Hidden Valley haven the far side of Hollywood
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| Hidden Valley Holiday Park a real haven in the heart of Wicklow |
A funny thing happened to me on the way to Kerry last Friday
– I ended up in Wicklow.
Work commitments meant a later than planned start and by the
time we were on the road the long anticipated visit to Mannix Point in Cahirciveen had to be put on hold, the four hour
run just too much on such a short corner.
But if you are going to visit the Garden of Ireland what
better time to do it than when spring finally decides to make an appearance
with a typical Irish heatwave, two-days, short and sweet, like the asses
gallop.
I think the last time I paid any meaningful heed to Wicklow
for a visit was a school tour and the loss has been all mine.
There are lots of camp sites to choose from in Wicklow and
we opted for Hidden Valley Holiday Park,
near the village of Rathdrum,
unusually for me foregoing my normal habit of heading for the coast. But the
change was as good as a rest and with 5-year-old granddaughter and chatterbox,
Kayla in tow, a family friendly site was crucial.
An ambling cross-country route was an ideal way to unwind en
route for the mysteriously inviting Hidden Valley with the first flush of
fluorescent yellow furze the green light to the birds and the bees to get busy.
The smell of freshly cut grass filled the air as lambs buck leaped in the
fields beyond the Curragh and Donnelly’s Hollow as they played
starring roles in the rolling hills around the enticing village of Hollywood
leading you on to the splendour of the Wicklow
Gap as cabin fever gives way to the first official trip of the delayed new
season. Easter is a moveable feast but someone forgot to tell the weather.
The genuine welcome to Wicklow by the friendly team at Hidden
Valley quickly banishes any lingering winter blues. (A special shout out to
Podge at reception for having the patience of Job). The campsite is well laid
out and with good services, family and pet friendly – but strictly no dogs
allowed in the children’s playground and rightly so.
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| The playground at Hidden Valley is excellent for young children |
The setting is just super, with the park nestled down inside
the surrounding slopes and dissected by the babbling Avonmore River whose banks are reserved on one side for tents in a special
camping area with otherwise a good mix of caravans, campervans and pod cabins
across the river.
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| There is a dedicated camping area for tents at Hidden Valley |
Some of the advertised facilities had yet to come on line
due to the sluggish start to the season I suppose, but overall there was plenty
to do including free fishing on site – although I didn’t spot a trout of any
size all weekend, so I wouldn’t hold my breath on that front. The park did
promote the availability of fast food which could be delivered from the two
local takeaways, but this seems to defeat the purpose of the exercise to my
mind and there were plenty of BBQs stoked up and taking advantage of the fine
spell. Afterwards the view from the bank of sinks in the wash-up area made
doing the dishes much less of a chore.
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| The view from the kitchen sink at Hidden Valley takes the hardship out of the wash-up |
Kayaking (and paddle boats) in an enclosed and safe internal
shallow lake were good fun and value at €6 paid for by tokens; showers at €1
for 6 minutes. There is free Wi-Fi, although I met at least one forlorn Dad
desperate to get his boys off the computers and PlayStation and Hidden Valley
seemed too tame for their teenage liking – but then again where isn’t?
The village of Rathdrum is only a ten minute stroll up the
hill from the holiday park and like so many small Irish towns it has seen
better days and is yet to find its way in the new world of commuters and
computers. I liked it though, it had its charm. Comerford’s general store and footwear was not only quaint but had lots
of goods and bargains (it reminded me of boyhood trips with my Granny to
Burke’s haberdashery on Main St., Portlaoise); while Jacob’s Well restaurant and bar was busy and you could easily see
why – not just that there was a crowd in for the Leinster rugby match, which
created a good buzz and along with the sunshine put everyone in extra good
form.
Apart from its own appeal, Hidden Valley Holiday Park is a good base and within easy striking
distance of some of Wicklow’s best scenery and attractions. Glendalough is just up the road and the
village of Avoca (the setting for
the Ballykissangel TV series) is
handy in the other direction; Brittas
Bay is convenient at 17km away, while just a stone’s throw down the road is
the meeting of the waters, forever enshrined in the Thomas Moore poem of the same name:
‘There is not in the
wide world a valley so sweet
As that vale in whose
bosom the bright waters meet’.
Hidden
Valley Holiday Park cost €62 (incl. electricity) for our campervan with two
adults and one child, for two nights.
