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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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

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Kiltonga Nature Reserve

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Lakeland walk with wildfowl

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
804 reviews
Tollymore Forest Park

Newcastle

Address

Bryansford Road, Tollymore Park, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0PR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 2428

customer.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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
Hillmount BBQ Academy

Gilnahirk, Belfast

Address

56/58 Upper Braniel Road, Gilnahirk, Belfast, County Antrim, BT5 7TX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 8213

alan@hillmount.co.uk

Type

Type:

Cookery School

Hillmount offers one of the largest BBQ Showrooms in Ireland with trained specialists to help you make the right decision when choosing your BBQ. View our full range of gas and charcoal grills online at www.hillmount.co.uk.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Ring of Gullion Coach Tours

Crossmaglen

Address

Crossmaglen Community Centre, O'Fiaich Square, Crossmaglen, Armargh, BT35 9AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3082 8590

info@ringofgullion.org

Type

Type:

Coach Tour

With the hazy, lazy days of the summer to look forward to; it’s time to look at getting out and about discovering areas of this great land. Have you heard of the Ring of Gullion, but don’t know much about it?

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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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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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Mourne, Cooley, Gullion Way

Newcastle

Address

Mourne Mountains, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0NQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

This breath-taking route is unique mix of three waymarked ways which remain largely undiscovered by the tourist. The 6000 year -old Sand dunes of Murlough bay and beach walking is a nice lead into this stunning cross-border walk.

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St Cooey's Wells

Portaferry

Address

Ballyquintin Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

The church at St Cooey’s Wells is thought to date from the 7th century but only the foundation stones now remain. The Washing, Eye and Drinking wells in this peaceful, wooded dell are reputed to have healing powers.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
152 reviews
Silent Valley Mountain Park

Kilkeel

Address

Head Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4HU

Telephone
+44 (0)345 7440 088

waterline@niwater.com

Type

Type:

Lake / Reservoir

The Silent Valley Reservoir was built to gather water from the Mourne Mountains and is the main water supply source for most of County Down and a large part of Belfast. The famous Mourne Wall was constructed to enclose the reservoir's catchment area.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Comber

Address

The Manse, 15 Windmill Hill, Comber, County Down, BT23 5EQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9187 2265

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church was built on a site donated by James Andrews and the stained glass windows in the church depict family members. Members of the Andrews family are also buried in the graveyard.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Meelmore and Meelbeg

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A moderate circular walk in the High Mournes, summiting two of the seven highest peaks in the region, Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Walk the Mournes

Warrenpoint

Address

56 Burren Road, Warrenpoint, County Down, BT34 3SA

Telephone
+44 (0) 7974768831

peter@walkthemournes.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

If these mountains could speak, they’d tell tales of hermits, smugglers and fugitives... Join Peter for an unforgettable walking experience amongst the most fabulous scenery.

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Stricklands Glen

Bangor

Address

Bryansburn Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 3SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

An enchanting park leading onto the North Down Coastal Path.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

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