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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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
The Narnia Trail

Rostrevor

Address

Kilbroney Park, Shore Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The famous writer, C S Lewis, as a young boy, spent much holiday time in the Mournes and Rostrevor in particular, allowing him to imagine, dream and wonder, and inspiring his creation of the magical world of Narnia.

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Somme Museum

Newtownards

Address

233 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7PH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 3202

claire@sommeassociation.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Museum examines Ireland's role in the 1st World War with special reference to the cross-community involvement in the 3 local volunteer Divisions: the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Mahee Castle

Comber

Address

Mahee Island, Ringneill Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

This ruined Tower House commands a position at the north end of Mahee Island in Strangford Lough. The house was built in 1570 by an English soldier called Captain Browne. Today, it is badly ruined but still of considerable interest.

Price
Free

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Clanrye River

Newry

Address

C/O Newry Visitor Information Centre, Begenal's Castle, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3170

newryvic@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

The Clanrye River is a medium sized river (12 miles, 5-20m) with good brown trout fishing. Pike and small minnow frequent the waters and in the summer months you will find a run of sea trout.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
St Patrick's Golf Club

Downpatrick

Address

43 Saul Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6PA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5947

pro@stpatricksgolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

This parkland course measures 6,120 yards, and with tight tree lined fairways, fast and true greens and well placed bunkers provides a serious test of shot making.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises - Restaurant is Family Friendly. Everyone Welcome.
Murlough Beach

Newcastle

Address

Dundrum Road, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0LW

Telephone
03301374046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

This 5 mile stretch of golden sands is still the essence of the resort and is hugely popular for swimming, sunbathing and other forms of recreation.

Price
Free

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Hare's Gap

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Quarry track with final uphill section over rocky terrain.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Granite Trail (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop)

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The Granite Trail to Thomas’s Mountain is just over 1,100 metres

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Trassey to Bloody Bridge

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A moderate linear walk giving a true taste of the Mournes

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Bearnagh and Meelmore

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A 9km/5.5 mile circuit taking in 2 summits in the Mournes

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Whitespots Country Park

Newtownards

Address

233 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7PH

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Short (<5 miles)

Whitespots has a fascinating industrial heritage and a walk here gives an insight into the lead mining which took place here from the late 18th century until the 1910s. In the mid 19th century, around 40% of the total lead produced in Ireland was…

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Cloghy Rocks

Downpatrick

Address

61 Shore Road, Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7NW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3621

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Cloghy Rocks is a wonderful location as a number of seals are often spotted here. There are a lot of different habitats which makes this area home to a variety of small shellfish and worms.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Audley's Castle

Strangford

Address

Audleystown Road, Portloughan, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7LP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

The castle dates probably from around the 15th century, but the early history is unknown. This site was used for filming a scene for Game of Thrones®.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Glide with the Tide

Killinchy

Address

Mobile Team Adventure, Whiterock, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6QB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9064 6695

info@mobileteamadventure.co.uk

Type

Type:

Canoeing & Kayaking

Taking out a kayak is beautiful way to explore Strangford Lough. Down at water level, you are in tune with the tides, time of day and weather conditions. Gliding softly brings you closer to the lough’s wildlife, including seal pups and wild geese.

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Helen's Bay Golf Club

Helen's Bay

Address

Golf Road, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1TL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 2815

mail@helensbaygc.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Helen’s Bay Golf Club is one of the prettiest golf courses in the North Down/Greater Belfast area. Founded in 1896, it nestles on a gentle hill over Belfast Lough in the middle of a quaint village.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Strangford Lough Boat Tours

Killinchy

Address

Sketrick Island, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6QH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7938 517 009

strangfordloughactivitycentre@hotmail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Boat Tours

Strangford Lough Boat Tours offer trips, experiences and even a waterborne taxi service on the beautiful, protected waters of this incredible sea lough. Available for all people of all ages as well as to film crews and photographers,…

Dates

From:

1 Mar 2025to31 Oct 2025

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Kitesurf Academy

Newtownards

Address

Hawthorn Hill, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 8ET

Telephone
+44 (0) 7842 555 315

info@thekitesurfacademy.com

Type

Type:

Kitesurfing

IKO kitesurfing school based in North Down. Certified IKO Level 2 Instructor with over 12 years of teaching experience. Focused on delivering the highest levels of service on a personal level.
We only use the latest and best kitesurfing equipment…

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Maghera Church And Round Tower

Newcastle

Address

Carrigs Road, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0JT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Maghera Church and Round Tower is of major historical importance and is among many important heritage sites throughout County Down.

Price
Free

More Info
Ultimate SUP NI

Donaghadee

Address

114 Killaughey Road, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0BE

Telephone
+44 (0) 7717 777 995

ultimatesupni@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Canoeing

Ultimate SUP NI provides efoiling lessons and experiences along side its very popular Paddle Boarding (SUP) school.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)