By Alaric 
One of the more intriguing attractions in Northern Ireland has to be the mysterious Garvagh Pyramid.
Yep, you read that right. Northern Ireland has its very own pyramid that’s tucked away in Garvagh Forest.
Also known as “The Vault”, this structure was commissioned by Lord Garvagh shortly after his Grand Tour of Egypt in the 19th century.
It was intended to be his final resting place and there are legends that it’s haunted by ghosts.
You must visit if you’re on a road trip as it’s one of the most bizarre attractions in the country.
Here is how to visit The Garvagh Pyramid, a hidden gem in Northern Ireland.
Why is there a pyramid in Garvagh Forest?
Nestled in the Garvagh Forest, you’ll find a huge structure called The Garvagh Pyramid.
It measures 18 feet by 21 feet and is completely made of stone blocks.
The forest was formerly an estate owned by the Canning Family from 1614 to 1921.
The Canning’s were largely responsible for establishing Garvagh Village and they lived in Garvagh Mansion during this time.
George Canning, 1st Baron Garvagh, was an Anglo-Irish Member of Parliament.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 28 October 1818.
Shortly after he embarked on a Grand Tour of Egypt, where he visited the Pyramids of Giza and was instantly fascinated by them.
George Canning ordered a pyramid to be built on his demesne as his future mausoleum.
He later died in France in 1840 and decided not to be interred inside the pyramid.
His wife outlived him and decided she didn’t want to be buried inside the tomb either.
So, the structure was left in the Garvagh Forest and has remained there ever since.
Despite the family not being buried inside, many locals still adamantly believe that this structure is haunted by ghosts.
There’s also a local legend of the structure containing hidden treasure!
How to find The Garvagh Pyramid
Today, the Garvagh mansion no longer exists and was replaced by Garvagh High School in th 1960s. This was also shut down in 2013.
But, the Garvagh demesne and 500 acres of surrounding land are now known as Garvagh Forest.
Since the 1920s, this land has been transformed into a park that is open to the public and has numerous scenic trails for walkers and cyclists.
The forest is located in the Civil Parish of Corelaine, County Derry and is just a few miles from the Causeway Coast.
This makes it a great pit stop if you’re on a road trip around Northern Ireland.
If you’re not driving, you can take the 116a bus service from Corelaine that stops in the village close by.
Fortunately, this attraction doesn’t require an extensive walk to find it through the trees.
You can easily locate The Garvagh Pyramid as it’s right next to the car park on a very short trail.
Garvagh Forest parking
If you’re heading here by car, when you arrive in Garvagh village you will find brown tourist signs pointing to the Garvagh Forest.
Make a turn and you can park in the dedicated parking area provided.
Parking is completely free but it’s small and places are limited. Even during the week in October, I found the car park almost full.
It does get quite busy as it’s a popular park with dog walkers, locals and cyclists.
If you can’t find a space, there is some off-road parking found on the main high street nearby.
How long is the walk to The Garvagh Pyramid?
The Garvagh Forest is over 200 hectares but, fortunately, the pyramid is very close to the car park.
As soon as you exit the car park and head towards the forest, follow the path straight ahead up a small incline.
At the top of the hill, you’ll see The Garvagh Pyramid directly in front of you. The walk will only take you a couple of minutes at most.
It’s covered in green moss so it can blend in a little with the trees. You’ll most likely see the orange photo frame that’s been installed nearby first.
This is a great place to take some photos of the pyramid before you explore!
Exploring the eerie monument in the forest
Of course, The Garvagh Pyramid is nowhere near the size of the Giza Pyramids but it is still quite large as you approach it and dominates the copse.
At 18 feet x 21 feet, you can’t help but feel small as you walk around the triangular structure.
There are no carvings or inscriptions on the tomb which gives it a mysterious air.
If you didn’t do your research beforehand, it would be more than a little ominous to stumble upon.
The mystery of the attraction and location tucked away in the trees is just so bizarre and I absolutely loved it!
Beyond the pyramid, the forest it’s located in is also very scenic. I visited in autumn so I loved seeing all the falling leaves and orange foliage.
In spring, there are gorgeous bluebells that grow here and you can also find foxgloves and orchids in summer.
Also, be on the lookout for a pink plant known as ‘Stinky Bob’ that grows here from April – September.
Apparently, in summer this pretty flower absolutely reeks hence its namesake.
Can you go inside The Garvagh Pyramid?
No, you can’t go inside the pyramid as it’s not a tomb or a treasure chamber. As far as records go, it’s filled in.
