Location: Bray
Top Things to do in Bray
The 7 Best Things to Do in Bray, Ireland
Bray (Irish: Bré, meaning "hill", formerly Brí Chualann) is a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated about 20 km (12 mi) south of Dublin city centre on the east coast. It has a population of 32,600 making it the fourteenth largest urban area in all of Ireland and the ninth largest urban area within the Republic of Ireland (at the 2016 census).
Restaurants in Bray
1. Bray Head Cliff Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 924 reviews
Reviewed By Mike F - Dublin, Ireland
While I heard that this walk was a great hike, I found it a little disappointing. The start from Bray is nice along the sea front but towards the end at Greystones, it just seems to be flat farmland and nothing really of interest. It ran into more scrub land and then into a building site with metal fencing. What an eye sore. Greystones seems an ok village. Got the train back as one member of the group had sore feet. Just beware when buying a train ticket as the machine is rather rmisleading. The first option is for a return ticket rather than singles, so just be careful what your buying. While the walk was ok, the Howth cliff walk is better.
2. Bray Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 398 reviews
Reviewed By Vincent D
Bray Head has it all.
However as a tourist attraction the cliff walk is the most popular attraction.
This is reviewed elsewhere.
The cliff walk is about 7km and links to towns of Bray and Greystones.
Once upon a time there was a ski-lift to bring passengers up to the top but regretfully it no longer operates.
3. Killruddery House & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By mcconnellboys - Lexington, Kentucky
This is a bit of a faded glory, I'm afraid. The family does still live here; there are a lot of movies supposedly filmed here, but I was not impressed by any part of the grounds, Gardens, orangery, house, reflecting pools, etc. Not sure where the money is going from the film companies, but it is not going into any restoration efforts that I could see either inside the house or around the grounds.... I wish we had skipped this one in favor of more time at Glendalough....
4. National Sea Life Centre
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 388 reviews
The National SEA LIFE Centre on the Seafront in Bray is a perfect family fun day out. An aquatic Zoo with 30+ displays which are home to over 1,000 creatures including: Black Tip Reef Sharks, Octopus, Seahorses, Stingrays and Red-Bellied Piranha, we will take you on a journey of the deep...without getting wet! The Aquarium is completely indoors making it a perfect rainy day activity. Just a 2 minute walk from Bray DART Station and a relaxing and scenic 30 minute train ride from Dublin City Centre making us a perfect choice for tourists and residents alike. The National SEA LIFE Centre, Bray is one of the East Coasts top visitor attractions.
Reviewed By Jason K - Dundalk, Ireland
Booked online to avail of the discount and quick check in. Arrived and was nice and quick check in nice friendly staff even joked with me in regards to Dundalk FC and game the night before. Anyway back to the tour the child was given quiz sheet before we started so as we went along she was Reading all the signs that we she could and getting us to read the others. Great selection of sea life and great to see the child inform her mother of the different fish and what they can do espically with the toxic fish :). All in all took about 45/50 minutes when we where there we got to touch the star fishes and then the Ray tank is some job watching the Ray's pop their heads out of the water and follow you, both myself and child really enjoyed this. We where finished and picking up something small in the shop and the child was getting her medal for completing the quiz when announcement came through that feeding in main tank in 5 minutes. They stamp your hand so that you can go back in so away we went back in to watch the feed. The child really enjoyed the talk during the feed and relayed all back on car ride home. Would recomment visit here espically if you have childs who love nature or animals.
5. Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Since our launch in August 2002, Mermaid Arts Centre has made a splash in the artistic and cultural life of County Wicklow. We present an ambitious programme of performance including innovative dance, spellbinding theatre, cutting edge music and art-house cinema.
Reviewed By mysteriousmims_123 - Dublin, Ireland
Great little local theatre and a great amenity for Bray. I keep an eye on the programme of forthcoming events and go whenever I can. The seats in the theatre are a little close together so sitting for any length of time can be painful if, like me, you are tall (hence 4 Stars).
What is really interesting is the cafe attached to the Mermaid - Betelnut. It is a charming little cafe in the foyer of the theatre, with some chairs and tables outside. The bread is made daily and is delicious. Soup was home-made and full of flavour. But the most interesting thing was the fillings in the sandwiches. They were so imaginative and creative. The ingredients are fresh and varied. No toasted chedder and ham here !!! To impress even further, the prices were really reasonable.
I understand that the sister theatre in Blanchardstown - the Draiocht - also has a Betelnut Cafe. Well done to the owner for the quality of ingredients.
6. Festina Lente Equestrian Centre & Walled Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Festina Lente is an embracing not-for-profit organisation founded in 1988 which hosts an Equestrian Centre, Walled Gardens, Garden Centre & Educational Training Centre and provides a range of occupational, learning and employment opportunities for people whose needs have not been met in mainstream services. All activities encourage individual choice, personal development, achievement and progression. Our campus is situated in the grounds of what was once Old Connaught House: formerly the residence of the Plunket family. Festina Lente (Latin) means Hasten Slowly and is the Plunket family motto. We adopted this as the name of our organisation in 1995 because it conveys our culture perfectly. On the campus there is a two and a half acre Victorian Walled Garden. The Garden was once part of the Plunket estate and was developed during the family's ownership. Each Baron Plunket made changes to the Garden which included the addition of the kitchen garden, a large greenhouse and a pool garden. Today the Ornamental Garden has a beautiful Fountain, various flower beds, borders, statues and a variety of other original features. The Pool Garden has two large rectangular pools; they are home to our terrapins and goldfish. The Kitchen Garden has a spectacular herbaceous border and a working kitchen garden where fruit and vegetables are grown in allotments. The Walled Garden is also home to our Garden Shop where we stock a variety of seeds and plants, as well as various crafts and foods. We have wonderful facilities in our Equestrian Centre; it is both a working and learning environment for hundreds of people every year. We have a reputation for excellence in coaching people of all ages and abilities who, not only learn to ride, they also learn about horse welfare and management.
Reviewed By Justyna K - Ireland
Victorian garden, walled and manicured; two ponds- one with 16 sunbathing turtles! Interesting plants, some of which you can buy at the kiosk; coffee shop with cakes and a fairy tree! Gardening plots (allotments) and pony camps. Education and fun. Free entrance. My children were delighted! But, surprisingly, even people living nearby, know not about the place... Maybe that's for the better?..
7. The Holy Redeemer Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By TheConDog - Rome, Italy
Scintillating mass from a very lively young priest. He was very holy and showed me new ways to think about myself, very deeply. The architecture of the church itself was breathtaking. Really big tower, impressive, erotic one might even say. Would recommend.
