Spring is here, so it's a lovely time to get out and about and see what the areas around Bray have to offer.

Walk the Sugarloaf Trail

Spring is a good time to get the walking shoes on and discover some of the trails and walks within easy reach of Bray. Just a 15-minute drive from the town will bring you to one of Wicklow's iconic spots, Great Sugarloaf Mountain, one of the notable North Wicklow landmarks. There are few different trails you can take, the shorter Sugarloaf Walk, which takes about an hour or the Sugarloaf Loop, taking approximately 2.5 hours.

If you plan on climbing the Sugarloaf, there are few routes you can take. The starting point for the shorter walk is the small car park at the base of the mountain. It's best to arrive early in the day as the car park can get busy. It takes about an hour in total to reach the top and return down, but make some extra time to take in the spectacular views. There is a clear trail and it's not too strenuous, so it's a good walk for bringing younger family members on. The Sugarloaf Loop takes over 2.5 hours; you can start at either Red Lane car park or at Kilmacanogue GAA grounds. This loop walk is approximately 7.5km, so a good walk if you fancy getting out in the fresh air for longer.

Make sure to have good walking shoes or boots on when tackling the Sugarloaf on the mountain track. Bring some water and rain gear for the changeable weather. Whichever walk you choose, you won't regret it as the views are wonderful at the summit.

For information on routes, maps and parking, check out Visit Wicklow.

Stop by a Country Market

A short hop down the N11 from Bray will bring you to Newcastle; it only takes about 20 minutes to find yourself at North Wicklow Country Market. If you're looking for some genuinely good bread, cakes, organic veg and home made jams, this is the place to come. Every Saturday morning Newcastle Community Centre is home to an array of stalls selling everything from farm-fresh eggs to summer bedding plants. So whether it's small batch artisan food or craft gifts, there is bound to be something to bring home.

Newcastle Country Market runs on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12.:30 p.m. More details are available via their Facebook Page.

Springtime at Mount Usher Gardens

The ever-changing colours and scents of the trees and flowers at Mount Usher Gardens make it one of the nicest places to take a few hours to enjoy all spring has to offer. The gardens run along the banks of the River Vartry and are filled with wonderful trees and flowers. With over 5,000 species of plants, it has photo-perfect scenes around every bend.

Just over 20 minutes from Kilruddery and 25 from Bray, Mount Usher Gardens is an oasis of beauty. Make a day of it by having lunch at Avoca at the gardens before enjoying all this horticultural gem has to offer.

Admission to Usher Gardens is by ticket, which you can purchase at the entrance. Prices and opening times are available on their website.

Just some ways to enjoy Bray and its environs this weekend.