Just beyond Belfast, County Down is a place of quiet, unhurried beauty and spectacularly diverse landscapes: from sleepy lough-side villages and shorelines rich in wildlife to the dramatic peaks of the Mourne Mountains. It's one of Northern Ireland's most rewarding corners for slow travel, and one that reveals itself best to those in no particular hurry.

Strangford Lough is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a UNESCO Global Geopark and an Area of Special Scientific Interest. With rare wildlife, sweeping gardens, ancient monastic ruins and grand historic homes scattered across more than 100 miles of shoreline, all of it is best explored at your own pace.

To the south, the Mournes offer some of the most dramatic scenery in Northern Ireland, whether you're drawn to the stillness of a forest park or seeking thrill of conquering the highest peaks. And throughout the county, a strong food and drink scene means a day outdoors is never far from somewhere worth stopping.

Ruins, Shorelines & Wild Places

History and nature sit comfortably alongside each other here. A morning might begin on the stony shores near the whitewashed cottages of historic Kearney Village, followed by an afternoon among the crumbling 12th-century ruins of Inch Abbey - a Game of Thrones® filming location - before the day ends over fresh seafood at The Lobster Pot in Strangford village.

Whether you're winding along the beautiful Lough Shore Road past Ballyhenry Island towards Portaferry, or skirting the western shores around Whiterock Bay and Sketrick Island, the journey here is as pleasurable as the destination. The ferry crossing from Portaferry to Strangford is a case in point - barely 10 minutes linking the Ards and Lecale peninsulas, but long enough to take in pretty village views, green hillsides and wildlife-rich water.

Getting out on the lough itself is one of the great experiences of any visit. A boating, kayaking or paddleboarding tour with Strangford Lough Activity Centre opens up a world of shipwrecks, island settlements, seals, herons, buzzards and the occasional dolphin, all set against a backdrop of old abbeys and lobster fishermen working the bays.

Kearney Village

  • Kearney Road

A showpiece village carefully restored by the National Trust to give the authenticity of a traditional fishing village. The village lies three miles…

Kearney Village

Inch Abbey

  • Inch Abbey Road

Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey. The…

Inch Abbey

Strangford Lough Ferry

  • 1 The Slip

The Strangford Lough Ferry links the beautiful Ards Peninsula to the scenic Lecale Peninsula and the villages of Strangford and Portaferry, crossing a…

Strangford Lough Ferry

The Land Of Saints & Settlers

Vikings, Normans and medieval monks have all left their mark on Strangford. St Patrick himself once walked these shores, and you can trace his route from the lough to Saul Church and on to his final resting place at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, also home to the St Patrick Centre.

On Mahee Island near Comber, the 5th-century monastic site of Nendrum sits surrounded by navy-blue water and open green fields - the kind of place that has a way of making whatever you were worrying about feel very far away. Grey Abbey and Inch Abbey offer equally atmospheric ruins in tranquil settings, where birdsong and rustling leaves fill the silence. At Castle Ward, the unique mix of architectural styles across this 18th-century estate is a rewarding wander in itself.

Nearby, the village of Killyleagh is home to the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland, built in the Loire Valley château style. Just beside it, The Dufferin Arms - a characterful old coaching inn - is a reliable stop for good local food and a well-poured pint.

Saul Church

  • Saul Road

Two miles outside Downpatrick, this church was built in 1932, to commemorate Saint Patrick's first church in Ireland. Close by, on the crest of Slieve…

Saul Church

The Saint Patrick Centre

  • 53A Market Street

The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the World about Ireland’s Patron Saint. The History of Ireland starts here in…

The Saint Patrick Centre

Nendrum Monastic Site

  • Mahee Island

Nendrum is thought to have been set up by St Machaoi in the 5th Century and also has links to St Patrick in later sources. The monastery consists of 3…

Nendrum Monastic Site

Grey Abbey

  • Main Street

Along with Inch Abbey, Greyabbey is the best example of Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture in Ulster and was the daughter house of Holm Cultram…

Grey Abbey

Inch Abbey

  • Inch Abbey Road

Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey. The…

Inch Abbey

Castle Ward

  • Downpatrick Road

Castle Ward, the unusual double sided mansion house stands amongst gentle parkland looking over Strangford Lough. The working estate once included a…

Castle Ward

Dufferin Arms

  • 35 High Street

The Dufferin Arms stands at the top of the High Street which is bordered at one end by Killyleagh's fairytale castle and at the other by Strangford…

Dufferin Arms

From Geese To Gardens & Grand Estates

Along the Portaferry Road on the eastern shores, Mount Stewart is one of the lough's defining treasures and ranks among the top ten gardens in the world, a carefully considered balance of formal design and natural beauty.

