Activities & Attractions in County Down

Things to do in County Down

The very geography of County Down offers variety in itself. There’s the Mourne mountains sweeping down to the sea. There’s Strangford Lough, the largest lough of its kind in Britain and Ireland. The Ards Peninsula has a sea-bitten flavour all of its own. Head inland, into Bronte Country, and everything changes as rock and sand quickly give way to farmland and woods.

It’s no surprise then that there’s also a wide variety of things to do and see in County Down.

Family fun never grows old here

Start with one of Northern Ireland’s most popular, fun-filled attractions. The Let’s Go Hydro Aqua Park just outside Belfast is packed with all kinds of activities, from open water swimming to waterslides, cable water sports, aqua rugby, tubing, wakeboarding and paddle-boarding. They’ve on-site glamping facilities, meaning you can make a weekend of it too.

Clearsky Adventure Centre at Old Castle Ward on the shores of Strangford Lough is another place where the sky’s the limit when it comes to things to do. Set amidst the remains of a medieval fortress, where scenes from both Vikings and Game of Thrones® were filmed, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice. Axe throwing or archery? Cycling or coasteering? Sea safari or star-gazing from a glamping pod? You couldn’t make it all up and, fortunately, you don’t have to because it’s all there waiting for you.

The jewel in the crown – Hillsborough Castle

(Access is only available to the gardens and café during the winter. The Castle reopens in the spring).

Hillsborough Castle is one of the official Royal Palaces and is well worth visiting. It was built in Georgian style and splendour by Wills Hill and is beautifully set in 100 acres of well-tended parkland and gardens. A guided tour of the castle will trace the history of the palace as you move from one opulent room to another, including the magnificent State Rooms, the Red Room and Throne Room. Outside, you’re able to wander the grounds, discovering the restored Walled Garden, Lost Garden and a myriad of winding avenues, paths and lawns. After all that, head for the on-site cafe and gift shop, which are almost reasons to visit in themselves.

From a palace to a castle

Castle Ward, facing Strangford Lough, also offers another face to the world. It was in fact built in two contrasting styles. Why? Because the couple who built it, Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, and his wife, Ann, simply couldn’t agree on the style and décor - and we’re not talking white or magnolia paint here! To compromise, the half of the castle facing the lough is built and decorated in an elaborate Gothic style, while the half facing inland is in a classical Palladian style. If that alone gives you a taste for the place, just wait until you get there. Apart from the house itself, there’s a stable yard which featured heavily in Game of Thrones®, plus cycling, walking, archery, horse-riding and acres of immaculately planted and tended grounds to explore.

Grand indoors to great outdoors – Mournes, Newcastle and more

After all that grandeur, get out and clear your head in the Mourne Mountains, which are perfect for hiking, criss-crossed as they are with countless walking trails and conveniently-placed car parks. Many of the accessible trails and paths will at some point lead you down into Silent Valley or up the slopes of Slieve Donard, or both. Either way, the Mournes make for a breath-taking outdoors experience. Even stepping off a trail to admire the panoramic views across the glittering Irish sea feels like an event in itself. Look out for the Cooley peninsula to the south, the Isle of Man to the north-east, with Mount Snowdon in Wales visible through binoculars on the clearest of days.

It’s a short hop from here to the popular seaside town of Newcastle, with its long silver strand, Royal County Down championship golf course, iconic Slieve Donard hotel and the usual seaside attractions for kids of all ages.

Another option worth exploring is the water, and there’s a lot of it to go around in these parts. Strangford Lough is both immense and intimate at the same time, with harbours, villages, marinas, slipways and quays dotted along its coastline. It’s a great place to take a kayak out for a few hours exploring the many islands, with hire shops and instructors always nearby.

Refuel, revive and imbibe as you explore

County Down plays host to a number of microbreweries, and if craft beer, local gins or homemade wines are of interest, we recommend you add a few of the following to your itinerary.

Shortcross Gin Distillery in Downpatrick, and the Echlinville Distillery out on the Ards peninsula are but a few of the brewers and distillers leading the way in our burgeoning craft drink revival. Each is worth a visit to take in the setting, learn about the perfection of the process, sample the wonderful products, and even take a souvenir - or a bottle - home with you too.

That’s just a whistle-stop tour of some of the highlights of this varied and vibrant county. Hopefully you’ll have found plenty of inspiration above, with more below – so get planning and away you go!

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, we strongly advise checking in advance before you travel to your intended destination to ensure its open and book tickets if applicable.

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Mourne Mountains Cycle Route

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle Visitor Information Centre, 10-14 Central Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

newcastle.vic@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

Cycing in the Mourne Mountains - start at the northern side of the resort of Newcastle and cycle along the A50 towards the market town of Castlewellan. Before Castlewellan, turn left onto Tollymore Road and then right onto Middle Tollymore Road.

More Info
Scrabo Hill

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A walk around Scrabo Hill, part of Scrabo Country Park

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tobar Mhuire Heritage Trail

Downpatrick

Address

Downpatrick, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A tranquil walk in beautifully wooded grounds

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Sketrick Castle

Killinchy

Address

Sketrick Island, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6QH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Sketrick Castle is located on Sketrick Island which is reached by a causeway on the west coast of Strangford Lough. This large tower house was built in the mid 15th century and was actively involved in warfare during the 16th century.

