James Stuart built Gracehill House in c.1775 and named it after his wife, Grace Lynd. The house was originally surrounded by a large estate which has recently been developed into a golf course and popular restaurant. The former entrance to the estate is now a public road lined with beech trees and is a popular tourist attraction known as ‘the Dark Hedges’.
The estate has a royal heritage dating back to the early 17th century.
James I granted the land to a cousin who drowned on his way to Ireland before he could take possession of his new home. The estate then passed to his grandson, William Stuart, and remained in the Stuart family for many generations.
Several of them have been brought down by storms in recent years and just 86 currently remain.
The Dark Hedges Estate is sitting on 300 acres which is made up of a 18 Hole Golf Course, Gracehill House, The Pantry (Cafe), Visitor Car Park, Gift Shop & The Hedges Hotel.
16 bedroom hotel is combined with a large function room catering for 200 people, lounge, bar and restaurant.
open 7 days a week serving food from 12pm until 9pm.
LUNCH MENU - 12PM UNTIL 4PM
DINNER MENU - 4pm until 9PM
CARVERY - 12pm until 5pm - AL A CARTE MENU AVAILABLE SUNDAY 12pm until 9pm
A favourite local ghost story features the grey lady, a spectre that glides along the Bregagh Road, sashaying between the gnarled trees. She vanishes from sight when she passes the last tree.
Whilst some local people believe she is the ghost of a maid from the nearby house who died in mysterious circumstances centuries ago, or perhaps the daughter of James Stuart, referred to in some genealogy lists as ‘Cross Peggy’, others believe that she is a lost spirit from an old, deserted graveyard that is thought to lie hidden in the fields nearby. On Halloween night, the forgotten graves are said to open and the Grey Lady is joined on her walk by the tormented souls of those who were buried beside her.
Contact
Address
The Hedges Hotel,
139A Ballinlea Road,
Stranocum,
Ballymoney BT53 8PX,
Northern Ireland
Phone
02820440600
