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: 337

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
677 reviews
Castle Ward

Strangford

Address

Downpatrick Road, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7BA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4488 1204

castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Discover a place of contrasts and creativity at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion and estate looking out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down where visitors can explore cultivated gardens, sheltered woodland and…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Lyons Karting

Royal Hillsborough

Address

112 Comber Road, Ballyhomra, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6NA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9266 3213

lkteambuilding@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Motor Sports and Karting

A fantastic, professionally run, fast flowing go-karting circuit in Northern Ireland. Five minutes from Lisburn and five minutes from Royal Hillsborough village.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
159 reviews
Delamont Country Park

Killyleagh

Address

90 Downpatrick Road, Killyleagh, County Down, BT30 9TZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

delamont.park@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Public Park

Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh offers peace, beauty and tranquillity. The stunning views across Strangford Lough and the relaxing atmosphere make Delamont…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Charges apply for the parking of vehicles.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
344 reviews
The Ark Open Farm

Newtownards

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 0445

info@thearkopenfarm.co.uk

Type

Type:

Open Farm

The Ark Open Farm is a fantastic family day out; the farm itself is set in 40 acres of beautiful countryside between Newtownards and Bangor. It’s home to a huge selection of farm animals and some that are a little more exotic.

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Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1318 reviews
We Are Vertigo

Newtownbreda

Address

Cedarhurst Road, Newtownbreda Factory Estate, Newtownbreda, County Antrim, BT8 7RH

Telephone
+44 (0) 87 0066 1522

info@wearevertigo.com

Type

Type:

Indoor Play Area

With inflatable floors, inflatable doors, inflatable walls, inflatable falls you are invited to bounce, ski, play and climb at We are Vertigo. Explore The Mechanical sweeper, The Travelator, The Inflatable Ninja Area, The High Slides, The Wipeout…

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Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Rostrevor - Cloughmore Stone

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Walks though a woodland with steep climbs and hills in places

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
The Brandy Pad Smugglers Route - Mountain Ways Ireland

Newcastle

Address

Bloody Bridge, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Mountain Ways Ireland will guide you along The Brandy Pad ,a beautiful old Smuggling route through the heart of The High Mournes. Listen to the stories of the smugglers and the men who built the mighty Mourne wall.

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Nooks & Crannies of Legananny by E-Bike – Bike Mourne

Castlewellan

Address

The Forest Park, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

Experience Mourne by road with our self-guided tour of the Nooks & Crannies of Legananny by Electric Bike.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Lough Shannagh

Address

Co Down

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Lough Shannagh walk leads up hill on the 'Banns Road', an off road farm track. The route circles Lough Shannagh (in an anti-clockwise direction) with a high point of 587m at Carn Mountain. It also follows and crosses the Mourne Wall on places.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Krazi Baker Baking Classes

Dromore

Address

53 The Priory, Dromore, County Down, BT25 1TP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9269 8099

brandon.238@hotmail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Cookery School

In your baking class with Mark you’ll learn how to make the staple of traditional Irish griddle breads; potato bread and soda bread. You’ll also learn how to make the modern Focaccia bread and the traditional oven scone.

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Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Grave

Downpatrick

Address

35 English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 4922

info@downcathedral.org

Type

Type:

Cathedral

Down Cathedral, a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland with magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case was built in 1183 as a Benedictine Monastry. The patron saint, Patrick is believed to be buried in the nearby graveyard.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Cloughmore Trail via Fiddler's Green

Newry

Address

Newry, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Cloughmore Trail

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Welig Heritage Crafts - Willow Sculpture

Newtownards

Address

63 Cloughey Road, Nunsbridge, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 1NH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4277 1542

clivelyttle@btinternet.com

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

Welig Heritage Crafts produce traditional willow basketry, bespoke baskets and sculptural pieces; gardenware, living willow installations and rustic furniture. we also undertake other traditional countryside skills like chair seating and drystone.

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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.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
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.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Eastwell Farm Alpacas

Carrowdore

Address

6 Ballyblack Road East, Carrowdore, County Down, BT22 2HH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7734 905 152

eastwellfarm@gmail.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Whether you're on holiday, celebrating a special occasion, looking for a unique adventure with the kids or just mad about alpacas, this experience will be one to remember and a great activity for all to enjoy. All visits are personal and cater to…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
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Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Eden Pottery

Millise

Address

218 Abbey Road, Millise, Down, BT22 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9186 2300

sales@edenpotteryshop.co.uk

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

Eden Pottery's studio, shop and café are set in the countryside of Ards Peninsula, surrounded by fields, with Strangford Lough on one side and beaches and the seaside on the other. You can come along and create your own masterpiece in the studio.

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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Walk Saint Patrick's Way

Downpatrick

Address

Saint Patrick's Square, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 9000

sales@saintpatrickcentre.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Walk in the footsteps of Saint Patrick on Saint Patrick’s Way and discover his story with our Pilgrim Guides around the beautiful medieval town of Downpatrick.

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Slieve Donard from Bloody Bridge

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This walk begins in the Bloody Bridge car park (on the coast), follows the Bloody Bridge River and then follows the Mourne Wall to the summit of Slieve Donard (850m).

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)