Author: David

Steam Sunday – 28th August 2022

Posted on by David

The grounds at Oakfield Park include a host of sites to explore, including walled gardens, ponds, lakes, an outdoor playground, a hedge maze, heritage trees and sculptures. Children can make a wish at Oakfield Park’s Faerie tree, while navigating their way through extensive walks and trails.
Weave your way through the park’s gardens along 4.5km of narrow-gauge track on Oakfield Park’s diesel and steam trains, the ‘Duchess of Difflin’ and ‘The Earl of Oakfield.’ The trains operate passenger trips around the grounds, which is a magical way to explore the park’s gardens as the train passes through flower meadows, beautiful woodlands, willow tunnels, oak circles, boardwalks, heritage trees, a wooden causeway and sparkling streams and lakes.
After a day exploring the parklands, visitors can refuel in Buffers Restaurant, which is open alongside park opening hours and is returning with a delicious new menu created with produce from the park’s gardens.

Oakfield Park: We Are Hiring

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Want to join the Oakfield Park team?

If you’re interested in working in beautiful gardens, in a bustling restaurant then look no further!

We offer a vibrant workplace with a varied, challenging, and exciting working experience, and we require people with energy, ability, and a great attention to detail.

To apply please email [email protected] or call 0749173910

We will give you a call back on the phone number on your CV if you’re a suitable candidate and we would like to meet you.

Seasonal Chef

  • Sociable working hours
  • Full training provided

    • Oakfield Park: Top Four Ways To Help Pollinators

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    Today is #WorldEarthDay and it’s all about highlighting way we can save our planet and be more sustainable. Here at Oakfield Park we strive to protect our planet How? By planting new trees, conserving water, supporting pollinators and using garden produce to create our Buffers menu. We all have a role to play and here are four ways you can help pollinators at home:

    PLANT POLLINATOR FRIENDLY TREES

    Native trees and shrubs such as Willow, Hawthorn, Rowan, Crab Apple, and Holly support huge numbers of insects including pollinators. Plant a young tree in the autumn or winter or grow them from seed.

    CREATE NESTING HABITATS FOR POLLINATORS

    Our ninety-nine species of wild pollinators nest in hedgerows, wild areas, dry stone walls, and even in the ground. To make a nesting habitat for them, just scrape back some bare earth, leave some areas to grow wild, or simply drill holes 10cm deep in unvarnished wood for solitary bees.

    NECTAR AND POLLEN-RICH PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN

    There are plenty of beautiful plants you can choose for your garden that are rich in nectar and pollen. Bidens and Bacopa are great bedding plants for small containers and hanging baskets; and herbs such as Thyme and Rosemary provide food for you as well as for pollinators. Make sure you keep these plants to your garden and don’t plant them in the wider landscape. Outside your garden, the best action for pollinators is to create biodiversity meadows and margins by reducing mowing.

    SPREAD NATIVE WILDFLOWER SEEDS

    Spread native wildflower seeds in your gardens!

    Want to find out more about all the environmental practices at Oakfield Park? Check this out – OUR PRACTICES.

    Steam Sunday – 26th June

    Posted on by David

    Sunday 26th June & the last Sunday of each month.

    The grounds at Oakfield Park include a host of sites to explore, including walled gardens, ponds, lakes, an outdoor playground, a hedge maze, heritage trees and sculptures. Children can make a wish at Oakfield Park’s Faerie tree, while navigating their way through extensive walks and trails.
    Weave your way through the park’s gardens along 4.5km of narrow-gauge track on Oakfield Park’s diesel and steam trains, the ‘Duchess of Difflin’ and ‘The Earl of Oakfield.’ The trains operate passenger trips around the grounds, which is a magical way to explore the park’s gardens as the train passes through flower meadows, beautiful woodlands, willow tunnels, oak circles, boardwalks, heritage trees, a wooden causeway and sparkling streams and lakes.
    After a day exploring the parklands, visitors can refuel in Buffers Restaurant, which is open alongside park opening hours and is returning with a delicious new menu created with produce from the park’s gardens.

    The Saturday Stretch

    Posted on by David

    Discover Donegal & Oakfield Park, this Summer. Oakfield Park is now open 7 days per week with fun for all the family. It truly is a wonderful place to escape, it is best known as the Secret Jewel of the county. Located in Raphoe, Oakfield Park is one of Donegal’s best-loved outdoor attractions and has everything you need to plan the perfect outdoor adventure. Enjoy the surroundings everyday throughout June, July & August from 11am – 6pm and throughout September the opening hours are Wednesday – Sunday 12-6pm.

    The Saturday Stretch is running every Saturday throughout June with extended opening hours which will allow for later evening trains and live music and food specials in Buffers. Craft beers, wines and a selection of drinks are also available. If it’s a family day out, friends get together or a romantic date night, it is the ideal evening for everyone.

    Yoga In The Park

    Posted on by David

    Relax & unwind with a morning of pure relaxation at Oakfield Park. Sunday 26th June we have a one hour yoga session with the amazing Cathy Brogan Yoga followed by delicious smoothies and access to the park thereafter. To book your space please email [email protected]

    Teddy Bears’ Picnic

    Posted on by David

    Oakfield Park Ready For 2022 Season

    Posted on by David

    Oakfield Park is ready for the 2022 season! Excitement is building ahead of our re-opening this week. We can’t wait to welcome you all back! Re-opening on Wednesday 30th March, we have a bumper season of events and family days out planned. Oakfield Park will open from 12noon – 6pm Wednesday – Sunday in April and May. From June until August, we will be open seven days a week from 11am – 6pm, with some late evening openings for special events.

    FIRST EVENT OF THE YEAR
    While the Oakfield Park team is putting the final touches to the gardens for our first visitors of the year, we are also busy in the background planning for our first event of the year – Oakfield’s Easter Storybook. Taking place on Friday 15th, Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th and Monday 18th April, this exciting event will bring together your favourite characters from children’s storybook classics such as Alice in Wonderland, Hansel and Gretle, Little Red Riding Hood and Harry Potter, to name a few. Expect family games, face-painting, story-tellers, crafts, Easter egg trails and hunts, puppet shows and delicious craft food from Buffers. We’ll be launching more details on our social channels in the coming days and weeks, but be sure to pop this four-day Easter weekend into your diary for a must-do experience in Donegal this Easter!

    Other events to keep an eye out for during 2022 include our annual family music festival Oakfest, our popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic event, Steam Sundays, Halloween, Buffers Nights foodie experience and our magical Harry Potter weekend.

    NEW ADDITIONS
    We always strive to bring new elements to the park for visitors to enjoy and over the last few years we’ve added a real life-size Maze, geodesic dome and art sculptures. New to Oakfield Park this year is the launch of a new self-propelled rail-cart that’s suitable for one or two people. We are also working on an educational nature table in the geodesic dome.

    BUFFERS
    For the first time since 2019, Buffers will reopen for indoor dining with a delicious menu filled with new additions and various options to suit everyone. Our outdoor dining will still also be available We are also very proud to say that our head chef has been working hard on the menu, and all kid’s options will be homemade, including our hand-cut chips. We’re also excited to announce that ‘Buffers Nights’ will return this year. This is a unique culinary foodie experience, inspired by seasonal local produce. Keep an eye on our social channels for details coming soon.

    GROUPS & TOURS
    We are now taking bookings for group tours, private functions and school tours for all ages. We can also arrange a special Nature Trail for school-going age groups.

    2022 SEASONAL / GOLD PASSES
    Our seasonal and gold passes are now available to purchase online or from Oakfield Park’s office. Offering excellent value for customers, they pay off after only a few visits. Find out more HERE.

    For more information or to speak to a member of staff – call 074 91 73922 or email [email protected]. To keep up to date on news and special offers, follow us on social: Facebook and Instagram.