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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Number of results: 334

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Reservoir Views

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A strenuous day walk passing through the heart of the Mournes

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Bangor Abbey

Bangor

Address

Newtownards Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4JF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Abbey / Priory

Founded in 558AD the main body of the building dates from 1830's, the tower from 15th century and steeple dates around 1693. Interesting gravestones include a memorial to the assistant surgeon of the Titanic, local man John Edward Simpson.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Mourne Road Tours - Craft Brewery Tour

Castlewellan

Address

Drumee Gardens, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7368 529 714

info@mourne-road-tours.co.uk

Type

Type:

Brewery/Distillery Tour

Northern Ireland has become one of the most prominent players in the craft beer and gin boom across the world, and this exciting tour will take you to visit three of the region’s biggest players in the industry.

More Info
Clandeboye Way – Helen’s Bay to Whitespots Country Park

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A woodland walk on a mix of old lanes and tracks

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Edenmore Golf & Country Club

Craigavon

Address

67A Steps Road, Donaghcloney, Edenmore, Magheralin, Craigavon, Co Armagh, BT66 7NZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9261 9241

info@edenmore.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Set deep in the Lagan Valley, Edenmore Golf & Country Club is just 20 minutes from Belfast. The Club has a range of facilities for all visitors, including an 18 hole championship Golf Course, Spa, Restaurant, Fitness Suite and onsite accommodation.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
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 2025to31 Dec 2025

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Field of Dreams Field Sports

Bangor

Address

55 Upper Gransha Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7QE

Telephone
07872 837 056

info@fieldofdreamsni.com

Type

Type:

Target Sports

Field of Dreams offers a range of field sports, including clay shooting, archery, and air rifle shooting, perfect for family gatherings, corporate events, and stag and hen parties. With expert guidance, safety briefings, and all necessary gear…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Royal County Down Golf Club

Newcastle

Address

36 Golf Links Road, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 3314

golf@royalcountydown.org

Type

Type:

Links Golf Course

Royal County Down is located in one of the world's most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Killynether Wood

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Woodland walk with excellent views of surrounding countryside

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Strangford Yacht Charter

Address

30 Clea Lough Road, Killyleagh, Co Down, BT30 9SY

Telephone
+44 (0) 7836327272

skipper@strangfordyachtcharter.com

Type

Type:

Boat Tours

Cruise in style and comfort around the sheltered waters of Strangford Lough and beyond onboard a luxury motor yacht.

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Heli Power

Newtownards

Address

61 Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 8SG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 1971

info@helipower.co.uk

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Heli Power is a well established Helicopter flight training school for beginners or experienced flyers. We also offer tours of Northern Ireland, transport for wedding and golf parties and many more tailor made packages.

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Comber Leisure Centre

Comber

Address

Castle Street, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9187 4350

comberlc@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre

Comber has a modern well equipped gym and separate heavy weights room, book any number of fitness classes or why not take time to relax and unwind in our health suite.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tollymore Forest Park - River Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Having descended the Azalea Walk to the Shimna River, the trail turns upstream along the attractive tree lined river bank past the Hermitage to cross the river at Parnell's Bridge. The 10 metre cascade fall is most spectacular.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Holywood Motte

Holywood

Address

Brook Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9BB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Holywood Motte is an Anglo-Norman castle mound, which probably had a ditch round its base and a timber palisade round the summit.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Gransha Equestrian Centre

Bangor

Address

10 Kerrs Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7QD

Telephone
+44 (0) 7855 462 614

granshariding@yahoo.com

Type

Type:

Equestrian

At Gransha Equestrian Centre we welcome beginners and more experienced riders. We can taylor a ride out or lesson in any of our 4 arenas to suit your individual requirements on our lovely horses and ponies, accompanied by our friendly qualified staff

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bike Mourne

Address

Various Locations, Castlewellan/Rostrevor/Newcastle, County Down

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling and Mountain Biking

Experience the Mournes by bike on road, track and trail with the guided and self-guided bike and electric bike tours or do it yourself with bike and electric bike hire. Explore the majestic mountains, dramatic coasts, stunning landscapes,…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
135 reviews
Ballyholme Beach

Bangor

Address

Bank's Lane, Groomsport Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5EG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

The mile long crescent of sandy beach curving along Ballyholme bay has been a favourite sea bathing spot for generations.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Windmill Hill

Portaferry

Address

Windmill Hill, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Viewpoint

Situated on the hill south east of the town below the stump of Portaferry Windmill, a lay by and a viewpoint has been provided. One can enjoy a breath-taking view of Strangford Lough from the mouth of the Lough to Greyabbey.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Kilbroney Graveyard

Rostrevor

Address

Kilbroney Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3GG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3170

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

'Cill Bhronaigh', or Bronagh’s Church (12th century), is located in the graveyard just outside Rostrevor on the Hilltown Road. The graveyard contains Saint Bronagh’s Cross, dating from the late 8th century and a ruined 15th century building.

Price
Free

More Info
The Market Cross

Newtownards

Address

High Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7HZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

At the east of High Street in Newtownards the Market Cross was built in 1636 but was destroyed by Commonwealth troops in 1653.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)