For something wilder, Castle Espie Wetland Centre is the perfect activity for the whole family. Explore the nature reserve with walking paths through both the wetlands and woodlands, with bird hides and viewpoints throughout the trails. You can also get up close to the ducks and geese, with daily guided talks and handfeeding sessions.

At Montalto Estate in Ballynahinch, sumptuous gardens and enchanting walking trails lead naturally to an afternoon tea and a private house tour. With over 8km of beautifully curated trails and gardens, including a secluded private walled garden, visitors can enjoy seasonal walks through the estate - including its the dedicated dog park - making it ideal families, walkers and garden lovers alike.

Mount Stewart

  • Portaferry Road

Mount Stewart, located on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down, is Northern Ireland’s much loved family home. Following a three year…

Mount Stewart

Mount Stewart Lake Walk

  • Portaferry Road

Mount Stewart, located on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down, is Northern Ireland’s much loved Londonderry family home. Following a…

Mount Stewart Lake Walk

Montalto Estate

  • Spa Road

Nestled in the breathtaking County Down countryside, Montalto Estate is an enchanting 18th-century Georgian estate offering a five-star visitor…

Montalto Estate

A Serious Food Scene

Settled on some of the most fertile land on the island of Ireland, Strangford punches well above its weight when it comes to eating well. The 19th-century Old Post Office in Lisbane, The Artisan Cookhouse in Strangford, and both The Poacher's Pocket and Balloo House in Killinchy are all well worth a visit.

For more immersive food experiences, a tour of the Echlinville Distillery just outside Newtownards is a fine introduction to the area's whiskey culture, while A Wee Taste of Strangford Lough with Indie Füde offers a broader culinary tour of the area. Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen connects seasonal local food with the land through baking experiences and a particularly enjoyable Canoe and Cake outing, a good reminder that this corner of Northern Ireland is sometimes called the Garden of the North.

Finnebrogue Woods, a 230-acre estate just outside Downpatrick, takes that connection further still: think feasts in tents, wild cooking courses, seasonal foraging and camping. Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes' Foraging Walk and Bushcraft Cookery Course offers a similar field-to-plate experience at a gentle, exploratory pace.

The Poacher’s Pocket

  • 181 Killinchy Road

Originally established in the 1800’s as an old coaching inn, The Poacher’s Pocket is situated in the heart of picturesque County Down. This Michelin…

The Poacher’s Pocket

Balloo House

  • Balloo House

Nestled in the County Down countryside near the shores of Strangford Lough this beautiful country pub and restaurant successfully combines history…

Balloo House

The Echlinville Distillery

  • 62 Gransha Road

You’ll find Echlinville Distillery in the drumlin country of the Ards Peninsula. Up here, in the north east corner of the Island, the uniquely…

The Echlinville Distillery

Indie Füde - Comber HQ

  • 30 Castle Street

Indie Füde is a deli, but not like any other… Their name originates from thier two main philosophies:indigenous and independent…

Indie Füde - Comber HQ

Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes

  • Ballyburren, 143 Dromore Road

Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes — Curated Outdoor Experiences in Nature Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes is an award-winning nature destination set…

Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes

Discover The Mourne Mountains

The Mourne Mountains rise dramatically to the south of County Down. Scale Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, follow the trails to the Silent Valley Mountain Park or explore the many myths and legends that are woven through the peaks on a walking tour with Walk The Mournes.

Tollymore Forest Park, where rivers wind beneath stone bridges and gothic follies at the foot of the mountains, is equally special. With a variety of walking routes available through the 630 hectare park and interesting curiosities at every turn, it's open year-round and perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Walk the Mournes

  • 56 Burren Road

The Mourne Mountains are quiet now. It is a place to take in wide views of summits and spectacular valleys, to breathe deep and relax in the mountain…

Walk the Mournes

Tollymore Forest Park

  • Bryansford Road

Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.  Covering…

Tollymore Forest Park