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: 333

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Tyrella Beach

Clough

Address

Clanmaghery Road, Clough, County Down, BT30 8SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

delamont.park@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Beach

Tyrella beach and conservation area is a small, enclosed dune complex within Dundrum Bay. It is a wide, flat, sandy beach two kilometres long and backed by 25 hectares of mature dunes in a conservation area.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply) - Parking Charges apply from Easter to September (weekends only) & July & August (daily) 10am - 6pm. www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/parking
Parking & Transport
- Parking (charge) - Parking Charges apply from Easter to September (weekends only) & July & August (daily) 10am - 6pm. www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/parking
Bangor Castle (City Hall)

Bangor

Address

Castle Park Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TF

Telephone
+44 (0) 300 013 3333

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

This impressive building was built for the Hon Robert Edward Ward and his family in 1852. It is presently the headquarters of Ards and North Down Borough Council who use the mansions spectacular grand salon as the council chamber.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Downpatrick Golf Centre

Downpatrick

Address

1 Ballywarren Road, Ballywarren, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7DY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 4645

p.stranney@btinternet.com

Type

Type:

Driving Range

Downpatrick golf centre is a state of the art driving range with 10 covered bays and 11 outside mats, short game area and Tour green putting green. Each bay has automatic Power Tees and are floodlit.

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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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Harry Ferguson Memorial Garden

Dromore

Address

39 - 45 Magheraconluce Road, Dromore, County Down, BT26 6FL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9269 2110

b.forsythe@hotmail.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historial figure

The Harry Ferguson Memorial Garden is set opposite the Ferguson Homestead and exhibits a life size bronze statue of Harry Ferguson.

Price
Free

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Mourne Mountains

Annalong

Address

Unit 3, Cornmill Quay, Annalong, Co Down, BT34 4QJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 4059

mht@mourne.co.uk

Type

Type:

Natural Feature

"Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea" (Percy French) The popular song has made the Mournes the best known mountains in Ireland. Distinctive and self contained, they are tucked away in the south east corner of Northern Ireland.…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
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)
Ballymacormick Point

Bangor

Address

Bangor, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Rocky coastal path with some steep steps.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
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.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises - Restaurant is Family Friendly. Everyone Welcome.
Dundrum Castle Woods Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Dundrum Castle Woods

More Info
Facilities

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

Ardglass

Address

4 Castle Place, Ardglass, County Down, BT30 7TP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4484 1219

golf@ardglassgolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Links Golf Course

Located 30miles from Belfast on the beautiful County Down coast, Ardglass Golf Club is links as it should be.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Electric Mountain Biking on the Rostrevor Red Trail – Bike Mourne

Rostrevor

Address

Rostrevor Forest Park, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Mountain Biking Trails

Experience the exhilaration of the Rostrevor Red Mountain Bike Trail by E-Bike with our Self-Guided Trail Package

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Slieve Donard, Commedagh and Bearnagh

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Challenging walk in the Mournes, including the two highest peaks

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Mountain Sojourns

Newcastle

Address

195 South Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0HA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 5433

info@mountainsojourns.co.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Holiday

Fiona is an internationally qualified Mountain Leader,offering informative guided mountain hikes and Nordic Walking for groups in Mourne Mountains & Forest Parks in County Down. Other activities include mountain challenges& team building activities.

More Info
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
Rockmount Golf Club

Carryduff, Belfast

Address

28 Drumalig Road, Carryduff, Belfast, County Antrim, BT8 8EQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9081 2279

info@rockmountgolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

This masterpiece combines scenic Mourne Mountain views and testing conditions for golfers of all standards. The course has been cleverly designed so that the natural terrain is incorporated throughout the 18 holes.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Discover the Old Gaol of Down

Downpatrick

Address

County Down Museum, The Mall, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5218

mail@downcountymuseum.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Discover the old Goal of Down, 1796-1830, Find out about its prisoners. Investigate 1798 and Thomas Russell. Follow the story of transportation to Australia. Explore the story with an expert guide.

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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
Cairn Wood Trails

Newtownards

Address

21 Craigantlet Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4TE

Telephone
0300 013 3333

outdoor@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Explore our mixed woodland with five scenic trails that lead you through the forest and to stunning viewpoints. The trails are a favourite among families and local dog walkers.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Car parking is free of charge Disabled parking for cars is available with one EV charging point alongside the disabled parking.
Dundrum Heritage Trail

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle Visitor Information Centre, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

newcastle.vic@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Dundrum Heritage Trail takes you on a journey through the village and tells the story of the commercial and maritime heritage - Trail map available to download at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk or from Newcastle Visitor Information Centre.

More Info