Price
Free

More Info
Winterfell Tours - Game of Thrones®

Strangford

Address

Winterfell Castle and Demesne, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7LS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 3933

raven@winterfell-tours.com

Type

Type:

Game of Thrones Experiences

Meet the real-life Direwolf Dogs & explore over 20 key Game of Thrones tour filming location hotspots on the beautiful 1,000-acre ancient sprawling demesne of Old Castle Ward, used for filming the epic adaption of George RR Martins Game of Thrones®…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Red Kite Tours NI

Rathfriland

Address

15 Finnard Road, Rathfriland, County Down, BT34 5BL

Telephone
+44 (0) 7763 821 925

shelagh@redkitetoursni.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Guided bird watching and wildlife tours around the scenic countryside and coastline of South Down.

Dates

From:
24 Nov 2024Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:

7 Dec 2024to8 Dec 2024Open 14:00 - 17:00

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Mourne, Cooley, Gullion Way

Newcastle

Address

Mourne Mountains, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0NQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

This breath-taking route is unique mix of three waymarked ways which remain largely undiscovered by the tourist. The 6000 year -old Sand dunes of Murlough bay and beach walking is a nice lead into this stunning cross-border walk.

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Down Arts Centre

Downpatrick

Address

2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Arts Centre

Located in the heart of Downpatrick, Down Arts Centre manages the Season Programme and is the operational base for Arts in Newry, Mourne and Down.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

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Crawfordsburn Country Park, Glen Walk

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Gently undulating walk through mature beech wood, closely following the course of the Crawford's Burn.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Temple Golf Club

Lisburn

Address

60 Church Road, Boardmills, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 6UP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9263 9213

info@templegolf.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Temple is one of the finest 9 hole golf courses in Northern Ireland having hosted the ‘National Nines’ on two consecutive occasions and is a fine challenge for novice and experienced golfers alike.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Newcastle Centre

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle Centre, 10 - 14 Central Promaenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4026

nlc.reception@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Family

With breathtaking backdrops, Newcastle Centre offers a wide range of activities suitable for all ages. From the strenuous to the sociable.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Raholp Church

Downpatrick

Address

Bannaghan Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7JS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Restored ruins of a sixth century church of St. Tassach, said to have given the last rites to St. Patrick. Entrance through pillars.

Price
Free

More Info
Kilkeel Harbour

Kilkeel

Address

The Nautilus Centre, Rooney Road, Kilkeel, Down, BT34 4AG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 2525

kdakilkeel@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Sea Fishing

Kilkeel Harbour was developed in the 1800s and is now home to Northern Irelands largest fishing fleet. In the ealy days schooners exported granite, potatoes and grain and imported coal, bricks etc.
It is also home to `Salt n Pepper' the resident…

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
47 reviews
Castle Park

Bangor

Address

Castle Park Avenue, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

Stroll through this beautiful wooded wonderland which is an exhilarating experience throughout the seasons.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Donaghaguy Reservoir

Newry

Address

Newry Visitor Information Centre, Bagenal's Castle, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3170

newryvic@newryandmourne.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

This 1.25 acre trout factory is situated on the outskirts of Warrenpoint. It is a shallow spring fed reservoir stocked monthly with Rainbow and Brown Trout (1.5-8Ib).

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bradshaws Brae Driving Range

Newtownards

Address

115 Old Belfast Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4TS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 3484

info@bradshawsbraedrivingrange.co.uk

Type

Type:

Driving Range

18 covered floodlit bays, 10 outside bays.
Also Explanar Teaching centre, resident PGA professional Gordon Fairweather.

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Ballyhafry & Beyond by Electric Bike– Bike Mourne

Rostrevor

Address

Rostrevor Forest Park, Rostrevor, County Down, BT33 3AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

Experience Mourne by road with our Self-Guided Tour of the townlands of Ballyhafry, Ballymagreehan, Ballymaginaghy & Beyond by Electric Bike.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bangor Marina

Bangor

Address

Bregenz House, 5 Quay Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9145 3297

bangor@boatfolk.co.uk

Type

Type:

Adventure Sports

Bangor Marina is located right in the heart of Bangor city centre close to all major road, rail and air transport networks. The Marina lies at the mouth of Belfast Lough offering exceptional access to world class yacht racing waters.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Delamont Long Walk

Killyleagh

Address

Delamont Country Park, 90 Downpatrick Rd,, Killyleagh, Down, BT30 9TZ

Telephone
03301374366

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

One of the Delamont Country Park Walks. All walks are wheelchair accessible and two mobility rambler scooters are available for use in the park. Car park charge at weekends and daily during the Summer Season.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
126 reviews
Downpatrick & County Down Railway

Downpatrick

Address

The Railway Station, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5779

info@downrail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Steam Railway

Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains through St. Patrick's Country, over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral to peaceful ruins of Inch Abbey.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking