunes and a path through the dune area. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between the walk that starts and finishes in the village and a visit to the nearby beach.

Protected buildings in the village

The buildings also give Blackwater its distinctive character. Shell Cottage is a protected historic dwelling with a thatched roof. Its striking feature is the shells attached to the rendered exterior walls. Blackwater Bridge is also protected and historic; its two shallow arches define the bridge. Both places invite you to notice the village’s architectural details during your stay. The cottage combines a traditional thatched roof with an unusual façade, while the shape of the bridge’s arches is its defining feature.

Golf, footgolf and other activities

Blackwater Golf Course is a scenic par-3 valley course with streams, lakes and mature trees. It operates on a pay-and-play basis, is open to everyone and is open year-round. If you’d like to include golf in your trip, you can take these course features into account when choosing your activities. Blackwater Footgolf offers a different kind of game: its challenging course has 18 holes and is suitable for all ages.

At Blackwater Footpool, pool is played on a large outdoor scale: the playing surface is artificial grass and the balls are footballs. Blackwater Open Farm also brings together a range of experiences. Visitors can meet rabbits, chicks and larger animals. Facilities include a zip line, a climbing net, a covered adventure playground, a pedal go-kart track and a covered tractor track. The farm also has a dedicated dog playground. The activities therefore include both outdoor options and play and ride areas that are explicitly covered.

If you’d like to explore the landscape, you can focus on the forest paths and beach; if you prefer activities, there are different games and sports to choose from. A holiday rental in Blackwater is a suitable search option if you’d like to make the village itself your base for your trip.

If you’d like to discover more destinations, you can also visit Castlebridge, Inch, Milehouse, Gorey, Saint Helen's, Newbawn, Carne and Adamstown.

For the broader travel overview: County Wexford.