It does have a nickname of “The Vault” as many believe that it contains hidden treasure.
I don’t think that’s true though and, even if it were, the family would have removed their belongings long before.
There is an outline of a ‘door’ on one of the sides that was part of the original design.
When it was built on the demesne it was going to be Lord Garvagh’s family mausoleum and that was to be the entrance.
But, after he and his wife decided not to be buried inside it was filled in and left as the structure we see today.
Can you imagine if this was a burial chamber? It would have made this attraction far more haunting and creepy.
Despite it being solid and no burials made inside, many locals say there are tales of ghosts that haunt this place!
Garvagh Forest walking trails
Apart from visiting the pyramid and reading the noticeboard, there’s not much else to it. I think my visit took around 20-30 minutes.
After you’ve finished visiting The Garvagh Pyramid, you can just head back to your car and carry on with your road trip.
However, the forest is 200 hectares and it is a great place to explore if you want to extend your visit.
There are plenty of walking and cycling trails that you can find throughout the forest with different ranges of difficulty.
There’s an information board in the car park where you can find out the lengths and routes
My advice would be to take a photo with your phone for reference.
Opening times and prices
It’s completely free to visit the Garvagh Pyramid and Garvagh Forest with all the gorgeous walking trails.
Even parking is free so it makes a great budget activity in Northern Ireland.
The pyramid is also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can visit anytime.
Note that there is no artificial lighting in the forest. So, the daytime would be the best time to visit!
Although I’m sure it’s a magical mood visiting this place in the dark under the moon and twinkling stars.
My top tips for visiting
- Wear sensible shoes – it’s a short walk but the trail can get mucky as it’s in the forest. I would wear trainers or boots.
- Parking is limited – there is a small car park near the entrance but places are limited. It can get full on weekends. There is off-road parking nearby if it’s full.
- Treat the site with care – don’t graffiti or try to damage the pyramid. (there really is nothing inside). Take all of your rubbish home with you etc.
Is The Garvagh Pyramid worth visiting?
Yes, I think it’s worth making a stop in Garvagh Forest for the novelty of visiting Northern Ireland’s only pyramid.
Would I go out of my way to visit this place? Not at all. But, it’s easy enough to make a quick pitstop on your way to the Causeway Coast.
I absolutely love quirky attractions like this and have been to a few now including Prince Albert’s Cairn in Scotland.
I’ve also been on a Grand Tour of Egypt to visit the Pyramids of Giza which was one of the best travel experiences of my life.
I can see why the late Lord was so enchanted by the pyramids, their meaning and why he wanted one for himself!
There’s just something about pyramids that makes them so captivating and it’s a fascination that spans the ages.
Don’t skip a visit to The Garvagh Pyramid in Northern Ireland.
You will most likely come away with more questions than answers but the eternal mystery is the best part.
Are you looking for more things to do on the Causeway Coast?
If you’re on a road trip around Northern Ireland there are so many amazing attractions to be found around the Causeway Coast.
From here you can visit attractions like Dowanhill Strand and the beautiful Mussendun Temple owned by the National Trust.
Most travellers will be driving the Causeway Coastal route and there are plenty of stops to make along the way.
You really can’t visit Northern Ireland without visiting the Giant’s Causeway. A magical attraction on the edge of the sea.
Ballintoy Harbour is also a gorgeous spot that has featured in many movies or you can visit the spectacular Dunluce Castle on the cliffs.
Or, you can head further along to cross over the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge! This is one of the best things to do, if a little scary.
One of my favourite places was Kinbane Castle which is a little bit of a hidden gem to escape the crowds.
There’s also Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay and Fair Head.
Don’t forget to stop at the Dark Hedges. This evocative tree tunnel is popular but well worth visiting as it looks like a scene from a dark fairytale.
Garvagh Pyramid FAQs
- How old is The Garvagh Pyramid? There doesn’t seem to be an exact date recorded on when the pyramid was built. But, Lord Garvagh ordered for it to be built in his demesne shortly after his Grand Tour of Egypt in the early 19th century. So, it’s around 200 years old give or take.
- Are there any pyramids in Ireland? Yes, there are 9 pyramids in Ireland, mostly cairns and mausoleums. There is only one pyramid in Northern Ireland.
Read more of my Northern Ireland travel guides
How to visit Glenoe Waterfall
Game of Thrones Studio Tour review
How to visit the Game of Thrones Tapestry
Glass of Thrones walk in Belfast
How to visit Pollnagollum Caves
Why you must visit the Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast
Discover Northern Ireland
Save The Garvagh Pyramid for later!
